@ triggstudio24 - thank you for pointing out (via the quote from your flooring friend) that there are MANY levels of "Armstrong Vinyl"...and that you Luxe Plank is the top of the top. Too many people forget that what you see in a big box store isn't the same quality as what you see at "fine flooring stores" locally run by the owners. There can be huge differences in quality when it comes to big name "off branding" to the big box stores. It is very confusing for people shopping for flooring.

I'm not overly concerned about it looking like exactly like wood, because for me the practicality and price are paramount, living in a rural area with a busy family. I'll have a kitchen open to the dining room and living room, and I don't want hardwood in the kitchen. And I do like the idea of a clean look with the same flooring throughout. Plus I grew up with hardwood floors in a NYC prewar apartment, so I have particular expectations for hardwood : ) . Though I have to say that even the TrafficMaster Allure has fooled a lot of people, including visitors from Europe who live with hardwood themselves. And our dining room has windows on three sides, so it gets a lot of light. Besides, I'm so thrilled with vinyl plank flooring that I'm happy to tell anyone who asks about the details.

We put a similar floor (light gray oak) in my daughter's condo almost 3 years ago and I love it. Keeps the whole house very light and airy, easy to clean with a damp miracle cloth (including graining you referred to). I say go for it!

Below are some of the Medieval Floors Nouvelle Collection Sand Dune engineering hardwood floors that I got from my installer. It's basically a nice natural wood color. The light does make a big different in the house though so you have to get a box to make sure. He said this is from a beautiful 6,000+ square feet home in Southern California and the customer stayed home to watch her installer installing the floors as she wants everything perfect. I would too if my house is THAT big and spending so much money already.