European Oak is a HIGH end product. That's why most of it in N. America is an engineered hardwood. Without knowing the brand that makes the E. Oak, I'm unable to offer any suggestions. A 'decent' Engineered E. Oak should run $10/sf. Anything less and you are purchasing cr@p.

The WPC cores are very very good. The vinyl on top will tell the tale. Since I'm seeing $2.99/sf I am guessing the product is 'ho hum'. The 0.5mm = 20mil wear layer. That's your basic, run of the mill vinyl product. It has an incorporated underpad which means you CANNOT add to it.

If you are comparing a mid-range vinyl ($4/sf is the beginning of 'good') then I can only assume you are looking at an engineered European Oak in the same price range. And that to me is SCARY.

Bel Air is the brand name for the Ancient World Collection - Sahara Oak. The Bel Air website no longer shows 'Sahara Oak' in their collection which means it is probably discontinued. Be VERY aware that you might run into issues later on if you need more.

And the Ancient World Collection is wire brushed (night mare) and hand scraped (more nightmares await). The finish is Aluminium Oxide (good) but the HEAVY TEXTURE makes these white-wood floors HELL to keep clean and oil stains are BAD! Like 'pull your hair out bad'.

If you only have $3/sf to spend, your medium grade WPC vinyl will perform better than a bottom of the barrel engineered hardwood.

Thank you so much for explaining all this to me! Now I have a better understanding. No to the Bel Air Ancient Wood Collection. The WPC vinyls is okay but it wont last long...

Do you have any recommendations as to which kind and brand I that is good from your experienc. I like the Natural wood look.

The type they use for the new construction Cape cod style homes. The reason I don’t want the European wood is because it needs to be maintained every so often. I’m so confused as to what to choose. I appreciate it so much for giving me details and info on these. Thank you Thank you!!!!!

What is your budget? Your budget will dictate the product you can purchase. The rule of thumb is: an EXCELLENT 'lower value' product will OUTPERFORM/OUTLAST a dirt-cheap 'high value' product for the same price.

Example: A HIGH END laminate (most people think laminate is of little value) will BE BETTER for longevity than a 'cheap as dirt' vinyl plank. Both will cost roughly $3/sf. The laminate will be made IN GERMANY and shipped to the USA/Canada. The 'cheaper than cheap' vinyl will be made in China using some of the worst materials.

A HIGH END vinyl will out perform a 'bargain' engineered hardwood found at a 'big box store' (like HD, Lowes, Lumber Liquidators, etc). Both will cost $6/sf. The vinyl will be the toughest of the tough and the thickest of the thick. The engineered hardwood will be made with a cheap veneer (possible harvested in Russia in Tiger Habitat) and will be thinner than a communion wafer.

Guess which one will outlast the other? Right. The vinyl will out live the nasty hardwood.

What is your budget? Where are you going to install the product?

I really like how you explained everything and very humorous. Made my day lol.

My budget is between $4 to $7 dollars per sq ft. I have two stories, bedrooms upstairs and kitchen, den, dining room, formal living room downstair. I either want to do all the same type of flooring (vinyl, laminate, engineered wood) or I want to do all of downstairs large square tiles white marble including the kitchen. I just don’t know it the vinyl or wood will last in the kitchen. I’m debating...but if it’s a good product and it will last I would go with the wood type flooring instead of tile. Thank you so much for all your suggestion. I really appreciate it! 😀

To put your mind at ease, vinyl has been used in kitchens since it was invented in the early part of the 20th century (as an 'every man's' linoleum which was out of reach for most people). Vinyl planks will most likely have a 25 year lifespan. You want to look for SPC or WPC core with a wear layer of 20mil or better. In this type of product you will be able to find some of the best products made for the $7/sf you want to pay. Installation is relatively cheap...it is just a snick more expensive than a laminate floor (in Canada we pay $2.50/sf for laminate and $3/sf for click together vinyl). Total cost = $10/sf installed.

A hardwood floor (solid is the gold standard...but not all situations can have solid) can be had in a non-fad colour (ie. natural colour of red oak) for $4.99/sf. It will be 3" wide and Common grade but still solid hardwood. White Oak can be had for $6/sf unfinished. Installation + finishing can be another $4/sf or so (often a snick less). Total cost = $10/sf installed.

A high-end laminate from Germany = $4-$5/sf. Total cost = $8.50 installed (includes a basic underpad).

Marble tile is another ball of wax. It may be 'cheap' to purchase but it is EXPENSIVE to install. Real stone takes real money to install. The lower-level marble tile can be had for $6/sf. The cost to install STONE is $15/sf in Canada. Total cost = $21/sf (ouch!).

You are a little better off with stone-look porcelain tile $5/sf. The installation is a little better but not by much. Total cost = $15-$17/sf.

You can see the cost of solid hardwood (nothing gray or wide plank...just regular solid hardwood in a regular 3" plank) is MUCH CHEAPER than stone or tile. Wood will last in a kitchen just as well as tile (longer than tile...most tiles 'date' quickly and will be removed in 20 years whereas wood is refinished for $5/sf and life goes on).

The aesthetic you are reaching for is HYPER trendy which means it will be dated before the end of the 2020's (that's 9 years from now....booo). A more traditional approach to the look of the flooring will give you an optic that does not date quite so quickly. Which is why I prefer a natural wood colour floor with a 'regular width' plank. No one will know it was laid in 2020. It could have been there since 1970 or 1980 or 1990, etc.

We are already seeing the death of gray (thanks be to G!). Middle America is still in the grips of the gray epidemic...but it will be winding down rather quickly. I would look to the newest trend = light natural coloured hardwoods.

Thank you! All of the information you gave me helped me make my decision. I will go with the Vinyl flooring but the lighter natural wood color. I agree with the gray floors being played out and everyone is over it now. The natural wood will remain in style for many years. The vinyl thats waterproof will cost me 2.50 per sq foot that I posted the picture.

Sorry for jumping in. I'm looking for light natural colored engineered wood flooring for my all house. I was considering Ancient World Collection - Ocean Breeze until I saw this post - "Ancient World Collection is wire brushed (night mare) and hand scraped (more nightmares await)" - SJ McCarthy - could you please let me know what the night mare is and what is causing it? Are there other brands/collections/colors you can recommend that will achieve the look without the nightmares? I would like to stick with engineered wood. I prefer around 5~6" wide, but will go wider if necessary to get the look I want. Thank you in advance. Going into this, I never thought this could get so complicated, but hopeful that your advice will be helpful.