"Shead, the price for real wood would mean we'd have to take out the laminate, plus the tile underneath it, and then prep the floor with a moisture barrier. Then the price per square foot for wood is a couple of dollars higher than the laminate. So, it would be almost double the price, and we have a pool, so we have to deal with water being tracked in, and the the flooring would be in the kitchen where my husband and 1.5 year old constantly splatter/spill water." I see. Removing tile is a PITA. We've only installed LVT over concrete or subfloor in applications where we needed a true budget flooring (DH did the install in a basement and in a mobile home on our farm). Is it safe to install over laminate that's bubbling and pealing. DH's aunt installed it over tile so I know that's fine.

Update! As luck would have it, the first floor I ordered didn’t work out due to supply chain issues from the pandemic. I think it was a blessing in disguise though because I found a new floor that I liked even better! I think it still goes with my farmhouse/old world look that I like...but also has a classic look that could go with any style. It took us a long time to get started, but we finally are in the process of laying it down. I really think it has the lighter “white oak” look that @jhmarie and @SJ McCarthy suggested. And I’m so thankful for those suggestions, because I don’t think I would’ve been happy with anything darker. This is definitely helping to keep that light/bright look I was hoping for! Here are some sneak peeks, I’ll post more once it’s completed. I also have to paint all of the trim, doors and my kitchen island white.

Carpet is the FASTEST, least expensive product that will offer the least amount of upset to your home. I'm assuming you will be working within an insurance claim amount? If you ask for a pay-out from the insurance company, what is the total dollar amount they are willing to pay? How many square feet do you have to finish?

In order from top to bottom and left to right it's: 1. medium brown, 2. antique brown, 3. jacobean, 4. jacobean and graphite (out), 5. medium brown and gray, 6. something with ebony (out) 7. jacobean and gray (out)