Because laminate flooring is not glued down it may be laid over an existing floor. It is referred to as a floating floor. It is available in wood -grains and stone looks, as strips or as square tiles. It has great wearability, is stain resistant and easy to maintain. Sweep regularly and damp mop.
Real wood is available in a variety of species and stains such as maple, oak or cherry.
It can either be laid raw and finished in your home or purchased pre-finished. It wears well and can be resanded and refinished. Never wax a urethane-finished floor and always call a professional to recoat it when needed. It is durable and comfortable to walk on. It is a great temperature and acoustic insulator.