Laminate wood flooring is pressed composite wood overlaid with an image of various types of wood based to create a unique, yet familiar visual effect. This makes it a very cost-effective alternative to real hardwood. Laminate floor planks and laminate floor tiles give the look of stone or ceramic tiles.

Zebra Wood This is probably the most expensive hardwood floors in the world. It is an exotic wood with an appearance that resembles the striping of a zebra. The zebra wood was a favorite choice among the rich – it was used inside luxury cars such as Mercedes Benz, but also in Prada's flagship store in Manhattan.

Generally speaking, the hardest wood for flooring is Ipe (or Lapacho). However, this is very hard to find, due to its rarity. This also makes it a very expensive flooring product. Therefore, more widely available, and hardwearing are Hickory and Maple flooring.

Solid hardwood flooring is typically the most durable type of hardwood floor, especially when made from hard species like hickory, maple, or oak. It can withstand heavy foot traffic and can be sanded and refinished multiple times over its life span.