You could go with the tiles that look like wood and then maybe you would both be happy. They come in many colors are really easy to care for, but the install requires new sub floor and a lot of time . New sub floor will be needed usually anytime you install tile as you can't have movement in the floor. Just so he knows. Why is he so adamant about tile?

Hi there I thought I would jump in here a touch as you are on the right track but there are some glaring points that need to be cleared up for you before you go and purchase flooring. Laminate flooring is a Hi Def image of Timber flooring/oak/Natural Species etc and then transposed using a heat method to a MDF or HDF core, then profiled with a click system for ease of installation, maintenance relocation and repair. Good laminate flooring (Quikstep or Krono Swiss) can be very rewarding , look very much like natural timber, and be very durable against scratching and indentation. Laminates nemesis is high saturation of water or moisture. Good e budget solution for all living areas and rooms except toilets bathroom or laundrys. Engineered boards are a veneer of Natural timber and are just as durable as the solid version of whatever species you choose. Whether that be Spotted Gum, Jarrah or Oak. Sorry but you CAN re sand engineered boards. When re sanding occurs through a professional sander, the top .5mm is the depth of the product that you generally ever really need to remove. Some engineered flooring has a 6mm wear layer/ veneer and that's more than if you purchased a solid 19mm raw timber floor. Engineered boards are less likely "cup"(edge of the boards rising so that you can see a little lip) than a solid. We would recommend that if you are considering a timber floor please consult a retailer that only handles timber and specializes in that medium. Hope this helped

Hi, Choice of flooring would have to depend on the style you are looking to achieve. If you're going for industrial all three would be suitable but depend of the rest of the design. For something like a Hampton's home I would go with wood. Wood is probably the kindest under foot out of the 3 surfaces and feels the warmest. So I guess the answer depends on the design you are going for. Hope this helps, MKG

I am assuming , when you say living area , you have a separate dining area ? This will be mainly couches and similar seating ? I love the wooden floor , and the tiles in the 2 pictures Dreamer posted , although here's the funny thing -- enlarge the pics , and they look ( IMO ) busy but also 'cold' . Why I asked about dining is that I would personally carpet that area in a neutral cream or wheat , as it feels nice but also feels warmer , and then double down with a rug similar to Dreamers tiles -- a light 'faded' blue on a neutral background ) so it isn't too much ( a full carpet in that tone may do ) . Furniture , buffet , coffee table etc in complimentary tones would give the room a really warm and inviting look , whereas I always feel tiles look colder and better suited to dining/kitchen/bath/laundry . But I'm weird . . . . . . . . .