Laminate Flooring	Solid Hardwood Flooring
DIY Install?	Very easy. Many types of laminate flooring even snap together--no glue.	Difficult for non-professionals to install.
Cost	Laminate wins. You can buy laminate flooring at a relatively low price,just a fraction of solid woods.	They are relatively costly depending on type of wood but generally costs several times the cost of laminates
Durability	Expect 10-15 years of use.	Hardwood flooring will last a lifetime and more.
Refinish?	Laminate flooring cannot be refinished.	Solid hardwood can be refinished dozens of times.
Resale Value?	Some premium laminate flooring has moderate resale value.	A well-maintained hardwood floor has better resale value than laminate.
Appearance?	For a distance, quality laminate flooring is indistinguishable from the real product.	Solid hardwood floor is attractive--even cheaper types like red or white oak.
Below-Grade Installation?	Laminate flooring can be installed below-grade.	It is not recommended to install solid hardwood flooring below-grade
Moist Environment?	Similar to the question above. Laminate behaves moderately well in moist areas such as bathrooms.	Not recommended in moist areas.