The nearest product to a hardwood floor is a laminate floor. Made of compressed wood fibers and resin, laminate construction makes an extremely sturdy and durable pressed wood board. Although it acts and feels like hardwood, it can be more than half the price – often less expensive than even carpet. Laminate won't fade in the sun, the upper wear layer of melamine withstands scratching, and it will even resist stains. Best of all, the tongue and groove edge construction makes laminate flooring installation easier than installing hardwood. Since laminate is considered a floating floor and doesn't need to be physically attached to a subfloor, no glue, mastic, nails or screws are needed either. If a laminate floor is damaged, the repair is as simple as swapping the damaged board for a new one.