I've loved the tile floors we've had in the past. Right now I have a 100+ year old stained pine floor. My plan is to strip it and polyeurethane it, because the maintenance is a bit much, and it is too dark for my taste. But I'd never replace it. THe home is 150 years old, and sometimes you tend to feel more like a caretaker for future years than simply an owner. If I had a newer home I'd go Pergo, everyone I know loves it. But good old tile (ceramic, quarry stone, etc) is great. The disadvantage of that is you MUST wear good shoes and have good cushioned rugs in front of your work spaces. It is very hard on your back to stand on tile for long periods of time.