Generally, there are two types of wood floors: "real" wood and engineered or laminate.
Engineered floors are sometimes called by the brand name, "Pergo," after the Scandinavian brand that took the United States by storm perhaps a decade or more ago.
Engineered wood flooring is a particleboard or plywood base, with either a real wood top or a laminated picture of wood grain on the top of the board, the part you see when it's installed.
Either way you go, there are benefits, shortcomings, and pitfalls to each.
But across the board, remember that water is generally the enemy of all floors made of wood.
When we're talking about water, we're talking about all types, including water vapor, standing/spilled water, and humidity in general.
Installation for each variety is accomplished using the same general techniques, and the number of varieties available is extensive.
As mentioned, humidity is a factor to consider, and it could be a major factor in deciding on wood flooring in Tampa, for example, where the general atmosphere is much more humid than in Idaho, where it's much drier.
Humidity can cause swelling in wood floors after they're installed, especially the laminate ones, where the particle board base can absorb a lot of water, ruining a wood floor.
So when you're considering installing a wood floor in your home, you should consult with an installer who works in your locality, and he can help you determine if your climate, and your lifestyle, will work well for having wood floors installed.