Engineered floors were invented to solve a specific problem and were never meant to replace carpet until it did.
Laminate is not wood, nor is it a floor. A photocopy of wood and a temporary floor cover, best define laminate. Laminate is made with synthetic materials or very thinly sliced pieces of wood.
Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) is a term used to refer to organic chemical compounds that evaporate while drying (volatile). Products that contain VOCs release vapors during use and storage that are often harmful to both humans and the environment.
The waste factor is not all about defects, in fact the defects cuts outs should never equal more than 10%. Unfinished real wood flooring is not like sticking down a laminate or clicking together an engineered floor