FYI - The gaps between the laminate planks are due to reaction with the home's atmosphere, or the general SG weather. Laminate Flooring is made from wood and wood reacts to climate weather like metal and water. Although Laminate Flooring is partially man-made, it still consists of natural wood compound on the origins of where the laminate is being manufactured.
Laminate Flooring is 100% compressed wood fibre (eco grade) & moslty used in SG context is 8mm - 9.5mm thick ( rarely you may come across 12mm), thus the reason for some hollowness found in all brands of LF. However with a little modification of the "underlay" you can ask for "rubber" instead of the standard "foam" used in the installation process, some brands of LF comes with "built in" rubber underlay, it will vastly reduce the "hollowness" and providing a more solid feel (like a thicker LM) when walking bare foot on it. It serves 2 purpose for a simple solution.
Besides going straight to Solid / Timber Flooring, you may ask yourself if you are ready for the "maintenace" of it all, do you mind having to see "natural" scratch lines on the floor, how long do you intend to live in your home/house ? For me I love solid wood feel because they have natural wood lines and hardness is definitely there, i would even stain my solid wood to a different color tone every time when i need to re-polish them but unless I have deep pockets and I have a maid to take care of the chores for me.
Using Engineered Wood will be somewhere in between the 2 mentioned above , half man-made, half natural... cost in between too and doesn't have "gaps" after months or years. It also offers natural wood grains or "stained" versions.
I hope i cleared some air for you...
