Be sure not to confuse engineered wood with laminated wood products. Engineered is a top layer of hardwood with alternating layers of plywood beneath it for dimensional stability. The thickness of this top layer will determine how well it will wear. A nice product will wear like 3/4" solid hardwood. All you need to do is look at the sample in the store to see what kind of wear layer it has. Inexpensive engineered will have a paper thin layer that will wear away. Quality products can be refinished a couple of times in its lifetime. Engineered is appropriate for on and below grade applications. Good 3/4" solid will last you a lifetime and can be refinished many times. It does better in a stable humidity environment. Laminated products are a high quality image of wood place on mdf and wrapped in a moisture barrier. It is less expensive and generally durable, however it is not wood. Wood is softer, so it can scratch, scuff, ding and dent. It's warm visually and physically and is easier on joints. What you need to decide if you are ok with something that will age a bit, gain some character or if you are looking for something that will stay looking pristine down the road.

I don't think my mom has tried Bona. She uses Murphy's Oil pretty frequently and the floors looks decent after. But I noticed when I came to visit(I live in NC) that the oil polished and everything but also just seemed to highlight the worn bald areas. The only area that its possible to pull a switcheroo is the front hallway because there is a coat closet. @ C Wright- thank you very much! My mom is my best friend and this is my childhood home. It's important to me that my son have memories here and I think it deserves to look its best.

I'm with you wubbie! Cork (very soft hardwood wood) is a floor that gets "hidden" by so many people - it's as if this luxury wood floor finishing isn't good enough to be seen by a visitor; yet people show off their $0.49 laminate. If I had a spetacular hardwood, I would be showing it off in anyway possible. Yes area rugs are great to "define" areas in a great room...but that's all you need to do with them. BTW: if you work with cork...you won't need rugs...the floors will be beautiful, soft and warm. But I digress.

Do you still have any of the flooring left? You may be able to trim pieces to fit in those gaps. The threshold pieces in your picture appear to be plastic. They do make wood threshold that can be stained to match your floors. This would be less obvious than the light color shown. I'd suggest you contact a hardwood installer. It might cost you a little more than a DIY fix, but it's a small area and I think you'll be happier with the end result.