When it comes to flooring, it’s comfort vs. cost

Watch any episode of HGTV’s House Hunters and it’s clear that hardwood floors provide the ‘wow’ factor for those in pursuit of a new home.

Local flooring salespeople agree, saying that hardwood floors, or their look-a-like laminates, are top sellers.

Real hardwood floors are still big in newly constructed homes, said Vicki Crook, office manager at Valley Carpet in Bay City.

But homeowners that are remodeling and upgrading floors prefer laminates, Crook said.

Laminate floors look like real wood, are one-half-inch thick or less, and with their floating, tongue-in-groove, snap-in construction, can be easily installed overtop of existing floors.

But their best feature may be that they are scratch and dent resistant, making them ideal for families with children, pets, or both.

“The only thing more durable than a laminate is ceramic tile,” Crook said.

A home may have an existing wood floor that has been carpeted for many years and is in poor condition. Covering the floor with a laminate is often easier and not nearly as messy as tearing the floor out or sanding it down.

Laminate floors cost less, too, Crook said.

“They’re less expensive than real wood, which has to be nailed, stapled or glued,” she said.

Don Grubb, owner of D & R Floor Covering, 515 Vance Road, said that while he sells a lot of wood laminate floors, the real deal is the first choice for his customers.

“It’s a good value,” Grubb said. “It’s something that is pretty much a permanent floor for the home, as compared to carpeting or vinyl, which would be more temporary. Wood also has a natural beauty and warmth that you can’t get with vinyl.”

But vinyl has become a more popular option over the last year or so, Crook said. Vinyl is less expensive, is durable and easy to maintain, she said. Another reason for its comeback may be that in an uncertain economy people often will go back to something they know and trust, she said.

Engineered wood flooring is made by pressing and gluing several layers of plastic laminate veneer and real wood together. It is different from a laminate floor in that laminate does not contain any real wood.

It’s advantage is that it has the beauty of a solid wood floor, but is more stable in areas where there is high humidity, Grubb said. It is perfect for homes that are located next to lakes, he said, and can be used in basements.

But it’s not necessarily less expensive, he said.

“It really takes more of a manufacturing process to create them,” he said.

When buying engineered flooring, look for a surface layer that is at least two millimeters thick, he said.

Whether installing a hardwood, laminate or engineered floor, a homeowner will have to decide what color to use. In general, light-colored woods may be more stylish in casual rooms, while darker stains may look better in more formal rooms. But, as with most decorating choices, a homeowner’s budget and personal style are what matter most.

The hardness of the wood is also important, with Brazilian cherry being one of the most durable flooring woods, according to the Janka system, which assigns a rating based on how much force is needed to embed a steel ball into the wood.

Flooring is also graded on things such as color, grain and markings. Wood that is harder and more consistent in grain and color tends to be more expensive.

While hardwood and laminate floors remain the No. 1 choice for homeowners, carpeting also remains a top seller, Crook said, especially in bedrooms.

“People like the warm and fuzzy under their feet when they get up in the morning,” she said.

Rubber floors made from recycled tires and floors made from cork are also being used in more homes, Crook said. Both eco-friendly choices are attractive, are easy to clean and maintain and feel warm, offering some insulation.