When home sellers begin thinking of ways to increase the value of their homes months before the sale, they're seeking to introduce design elements that will instantly grab prospective buyers' attention. Hardwood floors are one of the most sought-after design elements in homes today, whether they're old and well-preserved or brand new. Many new homebuyers purchase homes with the intention of remodeling certain features, including the floors.

But homebuyers and sellers often agree on one thing - real hardwoods can be pricey, and require extra care. So if you are pining (no pun intended) for wood floors for the look they create, you can have your cake and eat it, too.

That's where Pergo comes in. Pergo burst onto the scene four years ago and was introduced to the United States as a cheaper and more durable alternative to hardwood flooring, it's no wonder it took the nation by storm.

Pergo, originally introduced in Sweden by its manufacturer, Perstorp Flooring, has been popular in Europe for more than a decade. The material is actually high-pressure melamine laminate flooring consisting of individual planks, much like wood. Each plank contains three primary materials. The surface, a durable and wear-resistant laminate, is bonded to a wood-baesd core of specially developed moisture material that forms and then maintains an exact fit plank to plank. The core creates an extremely strong grip with Pergo glue, and a balancing layer is bonded to the back in order to ensure stability.

Pergo's top layer is a revolutionary combination of several different materials compressed together at a high temperature and pressure to create a durable composite. The top layer also contains three sublayers, each with different properties and functions:

• The surface layer is designed for structure and strength;
• The decorative layer contains the design of the Pergo; and
• The base layer is an insurance policy -- creating still more strength, heat resistance, and other protective properties.

Aside from its resemblance to wood, what are the advantages of selecting Pergo as opposed to carpeting?

• Pergo doesn't emit solvents potentially dangerous to your health; nor does it attract dirt, so Pergo helps your home both clean and healthy. In fact, Pergo has been installed in the American Lung Association's Health House.
• Unlike carpeting, Pergo does not leave indentation marks behind when heavy furniture is moved; nor does it leave heel marks.
• This will appeal to you home owners in sunny climates: Pergo resists fading, even in the sunniest environments...
• Pergo is easy to keep clean, so if you have young children, you needn't be hypervigilant if Junior carries his Kool-Aid throughout the house with reckless abandon. In fact, this material is able to withstand most household catastrophes. Perstorp Flooring claims its material will not stain under any circumstances. A lit cigarette won't burn Pergo, either. Perstop backs its promises with a 15-year warranty.
• Pergo is available in many different designs to complement individual tastes.
• Pergo is easy to install.

Once you've taken the plunge and have installed Pergo in your home, how do you ensure that it looks as good in the future as it does today? It's as easy as a vacuum (avoid uprights and attachments) or a damp mop. Waxing, sanding, and refinishing are no-nos. The material is impermeable that it repels dirt, and harsh substances such as tar, nail polish, marker, and even oil all come off its surface immediately using a little nail polish remover.

Perstorp introduced six new designs of Pergo, all of which became available in the United States last month. If you're wavering between wood and Pergo, check out the following designs. The fact that Pergo caters to nearly every taste could prove to be one of its biggest selling points.

• Amsterdam Oak: Creates the oak parquet look. This is Pergo's 20th Anniversary Design, commemorating the 20th anniversary of Perstorp Flooring's invention of laminate flooring.
• Checkerboard: This pattern has a hand-painted look in order to create a slightly different twist to traditional checkerboard patterns. The design's inspiration comes from the revival of the arts and crafts movement and is intended to create a little nostalgia. Checkerboard is available in black and white, and brown and beige.
• Newport Green: Creates a rustic wood design that captures the look of natural greens with "earthy" undertones.
• Gunstock Oak: Designed to be elegant and formal, Gunstock Oak is configured in a long-strip oak pattern.
• Travertine Stone: This versatile style provides the look of a stone floor without the upkeep.

When you're attempting to draw attention to the selling points of your home, Pergo speaks for itself. It's versatile for families with young children as well as singles and couples without children; after all, every one of us is prone to accidents. Every home buyer shares one thing on common: A desire for the best look at the lowest price. Pergo meets that demand on all counts.