Who or what group determines which flooring products add value to your home?

kriswrite is absolutely correct.  Only your buyer(s) will determine
how much value a particular flooring will add to your home.

I have worked for a real estate appraiser and have some knowledge with
how certain improvements, including flooring can affect a house's
value.

The very best thing you can do would be to have a licensed real estate
appraiser come and look at your house for you and give you a
comparison of what he thinks certain flooring will add to your house. 
This will cost you a few hundred dollars.  Contact your local bank or
real estate agent to get the name of an appraiser that they use and
trust.  The job of an appraiser is to have a deep understanding of the
local real estate market and estimate home values.  Their reports are
very thorough and a good appraiser will be your best advisor for this
situation.  A real estate agent would be your second best bet.  It
would not cost as much, or may cost nothing, but will not be as good.


That said, here is some information that should help to give some direction.

1.  Cost Vs. Value

Flooring is not going to get you the best return on your money in the
remodeling arena.
http://www.remodeling.hw.net/content/CvsV/CostvsValue.asp?articleID=211765&sectionID=173

If you are replacing a floor that is damaged, worn out, or looks bad
then to get the largest profit margin you would replace it with the
least expensive flooring acceptable for your type of house.  (ie.
don't replace worn our laminate with hardwood).  Yes your resale value
will go up, but the cost will far out way the benefits.

http://www.myspendingplan.com/articles/viewarticle.aspx?id=12

"Laying new floors such as marble, wooden floors etc is another home
remodeling project that will not get you more money on a sale."



2. Types of Floors:

Some comparison of types of flooring.
   Summary:  - Carpet is not a good selling point.
             - Small amounts of nice wood, like in an entryway can
have a positive resale value over cost.
             - This writer thinks wood is the best value

http://www.bizjournals.com/pittsburgh/stories/2003/03/03/focus3.html
   - Note: there are four pages to this article.  Click through them
from the selection toward the bottom of the page.

Here is a good all-around comparison of wood and laminate.
http://www.goerie.com/todayshome/wood_vs__laminate__the_great_f.html


Note:
As you may have noticed the best value for remodeling is an updated
Kitchen or Bathroom !!!
http://www.remodeling.hw.net/content/CvsV/CostvsValue.asp?articleID=211765&sectionID=173

If you require more information please let me know.  I am here to help.

Thanks and good luck!

Buyers! Buyers determine what any house (or element in a house) is worth.

Kriswrite