Im confused.....
You say you want "real hardwoods" on the stairs and prefinished "real hardwoods" in the bedrooms. It sounds like you're wanting the same "type" wood with the same "type" finish and the same "type" top coat on it. You know that apples-to-apples thing. So why not prefinished for the stairs too? Then it is the same.

I doubt you would save any money by having an installer finish the wood for you. But, if for some reason you need one stained and one not then have your installer bring you samples of the stairs that he has match-finished.
Or, if you plan to do this yourself- have an actual paint store (not HD or Lowes-- but a paint expert) "match" the prefinished "real hardwoods" for you to sample stain several pieces on. See if it looks "real" enough to you. We did that when having our alder cabinets stained to match the knot colors in our unstained oak floors.

BTW....Engineered is real wood with several layers under it that criss-cross (usually 5-7). In some areas of the country people are advised not to put down solid hardwood that might "pop" on cement floors. This is usually the case for those that live in the western states as almost all homes are built on slab.
Laminate is basically a photograph. And just like any photograph some are bad and some are great.

kats,
Thanks for responding..sorry I was not too clear on things. Our LR, DR and Family room are already hardwoods from unfinished wood, to sanding, staining, top-coatings, etc. Our stairs can be seen from the living and dining room and Ithink it should look pretty much the same. Once upstairs though, the bedrooms are a different story, they won't be seen from downstairs and that's where I'm thinking of putting the pre-finished floors. Since the landing is at the top of the stairs, I'd finish that the same as the stairs. I guess it going from the landing into each bedroom where the difference would actually be. Does that make a little more sense?

Anyway, thanks again for sharing your opinion. I'm really needing help on this one!!!!

n2bach

Your English Tudor house seems to have come with a lot of character. I'd keep with the same architectural type/style roof (prev post) and continue the integrity of the house with the great character flooring as well, right through the whole house. It would be a shame to succumb to the 'easy' materials on your home, imo. Aside from your own personal enjoyment, it would probably pay off at resale too.

squirrelheaven,
You are tooooo nice and have a mind like a steel trap, I might add! Thanks for you opinion, probably you are correct and I should just suck up and get the hardwoods the old fashioned way EVERYWHERE and be done with it! Oh, the dread I have though, just thinking about what we'll have to do to get there. And about resale, I know you're right about that too, although my husband says they will literally carry him out of this home! We've lived here nearly 25 years and and Lord willing, we'll have another 25!

Thanks so much for your input...you're great!

n2bach1

! : )

I sure know what you mean about the mess and how to get there in one piece when you're actually living in the home. Sometimes it's just better to vacate while the work is being done. Good not to breath in all that dust, too.

Either way, I wonder if you could do some of those vinyl zipper walls to try to contain the dust upstairs. Maybe close off your open rooms like the lr and dr with them also. And close and seal off the hvac vents if you have them! That stuff gets in there and just keeps circulating around.

Those old-fashioned floors are oh so beautiful : ) They do have a whole different feel to them.