Reply #2: From my husband, who is a remodeling contractor who specializes [View All]

in kitchens:

Bamboo comes prefinished and is pretty easy for a do-it-yourselfer. Generally, it comes in three-inch or six-inch planks, with either a vertical or horizontal orientation. You will need to allow for 3/4 inch in added height. Bamboo is a renewable resource which grows much faster than trees.

He has less experience with cork but says it is more difficult to install -- best installed by a professional -- and must be installed over a stable, uniform, surface. The subflooring has to be almost perfect. He does not believe you can get it prefinished. He would not use it in a kitchen because he does not believe it will hold up to the traffic and high use conditions.

Bamboo costs about the same as hardwood flooring and cork is more expensive.

I know you said you like the look of hardwood but he said he personally would probably to put down new linoleum -- he likes it! :) He's not referring to sheet vinyl -- he suggests checking out the Marmoleum brand if you're interested. Good luck!