Flooring Question - Hardwoord, Bamboo, Laminate, Carpet???

[andsoitgoes]

so after a few weeks at it, I'm surprisingly enough in the same position I was when I started this thread I've checked out laminate, I've checked out hardwood and engineered hardwood.

I think the issue we're running into is our budget. We have to stay w/in 8000 for flooring upstairs and downstairs, we are only doing Hardwood or Laminate upstairs, downstairs will be carpet and tile/vinyl flooring.

our hesitation from doing Hardwood (real stuff) is due to the fact that it's going to increase our costs exponentially. Installation is at least 2.2/sqft on top of the cost of hardwood at 3 - 4 for the "medium" grade stuff.

i'm really not sur ewhere to go - do I look engineered or do I just say to hell with it and go laminate.

I do not, and won't, do glue-together - I've heard horror stories and with my lack of DIY skills, I'd be one of those.

Anyone else have any experiences they'd like to share?

Nick

[PoonTang]

I just a DIY installation of solid Oak. Wasnt hard to do, and I matches the stand of my 90 g really nice.

[hawk]

Is installing the hardwood yourself an option?. As was stated the pre-finished(Mirage) is not very difficult. When I did mine the place I bought the product also loaned out the nailer at no cost.