Bamboo flooring prices(revisited)

[sawbones]

Hello all,
I am nearing the stage in my remodel job, to purchase the flooring. Most items I have purchased have been from Lowes. Their bamboo is currently at about $3/sqft.
(The post a ways down about bamboo flooring prices mentioned a price of $37.5---obviously a typo, they meant $3.75)
My question is this...should I purchase my flooring from a dealer? I worry about the quality of inexpensive materials. A nearby builder's supply guy, said that he couldn't do better than $4.50 and warned me to watch for the plies coming apart; peeling away from each other. Now he has me worried.
What is the best brand for bamboo flooring, in your experienced opinions? Weighing both cost AND quality.
Thanks for your time...sawbones

[Peter Kodner]

What is your geographic region? In certain areas, bamboo may not perform well.

my geographic location is in lower Delaware.
Another aspect I need to seriously consider is the hardness of the finish. There is a beach full of sand waiting to track it's way inside, and a couple of dogs, as well.
What product would *you* use? And what is the strongest fastening system(cleats, staples, glue)?
Thanks for your time.

[Nick Arrera]

I see a problem with scratches from the dogs , and sand is short for sandpaper .. Finishes are designed to be hard to resist ware , but soft enough not to crack when something drops on them .. bowling balls
for one example , So if your dogs are somewhat heavy
their nails will push the finish to the side appearing as scratches .

alright let's se if I can get an answer this time

What would be the general concensus vote as to how I fasten this bamboo?
Nevermind. I'll manage that on my own.
I've heard about a hardness rating system(for the finish).
Is there a product that is recommended by you professionals?
Nevermind. I'll manage that on my own.

Thanks for nothing.
And to the moderator who will chose to not post this...up [censored].

[TFP Admin]

I don't understand what your problem was and I'm sorry you didn't get the answers you wanted, when you wanted. If you had logged in and then posted your messages, they would have been posted as soon as you clicked Submit. Messages from guests or unregistered visitors go through a moderation queue and I apologize for the length of time you had to wait for it to be seen and approved (minus your insult).

Although you say you'll manage all those things on your own, maybe the next visitor with a similar problem won't be able to be so resourceful. I hope our knowledgeable pros, once they return from the weekend with their family and friends, will add their thoughts to this topic concerning fastening, durability and brand issues.

Thanks for posting the topic.

[Daniel Wachtel]

Beach front and dogs? There are some bamboo products with aluminum oxide in the finish that will hold up to sand and smaller dogs rather well, but not great for a sandy environment. You want bamboo for the appearance, for your needs, tile would offer better service. But that is just my opinion.

[William Mear]

installing a bamboo floor under the listed conditions will result in one unhappy homeowner in less than 2 years.

Tile is the only way to go, if you can manage that.