Here's what it seems to boil down to - I have a pretty small budget, and it just doesn't include installation. I'm going to need to do it myself.
As people in this thread have mentioned, attempting to nail this product is apparently not feasible, especially for a beginner. Everything I read about gluing down flooring suggests that it's a pain in the ass, and just not for beginners - which I certainly am. It pretty much only leaves me with floating - which according to the manufacturer and the people selling me the floor (big surprise, right?) is totally possible.
Here's the floor I'm considering:
http://www.ifloor.com/item_439127/bambo ... l#infotabsIs that a reputable brand? At some point I'm not sure it matters, since I think I'll pretty much screw up the warranty of any product by installing it myself, if I'm reading it right - which means that I really just need to do it right myself the first time.
Here are the installation instructions:
Quote:
Floating Floors: The floating floor method can be used for wood sub floor installations. Consider using Bruce Everseal Adhesive and carefully follow the instructions provided with the adhesive. Never use yellow carpenters glue. Floating 3/8" thick flooring is not recommended. See detailed instructions below.
The first step in laying a floating floor is to determine which direction in the room the flooring will be installed. Consider laying flooring parallel with long wall.
Since walls are often not straight and rooms are not square use care in putting down the first row of flooring. Use a chalk-line as a guide to ensure the first row is straight.
Saw door jambs to the proper height to accommodate new flooring by using a piece of flooring as a guide.
Floors expand and contract over time and with changing environmental conditions. For every 27' of flooring allow 1/16" expansion. For example: A 12' wide floor should have approximately 11/32" gap for expansion on each side.
Use blocks or wedges (to be removed later) to align the first row to the chalk line. It is very important that the first row is straight. It is not necessary to fasten the first row to the floor. Select straight boards for use in the first row.
Stagger joints so a random pattern is generated.
Lay out all of the boards for the first row end to end but do not glue. The groove must be facing the wall. Once you are satisfied with the fit of the first row re-install this row but this time glue the ends of each board. On the ends of the boards place a continuous bead of glue along the top of the tongue of the piece already laid and on the bottom of the groove on the piece of flooring to be laid. Excessive glue may hold boards apart. Immediately wipe off any excess glue that is squeezed from a joint. Use a pinch bar to tightly install the last piece in the first row.
Begin the second row using a partial piece to ensure that joints are staggered. Use the glue bead locations illustrated in Figure 2. Glue long and short edges of each board. Use a tapping block to put boards together. Gentle tapping works best. Never us a hammer directly on the edges or surfaces of your flooring. Immediately wipe off any excess glue that is squeezed from a joint.
Tape (designed for holding pre-finished floating floors) or straps may be used to secure floor as installation continues. Using the wrong tape will ruin your floor.
Continue the process until the last boards are installed. It may be necessary cut the last row of boards along its length so it will fit.
So, if I allow the proper gaps for expansion and such, shouldn't it be okay? Also, I'm told that the strandwoven expands / contracts MUCH differently from normal bamboo - because it's so much harder, so this is supposedly less of an issue.
Am I being totally swindled here, or is this product just a bit different due to its strandwoven nature?
Thanks so much for your help, I really do appreciate it.
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) - but reading this site has made me really think twice about that, since it seems like there's a chance of the floor failing spectacularly down the road. I'm kinda feeling stuck. If I were to float it, what kind of underlayment would I want - something like a cork, I assume? 
What manufacture is that?
