I am trying to find the lightest/whitest (color) possible, durable wood for the kitchen floor. It needs to withstand a southern exposure -- skylight and window, animals, extreme climate conditions... I live in the midwest, and everything else that can happen in a kitchen.
I like Bamboo, but my carpenter has steered me away from it. ??? He recommends red oak.
Because it's a very small kitchen, and it will get direct sunlight, I thought a light color would be the best. Also, I'm trying to make it as neutral as possible. I would like it to be able to refinish it when necessary.
It's an old house and a floating floor was recommended (maybe because the floor is not level).
Does such a wood exist?
Any ideas/recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

There is no reason to not consider bamboo.

Thank you, I appreciate your response!
The floor is being leveled (the house sags in the middle), so should I wait until the leveling is finished before installing the floor or doesn't it matter?
(I've heard both)

By ALL MEANS, if the house is being "leveled" in that the foundation or supporting elements are being repaired or adjusted, then you MUST wait with flooring installation.

On the other hand, sometimes what is meant by "leveling" a floor means either applying a cementous liquid floor leveler or leveling the floor with a series of shims under a new layer of subfloor. In this case, the final "finish" floor must also obviosuly wait till the subfloor is finished.

I think your contractors reaction to bamboo was somewhat outmoded (old fashioned) but does not necessarily mean he/she is ignorant or a bad contractor.

If you desire a light finish, any wood, be it ash, bamboo, maple, oak or pine will be MUCH MUCH lighter if you use a water based sealer/topcoat. The water based products are really amazing these days, approaching and sometimes exceeding the durabiltiy of oil based products. Do some research -- suggest this approach to your contractor. Be aware -- water based products reveal blemishes and errors in the sanding/prep. Your contractor may be aware of this and this choose to shy away from them -- explain that you really want a light color and are willing to accept the consequences (assuming that you are!).

A carpenter is permanently installing jacks into the concrete on footings?... or something like that. Then we will raise it 1/8 to 1/4 inch every week.
That means I can wait to finalize the decision on the wood flooring. It will give me more time to research. I still like bamboo, even though I read something on this website that did not sound too favorable. I am open to any durable light color wood and am very willing to accept the conseqences with a lighter color floor.
Thank you for your suggestions! I've learned a lot from this message board.

(I am ill at ease about raising the floor. It was difficult to find someone who does that kind of work. I think that may be another message board Q.)