Wood – Replacing 3/8 inch hardwood with 3/4 inch hardwood

First, remember to lay your wood perpendicular to the floor joists. Laying it parallel can cause a waving effect which is unpleasant.

Next, find the longest, longest, straightest wall which is perpendicular to the joists. Measure out two feet from the wall all the way down the wall. Then find the best line down these marks, snap a chalk line, Measure back to the wall about 23 and 5/8 inches. Snap a this line. Line up your first run of floor against this line, tongue side out (nail through the tongue).

As for room to room, if they are really out of square with each other, try building a transition between rooms:

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This allows you to lay each room separately, allowing each room to be square.

Carpet will be cheaper to have installed, but the life time is much shorter than hardwood.

Look into strand bamboo. I believe it is much harder than any other hardwood and not as susceptible to humidity. I used it in my house on the most of the main level (about 1,500 square feet) and have been very happy with it.

Because it so hard, it is more difficult to install, so you may pay a little more for installation.

I don't know if you can ever avoid all creaks, but most can be avoided by putting down rosin paper first and nailing into the floor joists as much as possible.

UPDATE 1

I'm talking specifically about strand bamboo. Regular bamboo is much softer and scratches a lot easier.