Different strokes for different folks – this is what plays out when it comes to selecting flooring material to cover the floor of your home. Regardless of the choice of material to cover your house, you need to have eyes on how a flooring material is made, its durability, ease of maintenance and cost.
This is where Pergo comes in. They manufacture flooring materials that are budget-friendly, durable and easy to maintain. At a reasonable budget, you get a Pergo floor that’s visually appealing and easy to install and maintain.
Two other options, in this case, are the vinyl flooring and Nucore flooring, so make sure to check out our Coretec flooring reviewed and Nucore flooring reviewed articles to make an informed decision.
What is Pergo
Pergo is a laminate and hardwood flooring brand whom many have claimed to be the best in the industry. Pergo flooring materials are known to be durable and relatively easy to maintain.
Pergo laminate flooring is made to simulate wood and has a photographic applique layer under a clear protective layer.
Generally, Pergo flooring comes in different classic styles and colors, all made from premium materials without any toxic material to endanger your health. They’re also resistant to scratch and water.
How is Pergo Flooring Constructed
Pergo floorings are multilayered, gummed together with a lamination process. Laminate and engineered hardwood flooring material are made of four layers which include:
Photo from: info.pergo.com
Transparent Layer
This layer (uppermost) is built to function as a protective layer against scratch and scrub. It also has a water resistance property.
Design Layer
This layer is directly under the transparent layer. Patterns and other visually appealing drawings are made on it. In the case of the engineered hardwood flooring, this layer is made of a premium hardwood veneer.
Premium HDF Core Layer
The HDF core board is the layer designed for click-joining the floors together. This layer gives the floor dent-resistance and stability.
Balancing Layer
The balancing layer is meant to provide stability by preventing collapsing or bowing. It’s also the noise absorbing a layer of the flooring.
Solid hardwood features only two layers – the first one is the transparent layer that provides water and scratch resistance while the second one is the solid piece of hardwood.
Pergo Flooring Product Range
Pergo products range from laminate flooring to hardwood flooring to engineered hardwood flooring.
Laminate
When it comes to laminate flooring, you have to give it to Pergo. Their laminate materials are constructed by bonding their patented materials together under high temperature and pressure.
The bonded materials are synthetic and are made to simulate wood or stone. They’re available in a variety of colors and styles.
Hardwood
Photo from: gratevilledead.com
Solid hardwood floor covering materials made by Pergo are delivered with ¾” solid wood planks up to 5” wide. The range of products in this class are known as the Pergo American Era. They’re available in different classic styles, textures and colors.
Engineered Hardwood
The products in this category are known as Pergo Max. They feature a supportive core in the middle, surrounded by beautifully-stained layers of hardwood. Their water-resistant capability is better than that of the solid hardwood.
Pergo Flooring Product Models
Pergo products can be classified into models aside from the materials used in making them. The models are the following:
Pergo Max
Pergo Max models are made from engineered hardwood. This is one of the most durable models of Pergo floorings thanks to it’s Premium PermaMax wear layer, giving it double protection compared to the others. This model is further available in different styles, colors and textures.
Pergo Lifestyles
Available in different sizes, this model is also made from engineered hardwood and features about 13 trendy designs with smooth and wire-finishing. Because of the softer hues and blues in this model, it pairs well with Pergo Max.
Pergo American Era
The only model made with solid hardwood is Pergo American Era and it’s five times more durable than ordinary hardwood floors. It looks amazing, keeping its new-like looks longer by resisting damages caused by stains, water and scratches.
Pergo Outlast
Unlike the other models, the water-proof property of Pergo Outlast is for life. It’s also protected in cases of pet dander accidents.
Pergo Flooring Designs and Sizes
Pergo flooring comes in different designs and sizes. The floors generally have glossy finished surfaces that had been engineered to withstand scratches.
Pergo American Era, for example, is available in 5” x 84” size. Pergo Max models come as a 7.48” x 4.52” plank. Pergo Lifestyle comes in different sizes, giving you a large variety of designs and sizes to choose from.
Photo from: gratevilledead.com
Pergo Flooring Warranty
Pergo has trust in their products, and as such, they provide a limited lifetime residential warranty for all their hardwood models such as Pergo Max, Pergo Lifestyles and Pergo American Era.
Pergo Outlast offers you a 6-month warranty. For them to provide a limited lifetime warranty for their hardwood products means they have manufactured them to stand the test of time.
Pros and Cons of Pergo Flooring
In the past, Pergo flooring was synonymous to laminate flooring. However, since they have diversified into hardwood, they now live on both sides of the world, where you can find in another product what’s lacked in the other.
- Cost: Generally, laminate floorings are cheaper compared to hardwood flooring. This is because the type of wood determines the price of the flooring.
- Durability: In the case of durability, hardwood floorings win as they are more durable compared to laminates.
- Appearance: Hardwood is the winner here too. While laminate flooring is meant to imitate wood, when you look closely, you’ll know they’re synthesized.
- Cleaning: Laminate flooring beats hardwood flooring here as they are easy to clean and don’t attract termites.
- Eco-friendly: Laminate flooring is the most ecologically friendly compared to hardwood flooring which is gotten from trees.
How to Choose the Right Pergo Flooring for You
You might think it’s easy to choose the right floor for your house or building until it’s time to make the decision. You’re then greeted by an array of options ranging from tiles, vinyl, carpet, hardwood and laminate.
The option you choose will determine if you’ll be thinking of changing the choice you made or if you’ll forever be happy with the decision. If it comes to choosing the right floor, you need to consider a lot of things.
Considering all the things that matters reduces the chances of making regrets. With this in mind, here are the factors to consider when choosing the Pergo flooring for your home:
Durability
How long a floor will last is, to a larger extent, dependent on how durable it is. One factor that reduces the lifespan of any floor is the amount and frequency of movement on it.
With that, you need to know beforehand the number of people that’ll walk on it and how frequently they’ll move across it. This will help you out in choosing a floor that’s truly durable and that’ll match your intended use.
Pergo floorings are generally durable. However, if you desire a floor with very high durability, then choose the Pergo Max model. It’s generally two times more durable than the others.
Resistance to Water
Water resistance is an important deciding factor on the floor to install in your home. If the use of water will be minimum, then using a non-water resistant floor might not pose any serious problem.
However, in buildings where you expect water spillage. especially if you have kids, you must go for a water resistant floor. Most floors manufactured by Pergo are water resistant.
However, they’re only water resistant for a couple of minutes. Only the Pergo Outlast is completely and truly water resistant.
Installation
It’s important you consider how installable the floor of your choice is – some floors can only be installed by professionals who already have experience. On the other hand, some are so easy to install that you only need to read their manual.
The good news here is that Pergo floorings are some of the easiest floors to fix. Almost all the models are so easy to install that you can follow the help on their website to do-it-yourself (DIY).
Maintenance
Some floors are difficult to manage and maintain while others aren’t. To some, a single stain could mean working yourself off to get it wiped out. In others, it just needs to be mobbed and the stain goes away.
When dirty or stained, Pergo floorings can easily be cleaned by using a mop.
Pets
This factor is only important to those that have a pet. It’s widely known that pets could easily wear the surface of your floor or cover it with their dander. However, using a floor with wear resistance keeps it protected against damages caused by pets.
Styles and Sizes
Pergo flooring isn’t just in the room to cover the ground. It’s also there to contribute to the general visual effects of space. A beautifully colored floor together with other beautifully crafted items gives your room that vibrant appeal you desire.
Choose your colors wisely. Different rooms can have different colors depending on the demography of their inhabitants and what they’re meant for. One thing that’s also important is the size or dimensions of the floor materials used.
Sound
Some floors are better at absorbing noise than others. For example, both laminate flooring and engineered hardwood floorings have their last layer as noise absorbing. With this, the number of echoing and noise in the room is reduced.
Costs
Regardless of what you want, you can only install the floor you can afford. If you have the unlimited budget, then go ahead, choose the best option – this factor doesn’t apply to you.
However, most people are on a budget. Generally, hardwood flooring is the most expensive while laminate flooring is considered as cheap. One can get a premium looking laminate flooring for just $2.5 per square foot range.
Does More Spending Mean More Quality
When it comes to Pergo flooring, spending more money translates into more quality. Take, for instance, that the laminate floors are generally the least expensive among Pergo flooring products.
Though good, the engineered hardwood and solid hardwood are better in terms of quality. By spending more money, instead of buying a laminate floor, you can go for engineered hardwood floors that provide a better warranty, that are more durable and last longer.
The above assertion isn’t always the case. For instance, some floors are more expensive than Pergo Outlast model but in terms of value for the money spent Pergo Outlast is better.
How to Install Pergo Flooring
There are two ways to get a Pergo Floor installed. You can either hire a specialist or get it done yourself.
Unless you aren’t the DIY kind of person or the area to be covered is large you don’t have any reason to get a professional. This is because this flooring is fairly simple to install.
It doesn’t require the use of nails/bolt and only a few simple DIY tools will do. It also doesn’t require previous experience. While at it, it’s important to note that Pergo floors need underlayment.
How to Install Laminate Pergo Flooring
Step 1 – Prepare the Necessary Tools
Required tools to install a laminate floor includes pencil and measure tape, gloves, safety glasses, wood glue, underlayment (if not previously underlaid), finishing putty, tapping block and 5MM spacer, felt furniture parts, coordinating molding, dust mask, vapor barrier, utility knife, hammer, moisture meter, level and knee pads. You also need polyurethane for floors finishing.
Step 2 – Prepare the Floor
Prepare the floor by removing carpets, paddings or moisture. Fill up holes and make sure you install a vapor barrier among others. After that, fit in the floors.
Step 3 – Cover Expansion Spaces
Cover any expansion spaces around the new floor with a wall base and quarter round molding. Make sure you apply transition molding as required and that’s it.
How to Install Hardwood Pergo Floors
Step 1 – Gather the Necessary Tools
A required tool to install a hardwood flooring aside the ones listed above is a circular saw. To establish a hardwood floor, prepare the floor just as discussed in the installing laminate flooring section above. After that, fit in the floors.
Step 2 – Put a Wall Base and Molding
Cover any expansion spaces around the new floor with a wall base and quarter round molding, just like you would do it with a laminate version of flooring. Again, make sure you apply transition molding as required.
How to Clean and Maintain Pergo Flooring
Unlike other floors, Pergo floors are easy to use and maintain. Avoid using a steam cleaner in cleaning them and use the best steam cleaner or great portable steam cleaner instead.
You should also avoid leaving spills on it for a long time. To maintain a Pergo floor regardless of the model, do the following:
- Replace your chair plastic casters with rubber wheels.
- Avoid sliding heavy or rough items across the floor.
- Make sure you dust your shoe to avoid bringing in the dirt.
Laminate
To clean a laminate floor, you need to remove dust and dirt first. You can use any of the premium laminate vacuums available in the market for this purpose.
The durable microfiber mop is a good choice for removing dust and dirt. After removing them, use a damp mop to clean the floor.
There are special mops for laminate flooring in the market. Go through the great list of mops for laminate flooring and make a choice.
Engineered Hardwood and Solid Hardwood
The cleaning guide for both engineered hardwood and solid hardwood is the same. To clean a hardwood floor, you also need to remove dust and dirt first.
Use vacuum cleaners without rotary brush hair to avoid scratching the floor’s surface. You can make use of any of the hardwood vacuums. After removing the dirt, mop the floor clean and you’re done.
FAQ
Radiant heating with Pergo flooring
Yes, radiant heating can be used with a Pergo floor. The heating system can be installed over radiant heated subfloors.
Is Pergo flooring scratch resistant?
Pergo floorings are scratch resistant. However, this is correct only if the scratch is just small. The protective layer can wear off easily, thereby making the floor not resistant.
Can you steam mop over Pergo flooring?
No, you can’t because you shouldn’t use detergent based cleaners. It’s clearly stated on Pergo’s website that you should avoid using a steam mop over any Pergo flooring. A damp mop might work just fine though.
Does new flooring (hardwood or laminate) increase home value?
Every improvement you make to your home increases its value and doing a new floor isn’t an exception. The value even improves more if the new floor is made of premium materials.
Where can you buy Pergo flooring?
Pergo floors are known products – getting them doesn’t pose many challenges. Just check out your local flooring shops or Amazon and you can get the Pergo floor you seek.
Is Pergo flooring waterproof?
It is waterproof only for a limited time so avoid leaving spills on it for long.
Can Pergo flooring be refinished?
No, they can’t. If you do this, you risk the chance of getting the transparent (protective) layer damaged. Pergo flooring can’t be refinished – they can only be changed.
Conclusion
Pergo floorings are seeing an increase in the use. If what you seek is a premium looking, durable and cost-effective flooring then Pergo flooring is an option – it’s durable, built with water and scratch resistive capabilities and easy to use and maintain.
Photos from: logoboom / depositphotos.com and hotography33 / depositphotos.com.