It’s not hard to get sidetracked when talking about the pros and cons of Pergo floors. For many years, Pergo floors were synonymous with laminate flooring; The reason is that it was Pergo who first came up with the idea of laminate flooring. Pergo is still the largest producer of this type of flooring, although the company is now owned by Mohawk, another excellent producer of laminate flooring. In any case, any discussion about the good or bad of Pergo flooring often degenerates into a discussion about the pros and cons of laminate flooring in general.
Good things about Pergo
Pergo has been in the laminate flooring business longer than anyone. There are many highly competitive brands out there today, but Pergo is still the top selling brand by a significant margin, which tells you something about the quality of their product line. Another positive indication that Pergo is a brand that can be trusted is their guarantees, which are up to 30 years, and more than reasonable for most types of floors. However, warranties have exceptions. If you routinely spill liquids on your Pergo floor and don’t clean it up afterwards, the floor will eventually start to deteriorate and the warranty will no longer be valid.
Pergo laminate floors are almost ridiculously easy to install. The individual planks simply snap together. Most laminate flooring, including Pergo flooring, requires an underlay material between the laminate and the subfloor. Pergo’s Allocade product line is an exception, as an underlying material has already been added. Hardwood floors are difficult for non-professionals to install. If you can fit two boards together, you can install Pergo flooring yourself.
Finally, you can buy Pergo flooring for half what you’d spend on hardwood flooring, and from a distance, Pergo is indistinguishable from genuine hardwood. Additionally, you can install Pergo in rooms where real wood flooring would not be recommended, such as kitchens, bathrooms and rooms located below ground level.
Not so good features
There is little to say about Pergo that is really bad, although there are some really bad examples of laminate on the market. If you want to find out what some of those bad examples are, shop for laminate flooring that is being sold at clearance prices. Quality flooring products rarely sell for “never-again” prices.
Don’t expect Pergo floors to last nearly as long as oak, maple, or other hardwood floors. Thirty years is the maximum, and brands like Pergo, Mohawk, or Armstrong should give you at least 20 years of good service.
One of the main disadvantages of Pergo floors is that they cannot be restored. The “wood” is a thin veneer; very fine sheet metal Scratch it off and the inner core could be revealed. The inner core is unattractive, and a damaged plank or panel may need to be replaced.
No matter how much laminate flooring looks like the real thing, it rarely adds to a home’s resale value. A prospective buyer looking for a home with hardwood floors will typically overlook any home on the market that has laminate flooring, even if that flooring is top-of-the-line Pergo.
what types to buy
Color and texture are definitely your choice, and your choice alone. Current best sellers are oak, Hawaiian koa, and various styles of hickory. Wider planks have become more popular in recent years. Pergo comes in widths ranging from 5 inches to 12 inches, and in thicknesses ranging from 8mm to 12mm.
Should You Buy Pergo Flooring?
If you prefer a laminate floor, the answer is definitely yes, if you can find a style that suits your taste, which shouldn’t be difficult. A good tip would be to “go thick” and opt for 12mm planks instead of 8mm or 10mm planks. Thicker planks should still be affordable, plus they’ll have a more solid feel, absorb heat better, and be a bit quieter to walk on.