Pergo is a BRAND NAME of Laminate Flooring.
It is similar to how Kleenex is a brand of tissues or Band-Aid is brand of adhesive bandages. Lots of people misuse the terms in all 3 of these examples.
There are many brands of laminate flooring, including Pergo, Armstrong and Shaw. Pergo is well known since they invented the category in the mid 70’s and began importing to the US in 1994. They also sell their brand at Home Depot which is where many consumers first come in contact with it.
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So, what is laminate flooring?
Well laminate is made to look real, but it’s actually fake. It’s a multilayered synthetic hard surface product made with recycled hardwood. On top, it has a clear melamine wear layer with aluminum oxide which gives it’s scratch protection – making it resistant to dogs, kids, high heels, chairs, you name it. Underneath the melamine wear layer is the photograph of the wood (or tile) and beneath that is the high density core board. Most laminates look like hardwood (but some look like tile), but they are usually easier to maintain since they are more resistant to scratching. So, if you are worried about young kids, pets or renter, and the wear and tear of your floor, laminate provides a great option.
Laminate flooring is a floating floor and it snaps together. It is not attached directly to the floor (it is neither glued nor nailed); rather, it snaps into place and is held down at the edges of the room (i.e. by the quarter round and transitions). It’s important that the floor is flat/level; otherwise it moves as you walk on it. Laminate flooring is usually 7mm to 8mm in height and have an underlayment as a sound/moisture barrier. In total, with the underlayment, it usually raises the floor around 3/8 of an inch.
Some people love laminate because it’s quick and relatively easy to install (however, too many do-it-yourselfers attempt to install this themselves and fail miserably); others dislike it because it is fake/not real hardwood and they don’t like the hollow tinny sound when you walk on it.
Laminate Flooring is Not Real Hardwood; laminate flooring is picture of wood
Laminate has come a long way and some of it looks really real. You will find that there are different grades of laminate – some even have individual planks (just like hardwood) for a more realistic effect. It is a photograph of wood, so it will not improve the value of your home like hardwood will. However, most prefer this hard surface over carpet. Because it’s made with recycle hardwood, laminate flooring is not waterproof.
Complementary products that will prolong the life of your hardwood floors
- Bona hardwood floor cleaner
- Felt pads to protect floors
- Office chair mat
- Doggie Socks
What is Pergo flooring? Laminate flooring in Westchester
ahh yes. the ol’ kleenex and band-aid.. ha.. but Pergo does seem to evoke some kind of sense of higher quality. I know when we did Trex decking, there was a lot of knock offs and nothing looked and worked the same as Trex.
Robert – I’ve always heard good things about Trex. Pergo has different grades, and some are really inferior; others are better quality.
I put generic laminate in a rental that I got from the box stores and the renters tore it up quickly. Not sure I would have spent the money on better stuff but it might have lasted longer.
Perry – Yes, I would advise against the super cheap entry point ones you can find in the big box stores. They are usually very flimsy and have lots of problems. I would go at least 1 step up from those.
I love my pergo and have for years. I see a lot of cheap knock offs in homes and think the upkeep and hassle of not going with a better brand.
Lynn – I’m so happy that you are pleased with your Pergo floors. You are right – there is a variety of brands and some very cheap knock-offs that I would recommend staying away from. Pergo has a range of qualities and there are several other brands that provide good quality laminates.
The higher ranges of Pergo are High Pressure Laminates HPL (not to be mistaken with HDF). They are covered with a melamine resin with incorporated aluminium oxide particles adding extreme strength, durability and are very hard wearing from an impact and abrasion point of view. The cheaper laminates are generally Direct Pressure Laminates and relatively inferior with a simple melamine surface. Although, companies like Quick-Step produce all there laminates using the DPL method and are exceptional. It’s well worth looking at the different ranges available and being careful to not be seduced by cheap laminates. There really give the market a bad name.
Great informative website btw Debbie, you’re an inspiration 🙂
Wes – EXCELLENT points. And, yes, with most manufacturers, there are ranges of quality. And, I so agree that there are some really cheap and flimsy laminates out there. I see them as well and you’re right, they give laminates a bad name. Oh, and thanks for your kind words. I really appreciate that.
The higher ranges of Pergo are High Pressure Laminates HPL (not to be mistaken with HDF). They are covered with a melamine resin with incorporated aluminium oxide particles adding extreme strength, durability and are very hard wearing from an impact and abrasion point of view. The cheaper laminates are generally Direct Pressure Laminates and relatively inferior with a simple melamine surface. Although, companies like Quick-Step produce all there laminates using the DPL method and are exceptional. It’s well worth looking at the different ranges available and being careful to not be seduced by cheap laminates. There really give the market a bad name.
Absolutely! Yes, there are ranges and some laminates are better than others!