Anyone experienced with Pergo type flooring?

[poker]

I'm thinking of doing my back guest house in Pergo type flooring. The room is approx. 20 X 25 (500 sq ft).
Theres currently a combo of ugly linoleum and shoddy carpet there now.

Any tips or tricks I should know about beforehand from those who have done it?
I have heard its something fairly easy to do, but I can contract a professional if I feel its way beyond my capabilities.

Thanks in advance on any info at all.

[replicant_argent]

having a level surface is probably the most important part of the prep. liquid floor levelers are commonly available. Overall, the engineered laminate floors are all pretty good quality, I think.
I am debating redoing my man cave floor with it.

[Veritas]

I installed some of this in a closet. It really is as simple as you have heard. The type I used did not require gluing, some do. Check with your local retailer to get the particulars of the product you are using.

I don't have any specific advice but I'm sure others will.

I did my entire great room last Nov/Dec. Hopefully the shape of your room isn't as effed up as mine is

I'd recommend getting the stuff with the padding already attached (attached underlay). Also, I personally wouldn't mess with the type that requires glue. I used the "click and lock" type. It was really easy once after the first three rows. It takes awhile to get comfortable but once you do you're home free. I'd recommend a table saw for the rip cuts. I had a circular saw and used a 3 ft level as a guide but it took longer and wasn't as easy as a table saw would be. The circular saw worked fine for the angled cuts but a miter saw, if available, would be simpler. Make sure the wall you start on is straight. If it isn't then you'll have to adjust accordingly. Also make sure the last board will be at least 2 inches wide. I measured the room and divided it by the size of my laminate to make sure the last board was proper size. It was so I didn't have to rip cut my first row and last row.

I highly recommend a good pair of knee pads.

I used the internet a lot as well as a book by Stanley as resources. Check this site out. http://www.extremehowto.com/xh/artic...ticle_id=60245

Good luck!

[kenstogie]

Originally Posted by Beer Doctor

I highly recommend a good pair of knee pads.

Just like at work.

[Rob.]

if you choose to go with a click lock type floor, make sure that you buy the thicker version. 8mm vs 12.5mm is a big difference, though it might not seem like it. I have laid quite a few floors and the ease of installment is totally different with the thicker flooring. Also, as a professional, I say go hardwood. I hate laminate. Though I do believe it has a purpose.

[poker]

The other thing that gets me is why do the prices fluctuate so much depending on the pattern of the Pergo? I mean, its all the same material right?

Think about it this way -

Toyota vs Lexus

Nissan vs Infiniti

Same thing, just dressed up more......

[CigarNut]

We had Pergo put in our kitchen, family room, and entry a number of years (>10) ago. We had an installer do it and they did a pretty good job.

In hindsight the biggest gotcha was the border wit other flooring materials. They have moulding that covers the gap, but if there enough of a difference in height between the carpet and the Pergo, then these moulding pieces do not stay in place and require a lot of attention.

We also had a couple of areas in the kitchen where the repeated back-and-forth movement of chairs to/from the table caused wear marks and in a few cases scratches. We had replacement pieces, but unless you are prepared to take a lot of the floor apart to replace the pieces, they cut out the bad ones and glue down the replacements. This means that your "floating floor" no longer floats... Not a show stopper but something I wish I had known before going this route...

[replicant_argent]

Originally Posted by CigarNut

In hindsight the biggest gotcha was the border wit other flooring materials. They have moulding that covers the gap, but if there enough of a difference in height between the carpet and the Pergo, then these moulding pieces do not stay in place and require a lot of attention.
.

the trick with tall/dense carpet unions is to trim away a rabbeted edge of the carpet next to the seam.

[kenstogie]

I've put in 2 pergo-type floors. usually there's a underlayment, then just cut and click. Leave whatever gap for the floating. I say if I can do it anyone can.

[jmsremax]

The only experience I have with pergo floors are with old mill converted into luxury condos I was selling and within 3 months the pergo floors were rising because of the concrete floors and looked awful. Clearly the floors were not laid down properly, but pergo floors are thin and a few boards snapped....that's how hacked the job was. Personally I would rather put down hardwood that has already been poly-ed.

As long as the wood doesn't see any water or much humidity fluctuation pergo should be fine. Just make sure you have someone who knows what they are doing when installing. Good luck!

[poker]

Really great info so far guys. Thank you.

[14holestogie]

Say you have a fairly new house with level floors and some linoleum that someone doesn't care for. Is it possible to lay Pergo right over the top of the linoleum?

[Rob.]

Originally Posted by 14holestogie

Say you have a fairly new house with level floors and some linoleum that someone doesn't care for. Is it possible to lay Pergo right over the top of the linoleum?

Can be done, but I would still use proper underlay, others may say you do not need underlay though as the cusionfloor acts as a underlay. And you will need proper drop bars where you meet other flooring types(doorways etc)

Originally Posted by 14holestogie

Say you have a fairly new house with level floors and some linoleum that someone doesn't care for. Is it possible to lay Pergo right over the top of the linoleum?

Yes.

[wayner123]

Originally Posted by 14holestogie

Say you have a fairly new house with level floors and some linoleum that someone doesn't care for. Is it possible to lay Pergo right over the top of the linoleum?

The short answer is Yes. However is it linoleum or vinyl flooring? And where is located at? Answering those two questions may make my answer change.

[14holestogie]

Originally Posted by wayner123

The short answer is Yes. However is it linoleum or vinyl flooring? And where is located at? Answering those two questions may make my answer change.

Pretty sure it's vinyl. Sorry.

[wayner123]

That is one more thing I forgot to mention. Take a look at the box of laminate itself. The directions on there (at least the ones for Armstrong and a couple others) are pretty good. They tell you how to measure and layout the floor. And buy at least 10% more than you need as you will have cut pieces that won't match up. If you are left with a box, just return it for a refund.

Originally Posted by 14holestogie

Pretty sure it's vinyl. Sorry.

No worries. I have done it over vinyl. But the vinyl was a single piece and smooth. Not those vinyl tiles. There are a lot of surface vinyls that have a roughness to them to mimic whatever patern they have. If it's smooth, just add a thin underlayment (no need to buy the expensive stuff) and lay down. I still wouldn't lay it right on top unless it was true linoleum.

[replicant_argent]

cheaper than hardwood, and for a non critical use or dependent on resale, I think it is acceptable.