Pergo Hardwood

"Key Bored" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> http://www.pergo.com/shop/category.aspx?categoryID=26
>
> I'm planning on installing the floor in my kitchen and nook area, which
> has ceramic tile on concrete slab on grade. According to the installation
> instructions, the strips can either be glued directly to concrete or other
> hard surface floor, or laid as a floating floor with vapor barrier, foam
> underlayment, and glued joints between strips.
>
> Does anyone have experience with this Pergo hardwood flooring? How
> difficult is installation? I was thinking that the floating floor method
> might be a better choice than the direct gluedown since all joints would
> be filled with glue and there is less chance that kitchen spills would
> damage the flooring. It would also be easier to remove the flooring in
> the future if necessary.

I have Mannington engineered wood. I'd go with the floating floor again for
some of the reasons you mention.
It is really a fairly simple install. A few hand tools and a miter saw it
all you need. Unlike laminate, it does not have the noise when you walk on
it. I did about 400 sq. ft. and it took me a weekend+ but I had a fair
amount of cutting and trimming. Never had a big spill, but a few little
ones were not a problem.

Check out Sam's Club if ya got one. They sell a floating floor system with
the foam pre-installed. The cheapest I've been able to find something like
it. I think it was a 25yr warranty. It wasn't pergo though.

"Key Bored" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> Hi All,
>
> I noticed that Lowe's is now selling Pergo's engineered hardwood flooring.
> It comes prefinished in 3- or 5-inch-wide strips, 3/8" thick,
> tongue-and-groove side and end joints, 20-year warranty on finish. Looks
> like good quality material and finish. Slightly beveled side and end
> joints are nice compared to other brands I've seen. Cost at Lowes is
> around $4 per square foot for material only. For info, go to:
>
> http://www.pergo.com/shop/category.aspx?categoryID=26
>
> I'm planning on installing the floor in my kitchen and nook area, which
> has ceramic tile on concrete slab on grade. According to the installation
> instructions, the strips can either be glued directly to concrete or other
> hard surface floor, or laid as a floating floor with vapor barrier, foam
> underlayment, and glued joints between strips.
>
> Does anyone have experience with this Pergo hardwood flooring? How
> difficult is installation? I was thinking that the floating floor method
> might be a better choice than the direct gluedown since all joints would
> be filled with glue and there is less chance that kitchen spills would
> damage the flooring. It would also be easier to remove the flooring in
> the future if necessary.
>
> Thanx,
> Key Bored
>
>

> Does anyone have experience with this Pergo hardwood flooring? How
> difficult is installation? I was thinking that the floating floor method
> might be a better choice than the direct gluedown since all joints would
> be filled with glue and there is less chance that kitchen spills would
> damage the flooring. It would also be easier to remove the flooring in
> the future if necessary.
>
My experience with Pergo goes back about 8-10 years and I am sure their
product has improved since. I installed about 100 square feet in the
kitchen of our previous house. In general it was a good product and easy to
install. Good and not-so-good:

Good:

1) Installation was pretty easy. I installed a floating floor over existing
vinyl. All I had to do was pull up existing quarter round, install and
replace trim. The closure trim where I joined with carpet was a little
cheesy but it worked. The product I installed used a green creamy glue to
join the tongue and groove edges. Product was very easy to cut for
finishing aroung doors, etc. There was slight tendence for the surface to
chip while cutting, but not bad.

One thing I overlooked in original planning was an existing built-in
dishwasher. I ran the pergo an inch or so under to washer's bottom face
plate - no problem. Getting the old dishwasher out to replace it a year or
so later was a problem - barely had clearance to get it out from under the
cabinet.

2) Seemed very durable. I recall, shortly after installation, I dropped a
large butcherknife point down. As I watched it descend I though "damn,
there goes the floor!" Didn't leave a mark.

3) Cleaning. Mixed bag. Our floor was fairly light maple. It was a snap
to clean but the finish was so smooth that the slightest smudge showed
(think fingerprints on a freshly washedcar). I believe some of the newer
engineered "hardwood" floors have enough texture to hide smudges.

Not so good:

1) Smudges (above)

2) Sound. Walking on the Pergo floor in no way resembled hardwood. It
emitted a plastic-like sound and women's shoes caused a hollow click.

3) Temperature. Also unlike wood. Even with the foam underlay it got just
a cold as you would expect a plastic floor to be.

Overall, if I install another wood floor in the future, Pergo will be on my
look-list. I think it is a pretty good product and probably improved from
my early experience.

RonB