Compare Pergo to Hard Wood Floors

12 years ago

I have had Pergo in a previous house and I had another house that had 100 year old hard wood floors. I am trying to decide on which one to use in a new house. I keep hearing people say that hard wood is better and Pergo is "nasty", they hate it, whatever. What I would like clarified is "why" do you not like Pergo and what benefit does hard wood have over it? I am assuming it lasts forever since mine was so old and still looked good after being refinished. But, I cleaned my Pergo with Windex and a swiffer for crying out loud and the dogs and cats never damaged it. My hard wood however, got dings in it from the dog's toenails and it was recommended that I clean it once a month with some orange stuff that I can't remember the name of. It seemed like more upkeep with the real wood.

I would really love to hear people's thoughts, experiences and opinions on this. I've seen some Pergo that looks exactly like the real thing. I need to decide what to do. Cost is not a factor. Please advise me. Thank you.

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PRO

Patricia Colwell Consulting

12 years ago

I would go with a laminate with dogs I have seen too many hardwood floors totalled with dogs. I have 2 big dogs and we put in laminate tiles that look like slate, in fact people always feel it to see if it is real. We have had it in our house for 7 yrs and it still looks like new. A couple of pics of floor.This flooring is so easy to install and a damp mop is all you need to clean it I don't think I would ever go back to wood.

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Comments (12)

PRO
Heirloom Design Build
12 years ago
I think it really depends on your personal situation. It would be easy for me to say how much I love natural materials in one of our homes but if you have a very particular situation where you need durability you may know the answer to your question already.

I will suggest that if durability is your main concern and you do decide on a site finished wood floor, that you consider a final coat of polyurethane that is graded or has an additive of a "traffic" or "hardner" coat. Additionally, I would consider a low sheen finish coat to help hide any scratches. We usually suggest a satin finish.

Hope that helps!
traffic or Hardner
Belahn thanked Heirloom Design Build
User
12 years ago
If cost is not a factor then absolutely hardwood. As an investment into your home, hardwood will always pay off whereas Pergo will give you no return on your dollar. Even if you're not considering selling in the future, hardwood is a lifetime floor and Pergo just isn't. An oak floor with two coats of gloss finish for durability and a finish satin coat will hold up to a lot of abuse. Most people can easily tell the difference between those two types of flooring by just looking, but all you have to do is set foot on Pergo and the "click,click,click" is a dead give-away.
Belahn thanked User
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Denita
12 years ago
bluenan is right. No question about it.
dclostboy
12 years ago
Pergo looked nice and worked well in a rental apartment, until they got it wet...disintegrated.
Cheryl C
12 years ago
I'm sorry, but I just love my Pergo floor! With a dog that doesn't like his nails to be clipped it was the best decision that I ever made. The click clack of Pergo from yesteryear is gone, it's history. And from what I can tell, if you use a wood floor with pets, you ought to use a light color wood. All of the house that use a dark wood stain with pets look awful, scratches galor! Also, hand scraped Pergo looks lovely. But if your prepared to maintain real wood, go ahead, but for me ,I love my Pergo!
Kelly
12 years ago
Your lifestyle choice is everything here. If you don't want to maintain a hardwood floor (they all need maintenance no matter what anyone tells you) don't install one. We had Pergo installed at our old house and I was very happy with it. Never disintegrated with water (I'd never heard of that happening until now, but I won't discredit it). I mopped it a few times, vacuumed it or used a swiffer. I had two big dogs and small children and no worries about the floor. Paint, play-doh, crayons, food...no big deal. Go with what is practical for your time, money, and energy level. You'll be happier.
Belahn thanked Kelly
Brandi Nash Hicks
12 years ago
Pergo reminds me of older rental and that is not good
deborita81
12 years ago
I had Pergo in my first house and loved it. Had animals and two kids. Never a scratch. In my third house we ripped up carpet and installed an engineered cherry wood floor. It looks like crap when the light is reflecting on it. Chairs make dents even with felt pads. I have literally watched my cat scratch it !!
Belahn thanked deborita81
PRO
Patricia Colwell Consulting
12 years ago
Laminate flooring has come a long way baby you find it in Europe in some very posh places. I have laminate from Germany in my master bedroom that you would swear is carrara marble, comes in 24" x 12" tiles.
Belahn
Original Author
12 years ago
I still haven't decided, but after all these responses, I'm leaning toward Pergo. From the people who prefer wood, I can understand just wanting something natural but I don't understand why so many people hate Pergo. I guess if it floods it would be destroyed but wouldn't real wood get damaged in that situation as well? I think the only floors indestructible (in my experience) are slate and Mexican saltillo tile. I saw someone's house burn down and that Mexican tile was still there looking the same.
Andrew Turnbull
10 years ago
last modified: 10 years ago
I just installed hand-scraped Coffee Pergo in my master-bedroom and it's just fine, actually. Next time? Definitely I'm going with manufactured wood with bamboo. Why? It's a little bit more genuine yet not as over-the-top and costly as genuine hardwood flooring. Many Pergos can be absolutely stunning, so never ignore the option. I love it in my kitchen. Get the roughest-cut Pergo that you can TBH (it just looks less 'plasticy'. Manufacturerd wood flooring though, just takes it to another level in my opinion.