I know there was a recent thread on cleaning wood floors, but right now I would like to install all wood floors, but the cost is very expensive. What experience has anyone had from Pergo flooring? I have heard from someone that they liked it and another person said it seperated in a warm climate area. I live in the midwest in a cooler climate (not Lately, but that is summer) Also I would like to hear from someone who has installed their own floor. Right now we have all carpeting and tile. Also, will I need to put down a subfloor again and is there a foam backing on any of this. Thank you ahead of time. My carpets are an allergy problem for 2 members of my family and need to go fast. Jenn

-- jenn (normaj3@countrylife.net), July 10, 2001

Answers

I don't know about Pergo, but I do know that if you install flooring such as tile or square blocks start in the exact center of the room so that opposite edges will have the same size pieces. Its better for visual balance.

-- mitch hearn (moopups1@aol.com), July 10, 2001.

Mitch, that method can lead to alot of creative cutting should the center method give you real skinny strips along 2 or all walls, and if the room is out of square, lots of odd, skinny cuts. Better to take into consideration the enterance, the furniture placement and other "hiding factors and simply shif the "center" to give you full units on two sides and custom units on 2 walls. A shift of only an inch or two can save lots of work and end up looking better in the long run.

-- Willy Allen (willyallen2@yahoo.com), July 10, 2001.

jenn, we used to install carpet and vinyl flooring . we also did pergo the only draw back is the gluing. armstrong ( i believe ) makes a snap together flooring. your best bet would be to go to one of the big box stores ( menards lowes home depot ) home depot offers saturday clinics to do different projects also the floors i had done looked wonderful when done. truthfully if you can follow directions you can do a wonderful job. just take your time, relax and enjoy. you said you are midwest, we are in southwest michigan. hope this helps.

-- allan ulen (ulenhome@bct-bci.com), July 10, 2001.

Jenn.. I manage high end rental property and have seen a lot of Pergo and wood installed. My experience has been that one condo in a bldg where at least 5 others had Pergo or wood, rose up and creaked when you walked on it, only when there was high humidity. It may have been poor installation was the culprit. It is very important to use a leveler on your floor to ensure against dips and rough areas. A backing was applied for sound deadening. The manufacturers will provide you with a lot of info for doing it yourself. Read the instructions for all different brands, not just the one you decide upon as they can give you some tips/tricks that another mfg doesn't provide. Good luck with your project. CArole

-- Carole in Texas (carle@earthlink.net), July 10, 2001.

Jenn, you mention that the carpet presents allergy problems. One thing to consider with the Pergo is that they off-gas. If you have family members who are sensitive, this may be an issue.

-- Auntie Annie (sahamett@msn.com), July 10, 2001.

Hi, Jenn~ I have Wilsonart brand laminate flooring. I love it. It has a great appearance and is a snap to keep clean, and two dogs, one almost 100# and the other 40# make NO impression on it. No scratches, nothing like that at all. The dogs were the reason I went with this flooring over wood: I am no housekeeper and figured the easy care was going to be worth it.

-- Jennifer L. (Northern NYS) (jlance@imcnet.net), July 10, 2001.

Rats! Hit the wrong key! I wasn't finished. :) As far as installation, I hired a contractor who works by himself to put the floor in for me, since I was doing it through the whole house and have a large/long open room area that would be crucial to get started square on the wall. I'll do anything in my barn, but something that everyone sees in the house I wanted to look right. Every afternoon when he went home, and on the weekends, I just kept going with the job. I probably did about 1/3 of the house this way on my own. It worked out pretty well, since if I came to a spot where it looked like a problem to me, I just left it for him. Plus, he worked hourly and I saved quite a bit that way. Also, he got a really nice discount for me at the flooring place on the materials. All in all it was a good experience. If I were faced with doing it again, I'd do it on my own with no hesitation. It was easy and quite a fun job once I got the hang of it, and there really was no reason for a professional installation if you have common sense and a decent ability to work a circular and jig saw. A router would be nice, but wasn't necessary. Oh, and yes there's a foam backing. Comes in a large roll and you just put it down under the planks as you go. It's no big deal to work with at all.

One thing about the floor, though, in comparison to wood. There IS no comparison. Laminate flooring can look like wood, and it's hard, but that's it. Wood has a much different "foot feel". Apples and oranges, really.

-- Jennifer L. (Northern NYS) (jlance@imcnet.net), July 10, 2001.

Jenn: We recently installed our own wood flooring without any previous experience. It is red oak and tongue and groove. My husband and mostly our 16 year old son did the work. We picked up a video on how to do it at Eagle Hardware store and watched it several times. We then located two other men who had installed their own flooring and talked to them and looked at what they had done. We had the sub floor laid to make sure it was level and solid. We ordered the oak from Bear Creek Lumber Mill in Winthrop,WA. The salesmen there was also lots of help. One of the men who had laid his own came up the first day and help get the chalk line set up and get us started. It was amazing how simple it is once you get going. When we got ready to do the sanding we rented a sander and they had the sand paper. The same man (also the city fire inspector) came up and help us to get started. I love the wood. Believe me, we have eight children and it is indestructible. It is easy to clean and does not show the dirt. I wish we would have done this in our first house years ago. We do have a braided rug for sound in the living room and picked that up at a thrift store. The wood seems so much cleaner. If someone spills it is easily cleaned up and no stains. I hope I never have to go back to carpet. Good Luck!

-- Marie Fila (Mamafila@AOL.com), July 11, 2001.

When we were deciding we priced Pergo and wood and tile, installed and compared. They were very comparable when glues, nails, etc were included in the price comparison. The Pergo signs in the store of price per square foot look great, until the installation materials are included. be sure you add all that up too.

We then brought home samples. The Pergo seemed so tough in the store where they have a high heeled shoe you can beat against it in a display. (No, we don't even wear high-heeled shoes, LOL) We set the piece of Pergo on the floor and walked on it in bare feet. ICK! Then we dropped a butter knife onto it from waist high, letting it fall as it may. AAARRRGH--a gauge. Then we dropped a cup onto it. A dent. Ugh. We gave up on Pergo then and there. As my wise aunt said, If you are going to spend that much, why not get tile? Well, we did and we LOVE it. We just got oak flooring and we love it too. Next time we will install that ourselves.

-- Anne (HealthyTouch101@wildmail.com), July 11, 2001.

I installed pergo about 5 years ago in a house in N. Carolina with no air conditioner. I love it. It was simple to install and almost indestructable. You cannot seem to hurt it. The required vapor barrier should eliminate warpage problems.

-- david constantin (cajundavid@hotmail.com), July 12, 2001.

Thank you everyone for your suggestions. I am going to go to a workshop at one of our local stores. I will definately take my time on this as I want it to look nice when we are done. I did install linoleum in a small bathroom and it took me several hours, but it looks great and with the help of a good pattern and a helpful son (my Dh was unable to help at this time due to knee surgery)we did a good job, so I am hoping for the same results. I am having second thoughts on Pergo after posting here and talking to several people I am looking at the snap together floor method also. I'll post when I am done and let you know and I will start small. Thanks again. Jenn P.S. I found out my knees also needed to have more padding after that job!

-- Jenn (normaj3@countrylife.net), July 13, 2001.

jenn:

my husband is a professional carpenter/remodeler/rehabber, blah, blah, blah, and is actually quite excellent. he has installed wood, pergo, linoleum tile, ceramic tile, and helped do marble tile. pergo is easy to install (relatively, compared to wood, from what I have actually paid attention to him saying), is cheaper to buy and easier to maintain (more durable, and why the family chose it over wood). but if you have very specific questions, write us and i'll have him ask what he can for you.

-- marcee king (thathope@mwt.net), July 15, 2001.

Laminate is wonderful !!!! East to install, virtually indestructible. One hint - DO NOT MOP IT !!!!! Use a wet Swiffer or a slightly damp sponge mop. But don't slop the water on - that's what makes the seams buckle. By the way - see if there are any builder's salvage companies around your area - we get laminate under $1.00 per square foot !!!

-- Bill Iannazzo (manager@mountainescape.com), July 27, 2001.