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what is better, Pergo or hardwood, for a kitchen floor? 
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Asked by slw from San Mateo, CAAnswered 16 years ago.
112 Answers
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I wouldn't recommend either. I say that as an installer, repairman and consultant. I started installing in 1971. I've learned more by doing repairwork since 1993--as well as I've learned much by taking-up old floors since 1971. When I saw things I didn't understand, I'd ask the consumers and they taught me quite a lot through the years.
For anything you do in the flooring industry, I'd say you should consider the following. If you buy flooring that costs a hundred dollars a yard or a foot, consider that if the installation is not equal to the need, then your 100 dollar a foot goods will be worth what the installer knows and can produce. Most installers are paid poorly and have been since 1971--that I can prove. Since most people wouldn't understand a good job if they saw it, never believe what anyone tells you. Flooring can fail the first day or anytime after that and the industry as a rule, hire the cheapest installers possible.
The manufacturers are making the materials to fail much quicker and in a myrid of ways, just as the retailers use for the most part, the cheapest labor, so the consumers have to buy new flooring much sooner.
What you see is not necessarily what you get. Here's a test for all of you at home. Use the wooden part of the hammer, to tap on your wood or tile floors. Tap near the edges of the floor first and then work your way in. Listen for hollow spots. I'd say from all the testing I've done, probably 95% of the wood and tile floors installed have hollow spots. By the way, hollow areas are a bad thing.
A 1.50 a ft installer may be many times better than a 3.00 a ft installer or just as easily, he can be many times worse, but since the industry refuses to use proof to find-out, the general public usually gets had and unless you want to spend mega money suing them--which they know 99% of you won't, then you get the BBB. They are paper tigers.
I'd suggest that you use either ceramice or Luxury vinyl tile. You could also use vinyl corolon, which is really really strong or one of the other hard goods vinyls.
Many, many times, I've seen the laminates go to pieces if too much moisture gets to them. Solid wood will buckle terribly with too much moisture or water.
Most moisture problems will be blamed on the consumer. If the installer uses inferior glyue or uses the glue incorrectly, the co's will blame it on the consumer if they can get away with it. They'll ask you a bunch of questions and they'll use any pretext they can.
The flooring industry doesn't allow for comparison for that reason. They want to keep you ignorant. That way, they can say whatever they want. Since the retailers and mills control the installers--even though they say they don't, I know first hand. Blackballing is their first choice. However, if you own a private business like I do, they can't--unless they want to take drastic measures.
Many years ago an installer turned inspector and offered free inspections. He was making all kinds of money on behalf of the general public, until he turned-up dead.
The flooring industry is rottenh to the core, because there is no oversight and no proof. Justice is not in the retailers or mills lexicon.
The industry by its actions, forces the general public to trust them. Bad idea.
Answered by Able Carpet Repair
335 Glynlea Road,
Jacksonville,
FL, 32216,
904-860-9758
(Novice with 1 pts.)
Answered 16 years ago. -
I see you asked seven months ago, but maybe you haven't bought yet. I inspect problem floors for a living. I personally would not install a laminate floor in a kitchen or bathroom area, only because of the potential water hazards.
I also would not put a cork floor in an area exposed to water, as it also will swell, the cork is only the wear layer, the rest is pressed material. My parents installed a 3/4" inch maple hardwood floor in both the kitchen and bathroom. The bathroom has a shower, sink and toilet. Mom does put a towel on the floor behind the toilet because of condensation. So yes, the hardwood being exposed to water can experience some problems when exposed to water. If you really want the wood look, then you should look at engeneered wood floors. They are plyed layers of wood. They are MUCH less suseptable to moisture issues. I've seen such floors totally covered with water for over 24 hours, and it still came out looking good. The main reason for that was because the company drying out the floor knew what they were doing. It did need to be refinished.
These floors can be nailed down, glued down, or just assembled and made a floating floor. By far, in my opinion, your best choice. I would like to add, regardless of what type of floor you choose, (if you haven't already), then learn all you can about how it is to be installed, and be there during the installation process from start to finish so you know that it is in fact being installed correctly. Each manufacturer offers their installation instructions on line, or you can call them and they would be happy to send you the complete instructions. Learning how it is to be installed is not hard, and watching the installation as it progresses is extremely important. If it is done wrong, it will cause you endless headaches down the road. Many of the installers don't want the consumer to watch them work, but you are probably paying hundreds, if not a couple thousand dollars for the installation. To bad if the installer dosen't like it, if it's not done correctly you will be very unhappy for a long long time.Answered by Midwest Carpet Cleaning County Rd X, Beloit, WI, 53511, 608-676-4059 (Novice with 16 pts.)
Answered 16 years ago. -
Working in the restoration business gives a person a little different perspective. Usually after a fire or water leak the only thing left intact is the tile floor. As for me there is no other wise choice for wet areas. Even though your kitchen is supposed to be dry, one small leak is all it takes to destroy a wood floor, go with some kind of tile or stone. My kitchen floor is nine years old and still looks like new.
Answered by Classic Rock
1550 SE 172nd Ave,
Portland,
OR, 97233,
503-209-2111
(Novice with 1 pts.)
Answered 16 years ago. -
I would never suggest any kind of wood in a wet area. Any kind of wood will soak up the water and start to smell. For all wet areas, such as kitchens, baths or entry ways, I would suggest using a tile. Whether it be ceramic, porcelain or a natural stone. Water is generally not as big of a concern as a wood floor would be.
Answered by Kenny's Custom Flooring
3921 E. San Miguel,
Colorado Springs,
CO, 80909,
719-686-3460
(Novice with 9 pts.)
Answered 16 years ago. -
It all depends on the customer to each its own, But I can tell you this that a lot of Pergo floors tend to warp pretty bad when expose to just small amounts of water while they might last for years in dry areas. I personally prefer engineered wood in the kitchen if any.
Answered by Top Notch Carpets LLC
709 Green Street,
Winchester,
VA, 22601,
540-514-1654
(Novice with 2 pts.)
Answered 16 years ago. -
I personally have laminate in my kitchen, and I love it(it is not Pergo)-it is very easy to clean!!! I have heard complaints about Pergo and warping. I think it's a matter of choice. We installed hardwood flooring 30 years ago when we built our home, and we now need to refinish for the third time, but there are new finishes on the market which will last for many, many years. Hardwood flooring will increase the value of your home, or, at the very least, sell your home more quickly, when you choose to do so.
Answered by Frugal Fortune
15408 Madison Avenue,
Lakewood,
OH, 44107,
216-889-3701
(Mentor with 524 pts.)
Answered 16 years ago. -
I would definitely recommend hardwood over Pergo - hardwood is not only A LOT more durable, it allows you to customize the floors to your liking. Pergo is very slippery, and once you damage it - you need to replace it. Hardwood gives you the ability to refinish, restain - plus it will be there for many years to come.
Answered by Exclusive Wood Flooring
1236 Allanson Rd,
Mundelein,
IL, 60060,
847-566-3858
(Novice with 1 pts.)
Answered 16 years ago. -
What you are asking is which product is better, laminated or hadwood flooring in a kitchen. The real answer can be determined by where it wll be installed. In a kitchen you deal with spills and liquids. A laminated flooring material will fair much better, however there are degrees of quality in which you should consider. Just as any other product, laminate flooring comes in: good, better & best. In a kitchen I would perfer to install the best for durablity. The kitchen is where you spend much of your time. As for hardwood, the joints, edges and bottoms are usually not sealed after installation and the flooring will expand & contract with temerature. During cold months the edges look as though they are separating which is normal. If the joints are too tight in cold weather the flooring could buckle in warm weather due to the fact that there is no room for normal expansion.Most important, any spilled liquids or water soluble detergents will seep down the joints & seams and eventually warp and ruin the finish of the hardwood. I've seen this 1000 times.
Answered by B Sure Home Inspection Company LLC
P.O. Box 368,
Windsor,
CT, 06095,
860-285-0332
(Novice with 4 pts.)
Answered 16 years ago. -
While both Laminate and hardwood have advantages and disadvantages (all floors do). The only real answer to that question resides with you. Before choosing either floor I would suggest that you have a professional installer go over (hopefully with an unbiased opinion) each and every category from durability to cost effectiveness. A true proffesional flooring mechanic will be able to handle this and guide you to the proper product for your floor (which may not be either one could be a vinyl or ceramic). If your flooring pro cannot provide you with growth rate info for your area, a call to a real estate agent will. This call will give you an idea of how much you can spend on your floor and other home projects. These numbers are important so you don't spend money you won't recoupe at time of sale. Another peice of advice is to look closely at what your neighbors have for their kitchen floors. It is wise to protect the value of your home by staying at or above par for the neighborhood. And remember hardwood scratches and dents are considered character. And that is an inherent trait of that floor. Laminate is only considered as an upgrade from vinyl. It is not indestructable either.
Answered by Erics Custom Tile 11036 E McKinley Osc1, Osceola, IN, 46561, 574-532-7844 (Novice with 9 pts.)
Answered 16 years ago. -
AS A ENDORSED INSTALLER FROM PERGO I WOULD LIKE TO TELL YOU THAT IF THE LAMINATE FLOOR IS INSTALLED CORRECTLY YOU WILL BE MUCH HAPPER WITH IT. THE HARD WOOD SCRATCHES AND WILL SWELL WITH MOISTURE AFTER AWHILE.WOOD ALSO INDENTS VERY EASY IF YOU WALK WITH HIGH HEAL SHOES. THERE IS A PRODUCT ON THE MARKET CALLED KONECTO THAT IS 100% WATER PROOF IT IS A FLOATING FLOOR PRODUCT THAT CAN BE INSTALLED VERY EASY. CHECK OUT THEIR WEB SITE TO GATHER MORE INFO
Answered by Bella Casa Floors and Home Fashions
256 South Summit Ave, Hackensack, NJ,
Hackensack,
NJ, 07601,
201-343-3438
(Novice with 6 pts.)
Answered 16 years ago.
