Anyone have any experience with Laminate wood floors?

[Doglover8180]

I am looking to switch out the living room from carpet to laminate wood flooring - I would like to purchse the cheapest laminate possible WITHOUT sacrificing quality.... I have heard bad things about Pergo scratching easily... can anyone recommend a good brand to use or the ones you might want to stay away from?? I'd greatly appreciate hearing your experiences with the different brands that you might have in your homes.... THanks. :smile77::shrug7:

[Iluvdeals1]

I have had Pergo for over a year now and no scratches and 3 young kids running around but the kind I have they discontinued and no longer carry it.

[fussypants]

We done our entire house in Pergo laminate a couple of years ago. Since it was such a big job we researched quite a bit and then went with the Pergo. We were worried about price, but we also wanted something that would last since we were doing the whole house. We found that the home stores (Lowes, Home Depot) had just as good of prices as anywhere else. Just my opinion, but, I would have a professional installer do it. Then you not only have a warranty on the flooring itself but also on the installation.

As far as scratching, NEVER. At the time I had 2 big dogs and 6 (yes I know!) ferrets plus one wild 6 year old. Constant running and playing and never a scratch to be found. We did look into real wood flooring first. The man that came to give us an estimate said laminate is by far superior for anyone with kids and pets.

The installer even gave us a demonstration of the durability before he started. He pulled a plank out of the box. Laid it on the floor in front of him. Then proceeded to take a HUGE hammer and beat the crap out of it. NOTHING.

Now, sharp things is another story. I was hanging a mirror up in my son's room and managed to drop it from above my head. It of course shattered. But, the only damage to the floor was a small (size of a pea) gouge in the floor from where I guess the corner of the mirror hit.

I say go for it. I HATE carpet. Hate Hate Hate it. I don't think you will be disappointed in Pergo.

Good luck!:smile77:

[debbiepete]

I also have laminate in all the bedrooms and office. We got ours at Sams with a great deal. 5 years later still looks brand new and very easy to maintain.

[mom2lucas]

Our playroom has laminate, and we love it. The kids haven't hurt it yet and we've been living here since last July. Its actaully the kind from Walmart I think. We didn't put it in; it was already here. The box with the extra boards looks like the boxes I've seen on clearance at Walmart.

[Doglover8180]

I purchased some Pergo Global Passage but don't have enough to finish the room - so I was going to return the whole thing - even though I got it for under $10 a box when it was regularly $36 dollars a box... however it has been discontinued and I cannot find an additional 60 sq feet anywhere online of this color and I have read alot that the Pergo Global Passage series scratches easily... ALot of you mentioned that you have Pergo on here - does anyone have the Global Passage series... I am concerned about scratching after what all I read online.

[nurseannette]

We have laminate wood flooring in our living room and hall way. I really
like it alot. I do think its generally pretty durable. My husband does not
always use common sense when moving furniture on it though.

[NIGHTB1022]

Check out lumberliquidators.com for your Pergo, they are in almost every state and they are cheap.

[meems]

I think it depends on the brand, I clean for two people that have it & I hate it..you can't just mop it, you have to mop then dry or it streaks.

[puakinikini]

We did our living room and dining room and love it! Best decision we have made. We price shopped extensively and ended up buying it at Costco with a $5 off a box coupon - this was in March 2008. We had it professionally installed by a friend as I was afraid my DH is not OCD enough to line up the wood properly. With 4 kids and a dog - no scratches yet.