Pergo Reviews 2023: What Buyers are Saying

Trying to decide whether to put Pergo floors in your home? We don’t blame you. Pergo is one of the most popular brands of flooring on the market and offers an excellent balance between looks, durability, and affordability. But now you’re looking into Pergo reviews and you might have some questions.

We get it. There are tons of Pergo reviews, and it’s hard to know which ones to believe! It’s a natural consequence of Pergo’s longevity—this flooring has been around for over 40 years.

But have no fear—we’re here to cut through the fog. Below, we’re going to talk about some of the most common Pergo reviews, put them in context, and explain the differences between Pergo’s many offerings. Then, we’ll give you some practical tips for choosing the right Pergo product and warranty for you. 

Basically, we’re going to help you find the perfect type of flooring for your home—especially if it’s Pergo!  

First and Foremost: What is Pergo?

Tons of flooring manufacturers make luxury vinyl and laminate products—Armstrong, Shaw, and Mohawk, just to name a few. But while these companies are all headliners in the flooring industry, Pergo actually specializes in these floors. 

Why, you ask? Because Pergo actually invented laminate! And it’s been synonymous with the product ever since. These days, the company manufactures three main products:

1. Pergo Extreme: The company’s flagship rigid vinyl/LVT product, Pergo Extreme is considered some of the best vinyl flooring on the market today.
   1. Pergo Extreme comes in 4 collections and over 60 total varieties, from wood-look to tile and beyond.
   2. Pergo Extreme is not sold in box stores—it’s only available through independent flooring retailers. 
2. Pergo Laminate: The company’s original product, Pergo laminate is almost always sold at box stores.
   1. While laminate was Pergo’s flagship product for many years, its market share is slowly being overtaken by the company’s newer vinyl offerings.
   2. Pergo’s products are nevertheless some of the top laminate products on the market today, and they come in 4 collections totaling hundreds of individual items. These include Pergo TimberCraft (available at Lowes) and Pergo Outlast (available at Home Depot).
   3. Almost all of the Pergo reviews you’ll see online concern the company’s laminate products.
3. Pergo Hardwood: Available in both engineered and solid varieties, this product comes in 2 collections of almost 40 total products.

The history of Pergo

Pergo created the first laminate floors back in the 1970s, and introduced their products to the US market in the mid-’90s. In 2013, Mohawk Industries acquired the company and has continued to produce under the Pergo brand (just one of several Mohawk laminate flooring brands sold today). As we mentioned, Pergo can now be found at Home Depot, Lowes, and other flooring stores near you. 

Why is Pergo so popular?

One of the reasons Pergo is popular among consumers is the large selection it offers. The company produces four main collections of Pergo Extreme, along with 4 collections of laminate flooring—and there are dozens of options within each collection. 

IMPORTANT NOTE: Not All Pergo is the Same

This brings us to a really important point: “Pergo” is a brand name—not a type of flooring.

The Pergo laminate you’re getting at Lowe’s is not the same as the Pergo vinyl you’re getting at your neighborhood flooring store. They’re entirely different types of flooring!

Thinking vinyl and laminate are the same because they’re both made by Pergo is like thinking that pianos and motorcycles are the same because they’re both made by Yamaha!

And with Pergo, that matters. Because while some products like Pergo Extreme (the company’s luxury vinyl offering) is really highly regarded, other Pergo products… well, keep reading for more info on that.

Pergo Extreme Reviews: What are People Saying?

Now that we have some context, let’s talk reviews! Pergo reviews can vary, which makes sense. All types of flooring have inherent pros and cons, and Pergo has offered many different products over the years.

Our advice: educate yourself. Your best bet is to do some research to find the best vinyl plank flooring brands for you.

With that in mind, let’s go over some of the most common topics that appear in Pergo reviews. And because we only promote local flooring dealers, we’re only going to discuss reviews of Pergo Extreme—not the laminate products sold at box stores.

Pergo Extreme is particularly DIY-friendly

This comes as no surprise (given that vinyl is sold as a click-together flooring system), but a number of DIY bloggers have lauded Pergo as a particularly DIY-friendly floor.

This could be due to the fact that the company provides a lot of installation information for the DIY crowd. Additionally, snap-together flooring can go over most hard-surfaced subfloors. 

It’s true—some products, like Pergo Extreme, need a specific underlayment or subfloor (and if you’re wondering what subflooring is or don’t know the difference between a subfloor vs. underlayment, we’ve got you covered).

But a number of Pergo Extreme reviews have shown us that these underlayments are also relatively DIY-friendly, and can completely do away with many traditional disadvantages of floating floors. Talk about a win-win!

Lots of buyers have lauded Pergo Extreme’s durability

Many positive Pergo Extreme reviews highlight its durability—standing up to kids, dogs, heavy furniture, and foot traffic. If durability is your concern, we would recommend that you find a flooring dealer in your area to discuss products and prices. They’re the real experts, and they can help you find the most durable flooring options around.

Pergo’s customer service reviews are generally positive

Speaking of repairs: many consumers have been very positive about Pergo’s customer service. There are numerous reports of helpful resolutions to issues, new boards being sent out, and quick response times.

And we’d take any negative reviews with a grain of salt. Happy customers rarely leave reviews, while furious customers leave them often.

One constant review: people love the way Pergo looks 

Vinyl and laminate floors have come a long way over the years. These days, Pergo’s imaging is so realistic, it’s hard to tell the difference between the grooves and notches of hardwood flooring and the company’s design layers. 

Pergo Extreme Costs

The cost of Pergo varies depending on the collection. In general, you can expect to pay between $2 and $7 per square foot for Pergo Extreme. If you choose to get it installed, the cost will be higher.

That puts it just around dead-center when it comes to the average cost to install vinyl plank flooring.

Are Pergo Floors Waterproof?

This is a great question. Like we said, it all depends on the product you buy! Life gets messy—you want to choose a flooring option that can stand up to your lifestyle. So, what are your waterproof flooring options and how does Pergo stand up to the rest? 

Modern technology is a major game changer and has allowed Pergo to improve the resilience of laminate flooring. But it isn’t waterproof the way Mohawk’s RevWood laminate is (even though Pergo does offer some waterproof laminate options). For an entirely waterproof flooring option, we’d recommend going with Pergo Extreme.

Additionally: correct installation is crucial to ensure waterproofing your floors. If liquid gets between and underneath any laminate boards, the organic core of the planks will warp. If you look into the pros and cons of hardwood, you’ll find the same problem. 

Pergo is very clear in its installation requirements, including specific sealant recommendations in order to ensure a more waterproof surface.

Pergo Extreme Reviews vs. Pergo Laminate Reviews

You might have noticed that we’ve been talking a lot about Pergo Extreme reviews, and not as much about Pergo laminate reviews. There are a couple of reasons for this.

For one, most flooring dealers we speak with these days tell us that Pergo Extreme has really become the company’s most popular product. And of course, we want to give readers what they want—and what they want to hear about is Pergo Extreme.

For another, Pergo’s laminate options are so widespread (again, they’ve been making it for 50 years) that it’s almost impossible to talk about “overall” reviews. There are just too many products with too many different pros and cons!

That being said, if you’re interested in learning how laminate stacks up against other types of flooring, check out these comparison guides to vinyl plank vs. laminate, laminate vs. hardwood floors, or bamboo flooring vs. laminate.

What to Look For in a Warranty: Learning From Negative Pergo Reviews

By far the number one issue discussed in Pergo reviews: the warranty. And this isn’t really Pergo’s fault, per se—a lot of people just don’t seem to read the terms and conditions.

So: if you want to avoid warranty issues, be sure you understand exactly what your warranty covers and who’s responsible if things go wrong.

Based on the warranty concerns discussed most often in Pergo reviews, we’d recommend the following:

Clarify the length of the warranty 

We can’t stress this enough—be very clear on the wording! Some Pergo products include a 6-month manufacturing warranty. That means 6 months from the date of purchase for any manufacturing defects. Save your receipt and be proactive with any questions or issues.

What does “limited lifetime warranty” actually mean?

Pergo’s warranty policies are very specific to the product you’re purchasing. This is very important—different Pergo products have different warranty parameters.

For example, Timbercraft is not recommended for rooms without climate control. That means it’s not a good choice for seasonal rooms that may get cold in the winter or hot in the summer. The fluctuations in temperature will inevitably affect the integrity of the laminate flooring and the warranty won’t cover the damages.

Pergo Extreme, on the other hand, is entirely synthetic and can be placed in any room of the house.

Pay attention to installation guidelines

If your flooring isn’t installed according to company guidelines, your warranty may be compromised. This includes the integrity of the underlayment, allowing the planks to acclimate to the room temperature, etc.

Scratches and dings are often covered under warranty, but not always. Pergo provides a lot of information intended to guide the consumer on how to care for their laminate flooring, so read their dos and don’ts in order to get the longest life out of your floors.

Pro tip: some laminate floors require corner sealing to achieve a waterproof surface, but that’s not exactly unique. Even the best cork flooring products on the market need to be sealed periodically!

How do I Use Pergo Reviews to Choose the Best Floor for Me?

This one really comes down to your needs! Pergo’s amazingly realistic look—paired with its technology—has pushed vinyl and laminate products into the same arena as more traditional wood flooring types. That means you can use them in many of the same applications.

Of course, your decision should consider the room that you are working on. Cozy bedroom remodel? Investigate carpet vs. laminate to ensure a good decision. Re-flooring your kitchen or bathroom? Research tile vs. laminate to understand the difference.

Think about the style that’s already reflected in your home’s furniture, decor, and color pallet. And of course, talk with your local flooring retailer to share your ideas and concerns. They should be able to guide you on the best laminate option for you and your family. 

Conclusion: Pergo Extreme Reviews Show That it’s a Good Investment—But Other Brands Do Exist…

Did we fulfill our promise to clear the fog? The bottom line is that new flooring is a big deal and there are a lot of flooring types to choose from. And when it comes to Pergo, your satisfaction will highly depend on the specific product you purchase.

Example: Pergo Extreme reviews are generally super positive. It’s one of the best vinyl plank flooring brands for a reason, after all.

That being said, other brands do exist—and may offer things that Pergo does not. For example, Proximity Mills offers a fantastic price-to-value ratio and makes some of the best low-VOC vinyl flooring around. Some of the better laminate brands, like Newton, even sell waterproof options at a low price. It all comes down to what you’re looking for!

We hope this guide to Pergo reviews (and what they mean for your floors) has been helpful. Now, you’re ready to talk to the real experts—local flooring retailers! Use this flooring stores near me search to find one in your area. And for even more information to help you find the perfect floor, check out: