Pergo Laminate

dnebout

No kidding! I bought it from ProSource in Concord CA. I'm looking at the invoice now and that was the price. Everybody else wanted alot more.

PrecisionFloors

Not to offend anyone but laminate and hardwood are two totally different products, intended to appeal to different customers and markets. Those who insist on comparing apples to oranges and calling one a "bad" value against the other is a little short sighted and un educated imho. What if Jill Homeowner has a very active lifestyle with 3.4 kids, 2 dogs, 1 cat, and a hampster named Wanger (named by the 13 yr old son cause he can ask girls "hey you wanna pet my Wanger") but loves the look of Honey Pine plank through out her downstairs? "Real" wood would look like crap in less than a year while Wilsonart Red Label will look brand new in 10 years. What do you do, talk her into carpet? Talk her into real wood because heck it's the same price? You just lost a sale or a happy client because you refuse to educate yourself about your product and your market. Laminate and Hardwood are not the same thing.. just like Ceramic and Vinyl are not, even though there are tons of vinyl that looks just like tile. Ok I'm done now lol Also as a side note: even though the price of the product may be the same I bet the cost of install isn't I install and sell both, depends on my customers wants and needs.

dnebout

That's why we went with the laminate.

Floorwizard

What a great post.
That's the frame of mind of a true salesperson.
great job!

__________________
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"in 20 years you will regret more what you did not do than what you did"

Mike Finley

Yes, exactly they are two different products, but where you focus on appeal I am focusing on value. My reply was that if somebody is already spending x amount of money for Pergo laminate flooring and 3/4 hardwood in 3 inch width pre-finished is available for the exact same price what is the appeal of the Pergo? Other than of course no having the great fun time of dealing with this crackling issue that came with it!

I don't think there is a case ever to be made that laminate is going to add as much value to a homes appraised value as a similarly priced hardwood floor will. I don't see too much laminate going into million dollar homes either. My experiences and correct me if yours are different, but my experiences with the exception of rare installation issues aside, the choice for laminate vs hardwood is almost always a one based on the budget.

Teetorbilt

The largest problem that I see with woods is tracking and scoring. The HO decides to rearrange the room with the armoir full, she and the maid decide to DIY it. The feet score tracks across the room and the slightest piece of debris scratches the finish. This can be a very expensive move.

A good quality laminate will take this in stride.

I'm beginning to find some problems with the 'modern "engineered" woods', anybody else?

__________________
You can't solve you're problems with the same level of thinking that created the problems.

Albert Einstein

PrecisionFloors

I can understand your point of view Mike, but over here that's just not the case. I have put ALOT of laminate in half million dollar homes and up. I even installed Wilsonart Red label in a 6 million dollar home in a development where lot prices *start* at a million bucks. In all reality what is a 10 grand value swing in a say a 1.2 million dollar house anyway? People who live in those homes buy what they like first not what is gonna gain them the most appraisal value. As far as they snip about the Pergo crackling...well I have had plenty of issues with real wood and manufacturing defects and improper install too, so what's your point? Not trying to be an ass, I just like educated debate Teetorbilt's post is exactly why next month I am ripping up 1200 sf of prefinished hardwood to reinstall laminate...in a probably 800 thousand dollar home. They are tired of having to baby they're floor so laminate is what they have found to give them what they need. That's what they want, cost doesn't even figure into the equation.

Mike Finley

Thanks Precision. Interesting observations. Either I just haven't noticed it or our markets are completely different. (and I could well have just never noticed it! ) I'll take some closer looks and keep my eyes open. The stuff I see trending in million dollar homes here is Ipe, Mahoganies, what looks like reclaimed barn woods or old growth floors and lots of hand hand scraped erotic hardwoods. I just don't see laminate, but like I said, I might be missing it.

There is no doubt about it in regard to high dollar might not equate to easy living. Last one I was involved with they had dark, dark Ipe floors, the dust off your shoes tracked across it everywhere you walked.

PrecisionFloors

No sweat Mike, I appreciate a different perspective too. If you haven't already, take a look at some of the upper end laminates when you get a chance... might suprise you as to their look and feel. Wilsonart and Columbia both have some hand scraped stuff that is very nice, and could definitely compete look wise with real wood imho. Also my previous posts were about people who really "live" on their floors, not summer homes or getaways for the rich. Those will still almost always exclusively be the same thing you are seeing out there.

Floorwizard

Let's not forget that if you purchase a million plus home, they will have value in wood.
There are tons of homes where the value may not go up at all, and certainly some people may only plan on being in the home a short while, and wood may not be practical.
The crackling issue is not Pergo. It's CHEAP Pergo. there is a difference.
These issues are mostly the problem of HD and their exclusive cheap Pergo line.

I saw a house that was worth $900,000 and had lam, I though it looked cheap. But, that's what they wanted and were happy. And that is where you find the true answer to the VALUE question.

__________________
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"in 20 years you will regret more what you did not do than what you did"

RichSmith1

I find that those cheap $1 laminates without the backing have more sound to them than 8mm and thicker. Customers always wanna save a buck though and it honestly aint worth it. With that 6mm crap with no padding/foam I end up trashing 1/2 of it cause it chips the edges as soon as you remove them from the box.
The kind with some backing on it already is the best way to go to reduce noise, cracking and damage of the peices.

PrecisionFloors

If you use a good quality underlayment you don't have the noise issues, no matter what the thickness of the product. I do agree on the chipping though.

Teetorbilt

One also must remember that most $1M+ homes go to older folks, not really 'active' households.

I live in FL (lots of sand), still have pets, a pool and kids in their 20's. Wood or laminate? I went high-end laminate to get me through this period. I plan to replace with solid wood in the future and am collecting Dade County pine towards that end.

__________________
You can't solve you're problems with the same level of thinking that created the problems.

Albert Einstein

Mike Finley

Probably in Florida, but not here for certain.

Teetorbilt

Mike, I was going on a national basis, we live in exceptional areas.

__________________
You can't solve you're problems with the same level of thinking that created the problems.

Albert Einstein

PrecisionFloors

Hey Teetor, I was born in Vero Beach and grew up in St Lucie County, parents still live in PSL. I know what ya mean about that sand.. tough on real wood for shure.

Teetorbilt

Precision, How in the H did you wind up in VA.?

Just to make you homesick, lows are in the 60's and high's are in the upper 70's. The Pompano are running and most inland bites are on. Offshore, the Spanish never leave, Sails have set new records, Swords are picking up but the Dolphin bite is off quite a bit.

Hope that you're having fun in the Ice and Snow.

__________________
You can't solve you're problems with the same level of thinking that created the problems.

Albert Einstein

PrecisionFloors

Thanks for the weather update.....damn you! lol! I think I miss the beach more than anything. Did they ever finish the causway project there in Jensen? I personally think they ruined one of the best spots to spend a Sunday in S. FL. I joined the Navy when I was 19 and ended up in Norfolk for 3 1/2 years. Met my wife here in Hampton and after I got out of the Navy came back home and got into the flooring trade. After a few years I went out on my own and decided Florida was too cut throat for me business wise. Seems like the cheaper you are the "better" you are down there. Anyway, had an old Navy buddy up here check into things for me and it appeared the market up here was more suited to what I was trying to do so...turned out well . I couldn't be in a better place business wise. I do however plan to one day retire in Jensen Beach. One of my favorite places in all of Florida outside of the Keys. Reminds me of there a great deal....as long as developers don't ruin it.

dnebout

OK inspector came out. Everything was installed correctly. He checked for 3/16 in 10' variation and I was cool. They gave me a certificate to replace the whole floor. Pergo really stands behind their product!!!!

pmbarber

dnebout, I have the exact same floor and although it does look very, very nice I have the same crackling problem you described. Can you tell me the procedure of getting the Pergo rep out and what they will be looking for? Thank you.