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When To Use Vinyl Plank vs Pergo? (Pros/Cons/Cost)

There are many different choices when it comes to flooring. Some of those choices are going to make your home more luxurious and others can make it more comfortable. When is it best to choose either vinyl plank or Pergo?

Vinyl plank flooring is a great choice for any area of the home where moisture is likely to be a problem. Vinyl Pergo can also work in the same area but if you’re using standard Pergo, which is a laminate floor, it is best to avoid moisture.

Different kind of plank style

There is something that needs to be said about Pergo floor and it often is misunderstood. Pergo is the name of the company, not the style of the floor. The two are often interchangeable, such as saying you need a Kleenex when you actually need a tissue.

If you were to look at the different types of Pergo flooring on the market, you will discover that they offer laminate, which is the most common type. They also have a luxury vinyl floor as well as some wood floor selections. By expanding into these other areas, they make it possible to use their quality flooring and still use it in every area of the home.

For the purpose of this article, however, we are going to stick with what most people think about when they refer to Pergo floor. They think about a laminate floor, which can be beautiful, but it also has certain problems.

When To Use Vinyl Plank vs Pergo? (Pros/Cons/Cost)

One of the primary problems with a standard laminate floor is the fact that it is not waterproof. As the name would suggest, a laminate floor has several different layers that are laminated together.

The top layer of Pergo floor is a water-resistant layer. If it is installed properly and you don’t get too much water on the floor, it can stand up to it just fine.

The problem is, inside of the Pergo laminate floor is a composite material that cannot get wet. If it does get wet, it will swell and the floor will be ruined.

That is why we typically say that vinyl plank flooring is superior to the standard Pergo flooring, especially when installing it in the bathroom or other areas of the home where moisture may exist. Otherwise, you can just purchase the Pergo vinyl floor and install it.

You also need to consider some of the features that may be available with a vinyl floor, and in particular, the Pergo brand. Their luxury vinyl floors may have more than just a standard option.

For example, Pergo offers waterproof, stain-proof, antimicrobial, dent-proof, and even pet-friendly options. They also offer a matte and low-level gloss finish. You can also find this in other vinyl plank flooring, but you may pay less for it than if you purchased Pergo floor.

For now, let’s stick with our definition of Pergo floor being a laminate floor. We’ll look at the pros and cons between the two different types of floor and when one may be preferred over another.

Pros, Cons And Cost Comparison Between Pergo vs Vinyl Plank

Installing vinyl plank flooring

There is certainly a difference between the standard laminate Pergo flooring and what you would find in vinyl plank flooring. What is the difference and how can it affect the installation?

1. Performance: You want a floor that you can depend on but you also want one that is comfortable under your feet. The feel of laminate floor is hollow compared to a vinyl floor. Pergo may have some sound absorption built into it, but you will likely be happier with the choice of vinyl.

2. Durability: When you compare Pergo to vinyl plank floor, you will find that vinyl is certainly going to be much more durable. Pergo does offer some durability as they are a high-quality option, but a laminate floor is more susceptible to scuffing and scratches.

3. Heating: One of the pleasures in life, especially in the bathroom, is a heated floor. You can use heating with both Pergo and vinyl plank, but vinyl will be able to handle the transfer of the heat more efficiently. That will save money on your energy bill.

4. Appearance: Obviously, you want to choose a floor that is going to be beautiful and will stay beautiful for a long time. Pergo and vinyl plank both do a good job of bringing out the look of wood or stone. More than likely, however, you will enjoy the appearance of Pergo because it is such a well-known and quality brand.

5. Health: We want a floor in the home we can trust and we also want one that will not produce gas over time that is harmful to our health. Vinyl is made from the same material as PVC, and it will off-gas for many years. Pergo may also off-gas, but not as much.

6. Moisture: Both Pergo and vinyl floor offer surfaces that are water resistant but vinyl goes much further in that it is waterproof from the top to the bottom. Even if you happen to get water under the vinyl plank, it will stand up to it nicely.

7. Cleaning: Both Pergo and vinyl floors can be dry mopped on a daily basis and you can wet mop them as needed. The real difference is the amount of water that can be used. You need to be cautious when mopping Pergo or you need to use one of their cleaning kits.

8. Installation: You will be happy with both Pergo and vinyl plank because they are both easy to install. More than likely, however, you will be happier with Pergo because they have a proven PerfectFold click system.

Copyright article owner is ReadyToDiy.com for this article. This post was first published on December 9, 2022.

When To Use Vinyl Plank That’s Better Than Pergo?

Installing vinyl plank flooring

When you need to choose between Pergo and vinyl plank, there are going to be times when vinyl is a much better choice. When is that?

1. Moisture – When you get right down to it, vinyl plank is the obvious choice when it comes to any area of the home where moisture could be a problem. You can install it in the bathroom, basement, or even a built-in sunroom with confidence.

The reason why vinyl is such a good choice for these areas of the home is that it will stand up to a lot of water. It is 100% resistant to water, even if you spill something on it and it gets down in the seams between the planks. Pergo, on the other hand, will be destroyed if it gets too wet.

2. Heating – If you are using underfloor heating, then vinyl plank is going to be a better choice. Although Pergo can also be used with underfloor heating, vinyl tends to transfer the heat better so you will save money and be more comfortable.

3. Price – If you want to save money, then choosing a more generic vinyl plank flooring is the way to go. There are plenty of options on the market that are both beautiful and economical, and you can even find sales that will save you further.

On the other hand, Pergo is a national brand that is quite expensive. It does have a lot of beauty to bring to the table, but you are going to pay for it.

4. Livable – You will be happy with both Pergo and vinyl plank flooring but if you have a busy home with kids and pets, you will likely be happier with vinyl plank flooring. Pergo can be susceptible to damage and although it does take a lot to damage it, vinyl is more durable.

We all want to live on our flooring, which is why we say that vinyl plank flooring is the best choice. Pergo is beautiful, but if it is damaged, that damage is easy to see.

When To Use Pergo That’s Better Than Vinyl Plank?

confused man standing

We’ve already discussed the fact that vinyl plank flooring can be used in a number of different scenarios and it may even be a better choice than Pergo. There are times, however, when we may want to use Pergo, including the following:

1. Luxury – If you want something luxurious under your feet, you can’t do better than Pergo. Some of their collections are made so beautifully that you will have a difficult time telling if it is actually hardwood or a laminate floor.

2. Underlayment – Although you can put underlayment under vinyl plank or Pergo, you do need to be cautious with the type you choose if you are using vinyl plank. We’ve already discussed the fact that Pergo is a little noisier than vinyl plank but with the right underlayment, it can be even more comfortable and quieter.

3. Installation – One other thing to consider is the installation of the floor. Most vinyl plank flooring is easy to install but Pergo offers installation options that will go down quickly and are easily accomplished by any DIY enthusiast.

Both vinyl plank and Pergo flooring are compatible with each other but vinyl offers the ability to repel and stand up to moisture, making it a great choice for areas of the home that tend to be damp.

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ReadyToDIY is the owner of this article. This post was published on December 9, 2022.

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