Pergo flooring is specifically designed with a unique tongue and groove system to make installation easy and accurate. You can do it yourself or have a professional install it for you. Your retailer can recommend a professional installer. But if you are thinking about installing Pergo flooring yourself, you will probably find following information very helpful.
First, you need to figure out exactly how much flooring and accessories to buy. You can do this by using a room size calculator that will help you determine the amount you will need. Pergo is a complete flooring system and all the items you will need are available to you from the retailer that sold you the flooring. You will need the following:
1. Pergo Glue (the Pergo warranty dictates that this must be used)
2. Installation Kit (includes spacers and tapping block for tight joints)
3. Pull bar (ensures tight fit in difficult spaces)
4. Under layments (evens out irregularities in sub-flooring and provides sound insulation and heat)
5. Floor clamps (simplifies installation and makes finished floor stronger)
6. Pergo Sealent (secures gap between floor and wall; ensures moisture resistance)
7. Pergo Putty (mends damage that occurred during installation)
8. Installation straps (not required to install Pergo, but simplifies the process).
Pergo floors are for indoor use only and must be installed as a floating floor. The flooring must be installed with sufficient space for movement around the perimeter and must not be fixed to the subfloor. The degree of movement in relation to staircases, pipes, walls and fixed objects must be taken into considered with regard to changes due to humidity and temperature. The expansion difference in normal climates is 1/4”. This is important above all in corners, angles, and openings in doorways, archways, etc.
Pergo products should be acclimated in unopened cartons in the rooms where they will be installed for not less than 48 hours. Allow at least four days or 96 hours for very dry or very humid climates. For acclimation before, during and after installation, the humidity should be 30-90% at the job site. The temperature should be stable and within 15 degrees Fahrenheit of the normal operating temperature.
You can install Pergo above, on or below grade. Install the Pergo planks over Pergo Underlayment Foam or Whisperwalk. If installing over concrete, a Pergo 6-mil polyethylene vapor barrier is required. For more information check the sub-floor requirements.
