How to Install a Locking Pergo Floor

Pergo was one of the first companies to introduce laminate flooring to the United States. Pergo floors are durable and stain resistant, and they come in a variety of colors and styles. Pergo locking floors are a popular choice for DIYers because installation doesn't require any messy glue or adhesives. The Pergo boards simply lock together with a tongue-and-groove assembly. Pergo manufacturers a number of different types of floors, but there are a number of general steps that you will follow when installing a locking Pergo floor.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Pergo flooring
• Table saw
• Safety gloves and glasses
• Hammer
• Pry bar
• Block of wood
• Pergo spacers
• Moisture barrier
• Foam padding
• Quarter-round molding
• Pencil
• Measuring tape

1. Ensure that your subfloors are clean and level. Use a self-leveling compound to fill in any valleys, and sand down any ridges. Vacuum up any dust or debris, and on wood floors, make sure there are no nails sitting above the surface.

2. Allow the Pergo planks to sit in the room to be installed for at least 48 hours. This allows them to expand or contract to the temperature of the room, giving you a good installation.

3. Install a moisture barrier. This is necessary on concrete subfloors only, not on wood subfloors. This protects the laminate from moisture leaking through the concrete and condensing. Use 6-mm plastic for the barrier. Cut the pieces to fit your room installation. Overlap the pieces (if needed) by at least 8 inches, and tape them together with clear packing tape.

4. Lay out the foam padding on top of the moisture barrier. Do not overlap or tape these pieces together.

5. Take your first plank, and start in one corner of the room. Use Pergo spacers between the walls and the plank. This will ensure that you have enough room for your expansion joint.

6. Take your second plank, and saw it in half. Turn the cut end so that it faces the wall. Use a spacer at this end. Hold the plank at a 45-degree angle to the first plank, and slide the tongue on this plank into the groove on the first one. Press the plank down until you hear it snap into place. Place the block of wood against the free, long, end of the plank. Tap this with the hammer. This will give you a good, tight fit. By cutting the plank in half, you stagger the flooring so that the pattern looks more natural.

7. Return to the first row, and install another plank along the wall, locking it into place with the first one. Don't forget the spacers.

8. Go back to the second row, only this time install a full-length plank. Tap in place with the block of wood and hammer.

9. Repeat this process until you reach the other side of the room. Regarding the last planks against the wall, you will probably have to set them in place with a pry bar.

10. Repeat the process on the next two rows. Remember to stagger the planks, and tap everything into place with the hammer.

11. Measure and cut quarter-round molding around the perimeter of the floor. This holds the floor in place and also covers the expansion gap. Remove the spacers from between the planks and the wall, and nail the molding into place.

Tips & Warnings

• These steps are just a guideline. Always follow the Pergo instructions that came with your floor.
• You can buy foam padding that comes complete with a moisture barrier. In this case, follow the manufacturer's instructions for installation.
• If you live in an especially damp area, you might want to have a moisture test done on your subfloor. If the readings are too high, you will void any Pergo warranties when installing the floor.
• Wear proper safety equipment when using power tools.

Resources

• Pergo Flooring HOWTO