Swedish Pergo Laminate: Scandinavian quality

Being in search of a suitable flooring, the buyer will certainly face the concept of laminate or laminated flooring. Despite the external similarity, this floor has nothing to do with the classic parquet from the array. This is an absolutely independent material that quickly gained popularity due to a combination of price, quality and visual appeal. In this article we will look at coatings produced by Pergo.

Laminate is a panel obtained by pressing MDF and several layers of melamine impregnated paper, which gives this flooring strength and durability.

The first laminate flooring - Perstorp Golv GL80, released in 1979, the Swedish company Perstorp Corporation as an experiment. Over the past thirty-plus years, an experienced product has evolved intoA separate industry for the production of laminate, one of the most famous manufacturing companies is currently Pergo. The purpose of this brand is to create beautiful, high-quality and practical floors for everyday life. Continuous improvement and introduction of new technologies allows the company to remain the leader among manufacturers of laminated coatings.

During its existence, Pergo has patented several hundred technologies and innovations, including:

• Lock PerfectFold 3.0 maximally accelerated the installation of panels, as well as simplifying the reinstallation or replacement of damaged strips.
• TitanX and TitanX Advanced heavy-duty coatings that provide resistance to impact and scratches, even in rooms with high loads.
• EndlessPlank technology creates the effect of endless slats. The drawings of each detail coincide as much as possible, making the interface almost invisible.
• The technology NaturalVariation allowed to achieve exact imitation of optical and tactile properties of various decorative coatings (wood, stone, leather).

Since 2013, Pergo has become part of Mohawk Industries, Inc. - the largest flooring company. Today, trademark products are manufactured by Unilin in North America, Europe, Asia and Australia.In 2016, it was decided to open the production of the most popular decors in Russia. This made it possible to achieve several advantages: to keep the quality at a level, to reduce the cost of production for the Russian consumer and to ensure a constant warehouse stock. The Pergo collections of Russian production include products with a facet 32 ​​and 33 of wear resistance class.

Pergo laminate consists of five layers:

1. Top layer TitanX - prevents wear and mechanical damage to the panels. Thanks to the protective layer, the floor retains its immaculate appearance even after years of intensive use;
2. Decorative layer;
3. Shockproof layer;
4. Fiberboard high density;
5. Stabilizing layer.

Pergo floors stand out among products from other manufacturers primarily for their environmental friendliness. They received a PEFC certificate and were the first to receive the Nordic Swan Ecolabel labeling, which means minimal environmental impact of the product.

Among the other advantages are:

• Antistatic properties - persist during the entire period of service;
• Wear resistance, impact resistance and scratch protection thanks to the titanium layer.The minimum warranty for residential premises is 25 years;
• Fire safety - provided by the same patented TitanX coating. Pergo laminate has a fire certificate KM2. True, this applies only to products manufactured in Sweden. The coating made in Russia has a lower flammability class. You can distinguish a Swedish laminate from a Russian one according to the article: the designation of the first one starts with L0, and the second one - with L1.

• High water resistance, hygiene and ease of care. PerfectFold locking system provides hermetic adhesion of the panels, preventing the penetration of moisture and dirt. In addition, the surface of the slats is treated with water and dirt repellent compositions.
• Convenience flooring. The locking system allows you to choose a convenient method of mounting panels, which can be handled by an ordinary man in the street.
• The manufacturer offers laminated panels of three quality levels for each design: 32, 33 and 34th.
• Large assortment of realistic decors and textures. However, if the soul asks for something unusual and original (for example, the floor under a newspaper), then it is better to turn your attention to other manufacturers. Pergo are supporters of restrained classic design.Although, they still slightly moved away from the classics, adding to the wood collections cover imitating leather or natural stone.

Despite its exceptional properties, the classic laminate of fiberboard does not tolerate direct contact with water. The problem was solved by the appearance in the company's assortment of a 100% waterproof collection of vinyl floors.

In the structure of vinyl coatings, the following layers are distinguished:

1. Protective layer of a new type - TitanV;
2. PVC decorative layer;
3. Impact resistant vinyl layer;
4. Fiberglass stabilizing layer;
5. Vinyl backing.

Water-repellent properties allow you to safely use the new coating in rooms with high humidity: in the kitchen, in the bathroom, in the hallway. Another advantage is resistance to heat and sunlight. Pergo Vinyl floors are available in two types: adhesive and locking, and two strength classes: 32 and 33.

In pursuit of the beauty and realism of their products, Pergo developed nine surface textures and several gloss levels. Such a variety makes it possible to choose a coating in various variations: from simple imitation of wood to the surface in vintage style.

The brand catalog presents the following types of surfaces:

• Tree. High-quality imitation of any wood, from light to dark.
• Smooth - smooth silky surface.
• Genuine wood - imitates lightly polished woody densely, on which each fiber is felt.

• Genuine rustic - reproduces the vintage country floor with the effect of cracks and chips.
• Genuine sawcut - surface with the effect of longitudinal cutting.
• Genuine stone - a repetition of the pattern and texture of stone slabs.

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• Antique wood - another surface with the effect of antique wood.
• Leather is a warm and comfortable surface for stylish interiors.
• Facette (facet) - ribbed texture will give unusual room.

The use of chamfers allows to enhance the expressiveness of wooden decors, as well as imitations of ceramic tiles.

The Pergo laminate lineup is constantly being updated, adding new decors. The company catalog includes the following collections:

• Domestic Elegance - budget series of 32 class floors with a guarantee of up to 20 years. This group has nine variants of imitation of natural wood (oak, ash, pine). Due to the lack of chamfers, the finished coating feels like a monolithic wooden surface.

• Living expression - one more economic ruler of 32 classes of durability. It is a lightweight version of the main collection and will last up to 25 years in conditions of low-traffic residential areas. This series presents models without chamfers and with two- and four-sided bevels. The length of the panels is from classic 1.2 m to 2 m. The latter create the feeling of an infinite floor, the theme is the most visually drawing room. The texture in this series is still woody, of all shades of brown, beige and gray.

• Original excellence - the classical Pergo series with a level of wear resistance of 33 classes. This floor is suitable for more severe loads in office or other public spaces. The warranty on this series give a lifetime. Along with wood motifs, this collection was supplemented with decors imitating stone. The rough surface of the tiles adds realism to the coating.

• Public extreme - it is a series with the highest 34th class of wear resistance. Thanks to the enhanced TitanX Advanced protective coating, the laminate can withstand increased intensity, which allows it to be used in shops, cafes and offices.

• Sensation - this is a novelty, absolutely unlike the standard laminated coating.The use of Natural Variation technology made it possible to reproduce the relief and pattern of natural wood as accurately as possible. Plus, in the new collection, the manufacturer has enhanced the water-repellent properties of not only the surface of the bar, but also the chamfers. This allows you to use the coating in the kitchen, in the hallway and even in the bathroom.

The Pergo vinyl collection is not as extensive. It is represented by two series, divided by wear resistance class: Premium (32) and Optimum (33). A variation of the titanium layer, designed specifically for vinyl floors, protects against stains, scratches, mechanical damage, exposure to water, heat and direct sunlight. These qualities allow the coating to remain "forever young" regardless of operating conditions. Realistic textures of wood and stone are recreated by embossing technology. Each lamel has its own unique design. There are no flashy tones in the vinyl collection. Calm shades of brown and gray reflect Scandinavian restraint.

When choosing a laminate in the first place is to determine the class of durability. For example, a coating of 32 classes of a European manufacturer (such as Pergo) will be sufficient for use at home.Laminate class 33 for a private interior will be necessary if more significant loads are planned or a clawed animal lives in the house.

But for commercial premises with medium traffic - this will be the best option. The coating of class 34 has extreme wear resistance, which is not needed in the home interior. But in business centers, shops, schools, exhibition halls such a floor will be in place.

If the floor is purchased for public premises, then it is necessary to make sure that the fire certificate is not lower than KM2. If we talk about Pergo products, then until July 2017, all types of products (except those produced in Russia) had such a certificate. To date, KM2 have only vinyl floors.

A review of Pergo flooring customer reviews shows that the majority of users are pleased with the purchase. Laminate meets all declared characteristics. Maintains floods practically without consequences, is easy to maintain, mechanical damage is minimal. Many users self-assembled coating armed with detailed instructions.The only drawback noted by the majority of those who wrote is the high price, which nevertheless corresponds to high quality.

Negative reviews are presented in much smaller quantities. It is possible that buyers are not lucky to run into a marriage or a fake. Some users suggest that the decline in quality is associated with the opening of production in Russia.

How to lay laminate, see the following video.