Pergo laminate v B&Q?

ceewash

Is it worth the extra money? Looking for laminate flooring for our lounge and am willing to pay for good quality but I'm not sure what that looks like. Pergo is deemed to be one of the best at about £35 sq metre. B&Q starts at about £10 but not sure how quality compares. B&Q do different thicknesses etc. Any advice please?

spadoosh

Laminate flooring has 'AC' ratings.

AC relates to abrasion class and goes someway in offering comparable in quality between various laminate floorings.

AC rating is 1-5 with 1 being the lowest quality. AC 4 and 5 are commercial quality products. AC 1-3 are considered residential products.

The price points at B&Q tend to relate to the quality of each banding so to speak. So lowest quality is £10 per sq m and usually in the AC3 bracket. When you get to £18+ psqm theyll start breaking in to the AC4 and above categories. Although with sales/offer/brands you will need to double check the AC rating instead of a quick glance at the prices.

Thickness doesnt really relate to stength or quality. EG the laminate in my hallways is really thick and 'good quality' but ive installed it in a bad location so its degrading faster (water). Youre not going to go wrong going above the AC4 category so whether you can find suitable ones at B&Q will be down to preference.

parcival

I know nothing about B and Q laminate. We had Pergo laminate fitted in our Kitchen and Hall about 18 months ago. Looks as good as the day it was fitted - wonderful product.

motherofstudents

We had pergo fitted 12 years ago. It’s still unmarked despite kids, dogs and clumsy husband.

sol2017

I've no experience with any laminates but I've just bought Quickstep Aquanto from B&Q while it's on offer. My understanding is that it's their Impressive range with fewer plank variations. Worked out £12 psqm which is a massive saving compared to usual price (18 and upwards). Not fitted yet so can't comment on actual fitting and performance.

On a side note - they're running low on stock so need to move fast if anyone's considering buying. Best to find a store with stock and go and pick up yourself. And don't forget cashback.

dunroving

There are quite a few online sources to learn about different types of flooring and different qualities of the same type. I cam across an interesting site by FiFi McGee yesterday, with one article explaining why she went for laminate rather than wood in her home remodel.

I realise you have decided on laminate, but the article discusses laminate quality, and tells you what she went for, which might be helpful to answer your question.

Not sure if I'm allowed to post a link, but let me try.

https://fifimcgee.co.uk/blog/wood-flooring-laminate-vs-real-wood-which-is-better

sol2017

Ha, stairs and landing in my house looked just like in that blog post. Felt like a huge milestone when the last of that carpet went

Silvertabby

We had Pergo in the hall. Still in perfect condition after 10 years - but when we decided to to fit engineered oak in the lounge and dining room we changed the (adjoining) hall flooring as well.

There is really no comparison - the Pergo looked 'plastic' against the real oak. Another advantage of the real thing is that in the event of a disaster, the engineered wood (we went for one with a 6mm layer of oak) can be sanded down and re-oiled. Can't do that with Pergo etc.

ceewash

Just been to look at Pergo in store. Was on offer at £21 sq m. Plus £12.50 sq m fitting and underlay. The salesman was also showing me Amtico flooring which was like wood effect vinyl. They had it in shop floor. Bees knees apparently. £30sq m plus £35 sq m fitting. Floor has to be levelled. Anyone any opinions on this stuff ?

dunroving

ceewash wrote: »

Just been to look at Pergo in store. Was on offer at £21 sq m. Plus £12.50 sq m fitting and underlay. The salesman was also showing me Amtico flooring which was like wood effect vinyl. They had it in shop floor. Bees knees apparently. £30sq m plus £35 sq m fitting. Floor has to be levelled. Anyone any opinions on this stuff ?

I haven't see Amtico, but it gets some good reviews/comments on other threads here on the topic.

As you are learning, the cost of buying the vinyl must be added to the cost of installing, which should include the cost of sub-floor prep. If you put vinyl on an uneven floor, you'll get uneven vinyl. I'm surprised the fitting cost is so different between Pergo and Amtico - did you ask him why? (Maybe one is click planks and the other is glue-down? Other terminology that's part of the learning curve!)