Pergo sponsored this post. I received compensation for sharing my experience.
The Before
This might be an unpopular opinion, but Bernard and I are not big fans of carpet, especially in kids’ spaces. One accident can permanently ruin your carpet, and then you’re stuck with the stained reminder. We’ve wanted to replace the girls’ carpet for years, so we started with Kaiyah’s bedroom.
Our Pick
Choosing the right flooring for our busy, modern home took some research. We wanted a product that gave us the rich, natural warmth of hardwood but with the realistic durability to handle kids and daily life. Fortunately, Pergo offers flooring options that make it easier for homeowners like us to shop confidently and choose a solution that works for both our aesthetics and everyday needs.
If you’ve browsed the flooring aisles at Lowe’s lately, you’ve likely seen Pergo Hybrid Resilient flooring in both the EverCraft and EverCraft XL collections. This innovative flooring seamlessly combines the style of hardwood with the durability and performance today’s active homes demand. We ultimately decided on Emhurst Oak, and we have zero regrets!
Flooring Preparation
We were super excited to tackle this flooring upgrade in Kaiyah’s bedroom, but before we could get to the fun installation part, we needed to prepare the space. We started by cutting the old carpet into sections for easier removal. Next, we removed the carpet padding and the carpet tack strips.
Now, installing Pergo Hybrid Resilient flooring is straightforward, but taking time for proper preparation ensures flawless, long-lasting results. Store your unopened boxes flat in the room where they will be installed for 48 hours prior to starting. This allows the planks to adjust to the temperature and humidity of your home. Next, ensure your subfloor is clean, dry, flat, and structurally sound. Any bumps or low spots greater than 3/16 of an inch should be sanded or leveled out before laying planks.
The Power of Hybrid Resilient Construction
Our decision to go with Pergo Hybrid Resilient flooring lies in its advanced engineering. Unlike traditional vinyl planks, Pergo’s hybrid construction delivers a thicker, more substantial feel with enhanced stability and comfort underfoot. The EverCraft XL line, specifically, is also 9-1/2 inches wide for a modern, minimal look. However, if you’re looking for a narrower profile, then I highly recommend their EverCraft line, which is 7-1/2 inches wide.
Additional key performance features include:
Complete Moisture Defense: Waterproof surface protection helps guard against spills, splashes, and everyday moisture.
Leak Protection: Advanced watertight joints help prevent moisture from seeping between planks for added peace of mind.
Family-Proof Durability: Built-in scratch-resistant technology helps protect against everyday wear from kids, pets, and furniture.
DIY Installation Tips
Here are some other tips to keep in mind if you’re thinking about tackling this installation project yourself:
Set Proper Expansion Gaps: Use spacers along the walls and trim to leave a 3/8-inch expansion gap. This gives the floating floor room to naturally expand and contract with seasonal humidity shifts, without buckling.
Stagger Your Joints: For the most realistic wood-plank appearance and maximum structural stability, stagger the end joints of adjacent rows by at least 8 to 12 inches.
Use the Right Tools: Keep a rubber mallet, tapping block, pull bar, tape measure, and pencil handy for accurate measurements and tight joint engagement. A utility knife will not work on these planks because of their substantial thickness. We recommend using a plunge track saw or similar tool for the cleanest cuts.
Why Pergo Hybrid Resilient Flooring Outperforms Carpet
If you’re replacing your old carpet, switching to Pergo Hybrid Resilient flooring offers immediate practical and long-term benefits, especially in kids’ spaces.
Paint and markers on our carpet always made me nervous, and don’t even get me started on juice spills. With Pergo’s hybrid construction, liquids remain on the surface. So spills wipe clean instantly, ensuring sticky messes never soak into the floor or cause permanent stains. Carpets are known for trapping dust mites, pet dander, pollen, and allergens deep within their fibers. Pergo’s smooth, sealed surface, however, keeps allergens at bay, making it significantly easier to maintain clean indoor air quality. Heavy furniture tends to crush carpet, but with scratch-resistance technology, Pergo’s hybrid flooring can handle heavy impacts, allowing furniture to be moved or rearranged without leaving permanent indentations.
Final Thoughts
I can’t begin to express how happy we are with this flooring upgrade! It instantly elevated Kaiyah’s bedroom design!
The Pergo Hybrid Resilient EverCraft XL Emhurst Oak delivered the perfect balance: the upscale design of oak paired with unmatched waterproof and scratch-resistant engineering.
We hope to add this gorgeous flooring in our second daughter’s room in the future, and I know it’ll look just as beautiful.
If you want a floor that stands up to kids, pets, and spills without compromising on warmth and style, Pergo Hybrid Resilient EverCraft and EverCraft XL lines are exceptional choices for your next home project! Until next time, friends!
Aminah Chung