Do You Install Pergo Longways or Sideways?

The Basics of Pergo

• Pergo is a snap-together laminate material that installs length-wise. That is, the grooves in the boards run the length of the board, with a “male” and “female” end on each piece. When these two sections are snapped together, the pieces are locked in place. Once a row is installed, another row follows and is snapped into place against the first row, and then so on through each subsequent row.

Typical Installations

• The traditional laminate installation follows the longest wall of a room. Failing that, the second most common way is to follow the most visible area in a room, which may be a doorway or a feature wall, such as where the television is located in a living room. By going with the longest and most visible wall, you ensure that the layout “flows” with the room. And in cases where the longest wall is chosen, it helps keep cuts to a minimum as you use longer sections of the boards, which also helps cut down on installation time.

Smaller Spaces and Visual Appeal

• Smaller spaces benefit from running the laminate material running perpendicular to the longest wall of the room. By running the boards lengthwise in the opposite direction, you create a visual illusion of more space than there actually is. In addition, opt to install the laminate material running perpendicular to walls that have windows so that when the sunlight comes into the room through the window and falls on the floor, the floor joints run with the light as opposed to crossing it.

Hallways

• Entry hallways are another area where you benefit from running the material sideways as opposed to length. For example, when you first enter a home and are faced with a hallway leading to the kitchen or living room, if you run the material lengthwise with the length of the hallway it creates a narrow feel to the hallway. Running the material sideways from side to side of the hallway creates the illusion of more space. It also allows you to center the installation and eliminate visible cuts, because they are buried under the wall baseboard trim.