Pergo Outlast Plus | Laminate Flooring

Some 40 years ago, Pergo actually invented laminate flooring! The brand, now part of Mohawk Industries, remains an industry leader, so it makes sense to have a closer look at their current laminate flooring collections.

In this Home Flooring Pros review we are going to focus on the Pergo Outlast Plus (+) laminate range, sold exclusively at Home Depot, and let you know if it’s any good!

WHAT IS PERGO OUTLAST PLUS

Outlast Plus is one of Pergo’s six laminate collections..

SPECS/ OPTIONS/STYLES

As with all laminate flooring, Pergo Outlast Plus is composed of several layers: a transparent wear-resistant top layer, a design layer that recreates the visuals of wood, a HDF core board and base layer for stability, and a final underlayment layer.

Plank sizes are all 10mm thick, with widths of either 5.23”, 6.14” or 7.48” and lengths of 47.24” or 54.33”.

The Outlast+ collection offers a hardwood aesthetic. At the time of writing there were 56 designs in the Outlast+ collection, featuring mostly domestic wood such as oak, hickory and maple, but also a few exotic species such as fruitwood and jatoba.

In terms of styles, Outlast+ offers a broad choice of colors with both classic and contemporary looks, and includes a good selection of more distinctive wood looks, for example gray tones, whitewashed, cross sawn or varied grain patterns.

WATER RESISTANT

One element that sets the Outlast Plus collection apart is Pergo’s integrated SpillProtect waterproof technology that protects your flooring against spills, splashes and even pet accidents.

In addition to this waterproof layer, the Uniclic installation system and beveled edges make for tight joints, which further ensures that the core and base layers are protected from accidental spills and moisture.

However, it is important to understand that the SpillProtect technology is only designed to protect the laminate briefly – if spills aren’t dealt with quickly and liquid sits on the floor too long, the floor will discolor.

PROS & CONS OF PERGO OUTLAST

Advantages of Pergo Outlast Plus laminate flooring are:

• large range of styles and colors to suit all tastes
• can be installed by competent DIYers
• can be installed over most subfloors
• can be installed with radiant heating
• can be installed in all rooms of the house, including the basement and the bathroom
• relatively budget-friendly, retails at under $3 per square foot
• easy to clean and maintain
• the top layer – Pergo’s SpillProtect technology – gives relative waterproof protection
• the bottom layer is an integrated underlayment layer, so no need for extra underlayment

Disadvantages of Pergo Outlast Plus laminate flooring are:

• even good quality laminate doesn’t offer the authenticity of solid hardwood
• cannot be refinished, if it gets very damaged you’ll have to replace the entire floor
• laminate flooring is never as durable or shock proof as solid wood
• not the best option if you have pets, as it not scratch proof

INSTALLATION

Pergo Outlast laminate flooring is installed as a floating floor using the leading industry locking system, Uniclic.

The Uniclic system is designed to be installed by proficient DIYers and professionals, but is not necessarily as straightforward as Pergo would like to suggest. If you are not really into DIY, we recommend that you hire an experienced professional.

Pergo provide very detailed installation guides and videos on their website, but here are the essential things you will need to know:

WHERE CAN PERGO OUTLAST BE INSTALLED?

You can install Pergo Outlast Plus on, above or below grade. This means you can install it anywhere in your home, even in the basement. And because of its waterproof surface you can also install Pergo Outlast Plus in the bathroom.

Note that you cannot install Pergo Outlast in bathrooms with a floor drain (such as a wet room) or with a sump pump (such as you might require in a basement bathroom).

It is important to respect a 48-hour acclimation time. This means you need to lay your Outlast+ planks in the room you plan to install them – still in their cartons, unopened – for at least 2 days before you start your installation project.

This will allow your laminate planks to get used to the humidity levels in your home, and avoid the most common result of poor installation: a buckling floor.

WHAT ABOUT THE SUBFLOOR?

Another important consideration is ensuring you have a well-prepared and suitable subfloor. Pergo Outlast+ laminate flooring can be installed over plywood or concrete subfloors. Other types of subfloor such as old vinyl tiles and linoleum are also acceptable.

Subfloors should be clean, dry and flat, of course! Pergo recommends moisture tests and vapor barriers for certain subfloors; so be sure to check those values carefully first before buying your planks.

We strongly recommend you read the installation instructions thoroughly before purchasing Pergo Outlast, to ensure your home complies with all installation requirements.

DO I NEED UNDERLAYMENT?

Because foam underlayment is already attached to Outlast+ planks, you do not need to add any further underlayment or soundproofing.

WHY DO I NEED AN EXPANSION GAP?

You also need to respect a 3/8” expansion space around the edges of your flooring when installed. This means that there will be a small gap between the edges of the flooring and the walls. This allows for the floor to expand and contract according to humidity.

Be aware that the expansion gap rule is true for the entire perimeter of your floor, so the Outlast+ plank edges should never touch walls, radiator pipes, adjacent flooring, stairs or kitchen units.

But do not be concerned about the unsightliness of a gap – the expansion gap can be covered using beading, skirting boards, transition strips or radiator collars. There is a good range of matching Pergo molding, stair nosing and so forth for all Outlast Plus designs.

WHAT ABOUT CLIMATE CONTROL AND RADIANT HEATING?

Pergo Outlast can be installed in homes that do not have climate control, as long as it is not installed in areas prone to damp and humidity, and is properly vented.

Outlast can be used in conjunction with most types of in-floor or under floor radiant heating.

CLEANING AND MAINTENANCE

Pergo give extensive information on their website regarding cleaning.

GENERAL CLEANING TIPS

For cleaning general debris, you must use a vacuum optimized for hard surfaces, or a dust mop, or a broom; you can follow this with a damp mop to minimize dust.

To deal with general dirt, and as part of a weekly cleaning routine, you can use a damp mop with the following Pergo recommend homemade cleaning formula: 1 gallon of water with 1 cup vinegar or 1⁄3 cup of non-sudsing ammonia.

Be aware that even with the Outlast Plus waterproof layer, it is still not a good idea to use a very wet mop or to leave puddles of standing water on your floor. A well wrung mop is ideal.

WHAT ABOUT TRICKY STAINS AND SPILLS?

You can use formula above to clean most comment tricky substances such as chocolate, grease, juice and wine stains.

Denatured alcohol or nail polish remover are the best options for nail polish, tar, markers, crayon, lipstick, ink and cigarette burns; whilst using a blunt plastic scraper is best for lifting off candle wax and chewing gum from your Pergo laminate.

WHAT SHOULD I NEVER DO?!

Never use the following cleaning options on Pergo Outlast Plus: detergents, abrasive cleaners, soaps, waxes or polishes, steam or jet mops.

And remember that laminate flooring cannot be refinished or sanded.

DAMAGE PROTECTION

Pergo Outlast Plus is scratch resistant but not scratch proof! We do not recommend this flooring if you have pets.

As with all laminates, using practical solutions such as area rugs and doormats will help prevent dirt and debris from the outside tracking through your home and scratching your floor.

Also consider adding felt protectors on the base of your furniture (especially chairs) and replacing metal casters with rubber wheels; and be careful when moving heavy furniture not to slide them, but lift them instead.

Whilst laminate flooring is a solid type of flooring, no laminate is as durable as actual solid wood, so you can more easily damage, dent or chip laminate if heavy objects are dropped on it.

PRICES AND OPTIONS

Pergo Outlast+ is available exclusively for sale at The Home Depot, retailing between $2.65 and $2.89 per square foot. Samples can be ordered direct from Pergo at $5 per sample.

Whilst laminate flooring is generally a budget-friendly flooring options, Pergo Outlast+ is at the higher end of the price range for laminate.

PRICES AND COMPARISONS

As discussed above, Pergo Outlast + costs around $2.70 per square foot and is available for sale from Home Depot. This places Pergo Outlast+ prices in the mid price bracket of laminate flooring brands.

See the price comparison table below to see how Pergo Outlast+ prices compare with other leading brands.

CONSUMER REVIEWS

Pergo Outlast Plus laminate flooring has generally positive consumer reviews; negative reviews usually are due to poor professional installation, or that the DIY installation was trickier than customers were expecting.

Also, many pet-owning customers were very disappointed that the flooring scratches relatively easily.

Here is a representative selection of recent customer reviews:

“Very good. Previously, we had installed a cheaper laminate floor and a vinyl plank floor. The Pergo Outlast+ is far better in terms of quality and looks, is stable when the planks are interlocked, and it is easy to install.” – Robert L.

“Floor texture and color are very authentic. It’s quiet to walk on and feels solid. Very happy with this product!” – Amybeth

“When locked together, there is no bothersome gaps for dirt and dust to collect in, just a slight notch, which can be cleaned easily with a vacuum. The appearance is just like real hardwood… I am not disappointed.” – CV

“I found the installation was not as easy as the videos show. It was really tricky for me to get boards to click to stay together. The job took a lot longer than I expected.” – Ozzi

“If you are considering putting in a floating floor you need to do good preparation first to get it installed correctly… my subfloors were quite flat but they are not flat enough – I have had to do a lot of extra work to get the subfloor flat.” – DJ

“This product is called “Outlast” but if you have a dog, I promise you, it’s not going to last very long! We do not even have a dog, but three kids, and after one year the floors are very badly scratched. We are now saving up to replace them with hardwood. For the price, I would’ve expected the flooring to last longer.” – Lori

HOME FLOORING PROS VERDICT

Pergo Outlast Plus is definitely one of Home Depot’s premium laminate floors and you should feel confident that you are buying a good quality, durable product. Furthermore, Pergo is a reliable household flooring brand with a reputation for quality laminate flooring.

At between $2 and $3 per square foot Pergo Outlast Plus is competitively priced towards the top of the mid-range price bracket. With it’s tough wear layer, water resistant technology and added underlayment we give this laminate floor a big thumbs up!

About the Author: Greca Fotopoulos

Greca is the lead style writer at Home Flooring Pros (more), with a BA in Technical Art, she’s focused on flooring trends, flooring ideas, and flooring brand reviews.

“There’s nothing more satisfying than creating a home that you love. The hardest thing about this job is trying not to covet all the great floors I get to review; if I could remodel my home every month, I would!”