Hardwood vs Pergo

[GrannyJ]

I know there has already been talk about hardwood floors vs carpet. But what about hardwood floors vs Pergo?

I'm getting rid of my carpet. I want hardwood floors but everyone has been telling me not to get hardwood with kids and pets (I have 3 small dogs).
They say Pergo looks just like wood but is tough and perfect for kids.

What I would like to know is can I have hardwood floors with a daycare?
Does Pergo really look like hardwood flooring?
Is Pergo really as tough as advertised?

I really don't know anything about this. Money wise a good Pergo cost as much as hardwood. But I need something that is strong. I don't want something that is going to scratch, or fade or warp.

I would appreciate any help anyone can give me.

[Michael]

We have another thread conversation on Pergo: https://www.daycare.com/forum/showthread.php?t=34382

[MyAngels]

I have read that the top coat of laminate flooring is what makes it more durable than hardwood flooring. I know my son's home has hardwood and it has a lot of dings and scratches and it is only he, my DIL and baby granddaughter living there, so I don't think I will be installing real wood but the highest quality of laminate instead.

[daycarediva]

I have very high quality laminate in my home. we put it OVER hardwoods (instead of pulling the carpet and refinishing the hardwoods, we went with laminate).

I have been doing daycare in this home with the same flooring for 4 years. NEVER an issue. I love love love it, and we remodeled our basement and put the same exact floor down there, too.

The only down side it, it can't get wet or it warps (even the best quality). So just make sure you have something good for entryway or shoes. This spring we will be replacing the flooring in the entry with ceramic tile, simply because I am always drying the entry floor, just in case!

[EntropyControlSpecialist]

I have high quality engineered wood that was actually bartered with a daycare parent for.
I LOVE it. No scratches, no dings, easy peasy!

We had hardwood in the apartment we lived in before buying this house and it was a hot mess to deal with. Only 1 teenager, 1 husband, 1 wife, and a small dog.

[melilley]

I have pre-fabricated hardwood floors in my house. They are only a little over a year old and my floors have so may scratches in them! We only have it in our kitchen/dining room and bedrooms. We have a lab and I'm sure he's the one who put most of the scratches in it! I'm not sure how many are from children, but there are a lot!
They do have some pretty great laminate flooring that looks just like hardwood! If I had to do it over again, I would definitely get some type of Pergo/laminate flooring!