As a landlord, you want the flooring in your rental property to be durable, long lasting, cost effective, and neutral. Replacing flooring can be a huge expense, so we want to make sure you have all the information you need before you make your choice. Here are our top four flooring material recommendations for rental properties.
Our #1 choice for rental property flooring is carpet flooring (we promise this is not because carpet is in our name). While carpeting cannot and should not be installed throughout an entire rental property, carpet is perfect for spaces like the living room, bedrooms, stairs, and second floor hallways. Carpet flooring has countless benefits specific to rental properties, including:
There are a few drawbacks of carpeting, the biggest being pet hair, stains and odor. Carpet easily retains odor and after a few pet stains the carpet and padding will likely need to be replaced. The other disadvantage of carpet flooring is it is difficult to clean and should be deep cleaned every year.
LVT is a close second choice for rental property flooring. LVT is a very popular flooring choice and continues to grow in popularity because it is durable, water resistant, easy to install and easy to clean. Due to its water resistance, it’s the perfect flooring choice for kitchens, bathrooms and laundry rooms. Even better, LVT can last up to 20 years saving you lots of money as other repairs are made.
The downfalls of luxury vinyl tile floors are they are a hard surface so they can be quite loud. In addition, LVT can get expensive depending on the style you choose. Thankfully LVT lasts quite long, but the upfront cost is higher than other flooring options.
Another popular option is vinyl flooring. Vinyl is moisture resistant, making it a good choice for kitchens, bathrooms and laundry rooms. It is installed with a layer of padding underneath, making it softer to walk on and a bit sound absorbing. Vinyl flooring is also easy to clean and very affordable, so it’s commonly seen installed throughout the entire main level of rental properties (with the exceptions of bedrooms). It comes in a wide range of colors and patterns, from faux tile to imitation wood.
Vinyl can be gouged by sharp objects or ripped if furniture is dragged across it. Nicks, rips and cuts can’t really be repaired in sheet vinyl, while vinyl tile fares better. Because it is inexpensive, vinyl doesn’t do much to boost a property’s resale value.
Durable and long-lasting, tile flooring is an excellent option for kitchens and bathrooms. It’s waterproof and fairly easy to clean depending on the material. Ceramic tile in particular is impervious to scratches and holds up well in high traffic areas. Tile comes in many sizes and colors, giving landlords plenty of design options.
Tile floors are very hard, so they are not as comfortable to walk on and have no sound-absorbing properties. Also, many people dislike the cold feeling underfoot, especially in the winter. Tile is also one of the more costly flooring options and if something heavy drops onto them, repair is difficult.
We recommend contacting a professional for recommendations specific to your property. If you are in the Denver Metro Area, we have two showrooms where we’d be happy to show you your options in person. We offer wholesale flooring so you can be sure you are getting the best deal.
