Best Flooring Products For Rental Property
Many Floor Coverings To Choose From
Landlords and homeowners alike have the same problem. They need to find a flooring product that can last a long time and require little maintenance. Flooring products for rental properties are of particular interest because the replacement cost for flooring can be very high and cost landlords a lot. There are several choices in floor covering materials to consider before making a choice. Those coverings include:
- Tile
- Hardwood
- Carpet
- Laminate
- Vinyl
Pros and Cons of Different Floor Coverings
Each type of floor cover comes with built-in advantages and disadvantages, particularly for rental properties. Listed below are the benefits and difficulties each type of flooring presents:
Tile – For colorful and dramatic effect, a tile floor can brighten up a room with resonant tones and styles. Tile is extremely durable and can last for decades when properly maintained. The amazing variety of tile styles, shapes, and installation techniques make tile one of the most popular floor coverings today.
Pros –
- Low cost to purchase
- Easy to Maintain
- Adds color and vibrancy
- Large choice of shapes and sizes
Cons –
- Installation cost can be high
- Damaged tiles can be expensive to replace
- Not good for high traffic areas
- Dangerous when wet
Hardwood – Nothing beats hardwood for a warm and inviting atmosphere. From bright blonde woods to dark, exotic timbers, There’s a certain feel and appeal to hardwood floors that no other surface can duplicate. Wood grains and knots in the wood enable the natural essence and sturdy appearance to convey a message of strength and security.
Pros –
- Makes a statement
- Easy to maintain
- Adds natural tones to decor
- Wide variety of choices
Cons –
- High cost to purchase in some cases
- Expensive to install
- Replacement cost is high
- High traffic areas may show wear
Carpet – New materials have helped carpeting retain their color and shape much better. Today’s carpeting comes with stain-resistant treatments as well as a phenomenal variety of styles and colors. A traditional floor covering for bedrooms and living rooms, carpeting keeps a floor warm in the winter and cool in the summer. From shag to Berber, sculpted carpets create amazing patterns and textures that enhance a room’s appearance.
Pros –
- Low cost to purchase and install
- Unlimited materials and patterns
- Stain-resistant
- Reduces sound
Cons –
- High traffic areas show wear and dirt
- Some stains cannot be removed
- Repairs can be difficult
- May need replacement more often
Laminate – The explosion of materials available combined with a wide range of colors and textures makes laminate flooring an ideal floor covering for homes and rental properties. Laminate flooring comes in every kind of faux and real wood imaginable. The color and wood grain styles range from bright and light Bamboo to dark and exotic Teak with plenty of choices in between.
Pros –
- Low cost to purchase and install
- Easy to maintain
- Waterproof, scratch, and stain-resistant
- Adds natural tones to decor
Cons –
- Improper installation can cause problems
- Layers can separate under extreme conditions
- Not good for exterior use
- Can be difficult to repair or replace
Vinyl – Once upon a time, vinyl flooring was the peak of floor covering technology. Today, vinyl has become a much more useful floor product because the formulas and manufacturing protocols have increased its appearance and durability. Once used exclusively for bathrooms and kitchens because of its water-resistance, vinyl can now be placed in any room in the house.
Pros –
- Low cost for purchase and installation
- Easy to maintain
- Wide variety of styles and textures
- Waterproof, scratch, and stain-resistant
Cons –
- Can be difficult to repair or replace
- Not good for exterior use
- Layers can separate under extreme conditions
- Can show wear in high traffic areas
Flooring Choice Matters To the Budget
One of the most important decisions to be made concerning floor coverings is the cost per square foot for purchase and installation. Each type of flooring has unique installation protocols that determine what the overall cost will be. For this comparison, the purchase of materials to cover the average floor space total of 500 square feet will be utilized. Each of the different types of floor coverings is listed below with average purchase and installation costs:
Tile – The average size, color, and installation costs for 12′ x 12′, tan tiles are;
- Purchase – Ceramic or Porcelain. The average cost of each is $3/square foot.
- Installation – Professional installation of ceramic or porcelain tile costs $5/square foot.
- Excess – An additional 5% in costs should be added for trimmings, grout, and other materials.
- Total installation cost – $1,500 purchase + $2,500 installation + $150 materials =
Hardwood – The average size, color, and installation costs for Oak or Ash wood floors are:
- Purchase – The average cost is $6/square foot.
- Installation – Professional installation of standard width planks costs $5/square foot.
- Excess – An additional 10% in costs should be added for trimmings, hardware, and other materials.
- Total installation cost – $3,000 purchase + $2,500 installation + $500 materials =
Carpet – The average type, color, and installation costs for low-pile carpet are:
- Purchase – The average cost is $5/square foot including padding and tack strips
- Installation – Professional installation of standard width planks costs $1/square foot.
- Excess – An additional 10% in costs should be added for trimmings, hardware, and other materials.
- Total installation cost – $2,500 purchase + $500 installation + $300 materials =
Laminate – The average style, color, and installation costs for 4-layer laminate are:
- Purchase – The average cost is $2.50/square foot
- Installation – Professional installation of standard width planks costs $4/square foot.
- Excess – An additional 5% in costs should be added for trimmings, hardware, and other materials.
- Total installation cost – $1,250 purchase + $2,000 installation + $175 materials =
Vinyl – The average style, color, and installation costs for regular duty vinyl are:
- Purchase – The average cost is $3/square foot
- Installation – Professional installation of standard width vinyl sheets costs $2.50/square foot.
- Excess – An additional 10% in costs should be added for trimmings and other materials.
- Total installation cost – $1,500 purchase + $1,250 installation + $275 materials =
Other Considerations for Floor Coverings
The decision on which type of floor covering works best for a rental property should not be driven by cost alone. Remember, the less-expensive the material, the shorter a life-span it will probably have. That means replacing the floor covering more often and that drives costs up. Consideration should be given to the type of rental property, occupants, environmental concerns, and placement location.
Property type – Floor coverings for a rental home are going to be different from floor coverings for a rented office space or retail space. Industrial locations will require heavy-duty materials with the ability to keep in shape under severe conditions.
Occupants – Depending upon who will be using the floor surfaces, the type of floor covering should reflect the type of usage and damage the floor surface may receive. Home renters with pets and children will do more damage to floor surfaces than a single person or couple without children or pets. Worksites with lots of greases, oils, and other contaminants must be given consideration when selecting a flooring surface.
Environmental concerns – Climates with excessive humidity, rain, heat, snow, or other environmental extremes will require different flooring materials than those in dry, moderate climates. Wet floors can be dangerous and could result in damages not only from water but also from slips and falls. Humid, damp climates tend to create mold and other unwanted conditions inside while hot, dry climates can dry out adhesives and cause warping.
Placement location – While most kitchens and bathrooms use tile, vinyl, or laminate, other areas of a home or office aren’t as easy to cover. Kitchens shouldn’t have carpeting due to stains, fire, and other concerns. Bathrooms should get the same consideration as kitchens. Living room areas and bedrooms have different traffic amounts and floor wear patterns than dining rooms or front areas of the house. Entry areas should be protected against the dirt and debris that can be tracked into a room through a doorway. In some cases, multiple types of floor coverings are required while in other situations, the same floor covering can be used throughout the space.
And the Best Flooring For Rental Property Is …
It’s difficult to determine which one type of flooring is best for a rental property when so many can work in such a wide variety of applications. For rental property owners who want the best look, layout, and longevity, the choice has to be laminate flooring. Laminate flooring is the best of all worlds when it comes to strength, appearance, installation costs, and lifetime. There are cheaper solutions with lower up-front costs, but in the long run, with all the various issues considered, the laminate floor becomes an easy choice. Ease of cleaning encourages renters to take care of the floor covering. Low cost to purchase, install, and repair or replace makes laminate attractive to landlords. Great looks give renters pride of ownership and it’s easier for landlords to rent the property.
Explore and Learn More
Information about floor covering choices is easy to find and understand. Online resources offer loads of information on costs, installation techniques, and local resources that can help get a floor covering laid down quickly and professionally. New products with advanced features and benefits show up all the time and with them comes new installation techniques and designs. Landlords who wish to upgrade a rental property can do so economically while providing a long-lasting floor covering that adds to the living space and living experience.
