Flooring is one of the most important considerations for your rental property. After all, your flooring can change your rental space’s look, feel, and functionality. It can also help attract and keep quality tenants, increase the value of your property, and create a welcoming environment for tenants. So, what type of rental property flooring should you choose? First, let’s go over a few of the most common flooring options.
Types of Flooring Can You Choose From
As you can imagine, many types of rental property flooring are available on the market today. Each option has its pros and cons to consider before making a decision for your rental. For example, landlords need to consider price points, durability, and maintenance while also thinking about style, comfort, and value. So, if you are unsure of what rental property flooring options are out there, here are the pros and cons of some common flooring types:
- Tile
- Carpeting
- Hardwood
- Luxury Vinyl Tile
- Laminate
Tile
Tile is one of the most popular flooring options for landlords and other homeowners. This low-maintenance material comes in various shapes, colors, patterns, and designs. In addition, modern production techniques have evolved to create styles that imitate stone, wood, and other natural materials.
Similarly, tile comes in tons of different sizes and customizable styles so landlords can create a custom look for their rental. Next, let’s reveal some of the pros and cons of tile flooring.
Pros
- Easy to clean and maintain
- Hard to stain and doesn’t retain odors
- Very durable and long-lasting
- Good for allergy-sensitive tenants
Cons
- Costly and more challenging to install
- Better for warmer climates since it can retain cold temperatures
- Very heavy, so it may not be great for higher-level units
- Poor installation may cause it to crack and deteriorate
Carpeting
Another popular flooring option that most landlords are familiar with is carpeting. Carpeting is an excellent option for rental property flooring because it’s soft, reasonably easy to install, and comes in many colors and styles. Although other flooring options have dominated the market, carpet is still great for bedrooms, hallways, and more. Here are some of the pros and cons:
Pros
- One of the least expensive flooring options
- Creates a warm, cozy environment
- Great for bedrooms and insulates against noise
- Desirable in colder climates
Cons
- Requires regular maintenance
- It holds stains and odors easily
- Needs routine replacement every several years
- Traps allergens, which is bad for some renters
Hardwood
Hardwood is a modern, aesthetically pleasing rental property flooring option that is desirable for many renters. There are tons of styles, finishes, and custom options to choose from. Similarly, hardwood flooring is bound to increase the overall value of your rental property.
Although stains and scratches can pose issues, many landlords opt to cover high-traffic home areas with area rugs or small carpets. With that, here are a few of the pros and cons of this rental property flooring option:
Pros
- Adds value to your rental property
- Neutral flooring option that pairs well with any decor
- Easy to maintain and clean
- It comes in many different styles and finishes
Cons
- Quite pricey compared to other flooring options
- Susceptible to scratches and scuffs
- Does not stand up well to water or humidity
- Can stain easily if maintenance falls short
Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT)
Luxury Vinyl Tile is more durable than regular vinyl and mimics the look of hardwood or ceramic flooring. This popular option is great for landlords who want cost-effective yet durable rental property flooring. Similarly, luxury vinyl tile is more water-resistant than most flooring types. With that, let’s go over some more pros and a few cons of LVT.
Pros
- Easy and relatively cheap to install
- It works for any floor level since it’s lightweight
- More affordable than other flooring options, yet looks similar
- Many different color and style options
Cons
- Scratches cannot be resanded or refinished
- The synthetic texture doesn’t perfectly mimic the look of hardwood
- It must be replaced every so often to keep up with current trends
- Adhesive from vinyl planks may be difficult to remove
Laminate
Lamanite flooring is a rental property flooring option that appeals to many landlords. Being one of the cheapest flooring choices, laminate is made from synthetic material made with four different layers formed together to look like hardwood. This durable rental property flooring option is perfect for high-traffic home areas or properties that allow pets. Now, let’s go over some of the pros and cons.
Pros
- Resistant to scratches and scuffs
- Easy to clean and maintain
- Affordable and easy installation
- Replacing damaged sections is quick and relatively simple
Cons
- It does not hold up well in high-humidity or areas with a lot of moisture
- Damages quicker than other flooring options
- Scratches or other damages cannot be refurbished and must be replaced
What Are the Best Options for Rental Property Flooring?
As you can see from our list above, there are tons of options to choose from for rental property flooring. However, most landlords have certain standards, budgets, and maintenance rules to follow for their rental properties.
Three of the most common aspects landlords look for in flooring include affordability, durability, and level of maintenance. So, if you’re wondering which rental property flooring will fall into all three of these criteria, just keep reading!
Affordable Flooring
First, cost-effective rental property flooring is a massive consideration for landlords. While most don’t want to settle for the cheapest flooring, finding one that is affordable is still a significant factor. Some of the most low-cost floorings include:
- Luxury Vinyl Tile – Around $2 – $7 per Square Foot
- Carpeting – Around $1 – $15 per Square Foot
- Laminate – Around $1 – $6 per Square Foot
Durable Flooring
Another important aspect of rental property flooring is durability. Since most rentals see a lot of tenants come in and out, landlords must install durable flooring that will last. That said, some of the most durable flooring options are:
- Tile – Lasts 20 – 30+ Years With Proper Installation
- Luxury Vinyl Tile – Lasts 5 – 20 Years With Proper Care and Installation
- Hardwood – Lasts 20 – 30+ Years Before Needing Refurnishing
Low-Maintenance Flooring
Finally, finding relatively easy flooring to maintain is another primary consideration for landlords. After all, you have to rely on tenants to take care of your flooring as you would, so making it easy on everyone is best. Here are some low-maintenance flooring choices:
- Laminate Flooring
- Tile Flooring
- Luxury Vinyl Tile Flooring
- Hardwood Flooring
Need Help Maintaining Your Rental Property?
When you invest your hard-earned money into your rental property, you want it to last. However, worrying about proper maintenance, finding tenants who will care for it, and making sure you get the most out of your rental can be challenging for landlords—especially those that own more than one property. That said, how can landlords ensure they get the most value from their rental investment?
Hiring a property management company can help landlords in several ways. For example, the Bay Property Management Group professionals can help you with all aspects of your business, from tenant screening to maintenance requests, rent collection, and eviction services. So, whether you own one rental property or 100, we’ve got your management services covered.
If you want to learn more about our property management services, contact us today! We proudly offer rental property management in Philadelphia, Baltimore, Washington DC, and Northern Virginia.
