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1. Is it better to use carpet or flooring for a rental unit?
2. What would be the best carpet or flooring to use?
I've been noticing out here in Southern California a lot of rentals are moving away from carpet and changing to flooring. I was always told carpet is cheaper and easier for landlords to deal with instead of cheap laminate flooring that has to be replaced constantly.
3. What changed?
For my unit that I live in, I have had 'luxury vinyl flooring' installed, which is a lot more resistant than laminate. I'm not sure what to do for my tenants unit, they currently have tile in the living room/kitchen and carpet in the bedrooms. My tenants will be moving out in 4 months so I want to start my research early. I kinda like the current trend of grey flooring with white walls.
Tile is typically the must durable. However, installation is expensive.
They do make tile now that looks like wood. If laid property, it is hard to tell at a glance that it is not hardwood.
Typically, with any type of flooring, you get what you pay for. If you buy cheap laminate, it will not hold up. Same as cheap carpet.
Long-run, it is more cost effective to lay tile or go with a quality laminate. Short term, carpet is always cheapest.
Interesting, I was never told about tiles before. Thanks.
When I use to rent, I had tiles by the fireplace and a couple of them were cracked from the previous tenants.
While I would never use tile in my own home outside of the kitchen, dining, or bath (well, unless I can one day afford a tropical beach house), it is good for rentals in warmer climates due to the durability.
Here are some of the 'wood' look tiles I mentioned. Grout lines are usually the only giveaway from a glance, which is why good installation is important. They can install with tight grout lines (and matching grout), so they are not visible with out paying attention.
While I would never use tile in my own home outside of the kitchen, dining, or bath (well, unless I can one day afford a tropical beach house), it is good for rentals in warmer climates due to the durability.
Here are some of the 'wood' look tiles I mentioned. Grout lines are usually the only giveaway from a glance, which is why good installation is important. They can install with tight grout lines (and matching grout), so they are not visible with out paying attention....
Wow, those look amazing! Thanks so much for sharing Jaynarie
If the tenants are living above your apartment, I would go with carpeting. Carpeting would need to be steam cleaned every 2 years at least, but provide sound deadening.
As for other flooring, Armstrong vct on tiles are pretty heavy duty. easy to strip and wax, seal and polish. very long lasting, and come in so many colors. you can even construct nice patterns , with boarders, or checker patterns. Used in many commercial, educational, institutional buildings. best bang for the buck!
Tenants can always place an area rug on top of flooring, to keep things quiet.
Vinyl plank is durable and if you get thicker (6mm plus) they offer sound deadining properties. You also 'float' the flooring usually which makes installs super easy!
These days I would never put carpet if I had a rental property especially the cheap carpet that is in 90% of rentals, even here in Florida. I would go with tile and make sure I have a dozen extra in case one gets cracked. But it all depends on whether you wish to put down something that will last for many years or would you rather replace carpet every few years. I've noticed a trend in the new apartments in my area (Florida) to not use carpet, except sometimes in the bedrooms. They are going with tile or wood like laminate.
Personally I would never rent another place with carpet. I don't like the idea of living with the previous tenant's dirt in the carpet pad.
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