Flooring for Rental Properties: Balancing Cost, Durability & Style

If you’re a seasoned landlord or new to buying property, choosing flooring for a rental can feel like walking a tightrope. You want something that looks good and lasts long, but doesn’t cost you an arm and a leg. Since your tenants come and go, you may want to invest in a timeless aesthetic that can withstand heavy foot traffic and less overall maintenance. 

Whether you’re flipping your first rental or updating an older unit, finding the sweet spot between cost, durability, and style is critical for the perfect flooring solution. Here, we’ll break down the best options for flooring that can keep both you and your tenants happy.

The Golden Trio: Cost, Durability & Style

If you’re looking for flooring for your rental property, you may be juggling a combination of different factors. Before diving into specific flooring types, it can be worth understanding why balancing components like cost and longevity can be important:

• Cost: As a landlord, you know that every dollar counts. Flooring needs to make sense for your budget, which includes installation costs, long-term maintenance, and potential replacement costs.
  
• Durability: Rentals see a lot of wear and tear from new tenants, moving furniture, and pet accidents. Because of these factors, you probably want to ensure that your floors can withstand pressure and unforeseen circumstances.
  
• Style: A clean, modern look can help you attract good tenants faster and even justify a higher rent. But trendy and comfortable doesn’t have to mean expensive.
  

Now that you are familiar with these components, let’s look at the flooring options that can help you strike the right balance.

Vinyl Plank Flooring

Vinyl plank flooring (also known as luxury vinyl plank or LVP) is commonly used in rental properties. Here are some of the reasons why: 

• Cost-effective: It offers an excellent look for a reasonable price.
  
• Durable: It’s water-resistant, scratch-resistant, and easy to clean, which is perfect for pets and kids.
  
• Stylish: Available in wood-like finishes and modern colors that can instantly elevate a space.
  

LVP is especially great for high-traffic areas like living rooms, kitchens, and hallways. For a more cohesive look, you may want to use LVP for wall-to-wall installations. 

Laminate Flooring

Laminate used to have a bad reputation, but newer versions are significantly improved in terms of quality and appearance. Landlords who own rental properties may use laminate because:

• Affordable and easy to install
• Comes in a wide variety of finishes and styles
• Holds up well under heavy foot traffic
  

Laminate is a solid option for upstairs units or properties that are not exposed to a lot of water. If you live in a humid climate or need flooring for your kitchen or bathroom, laminate may not be the right solution. 

Tile

Ceramic or porcelain tile is ultra-durable and water-resistant, making it an ideal choice for kitchens, mudrooms, and bathrooms. Here’s why tile may be great for you:

• Long-lasting: Tile can easily last decades with proper care.
  
• Stylish: From clean and simple to bold and trendy, tile comes in plenty of styles, designs, and colors.
  

Unlike LVP and laminate, installing tile can be more expensive, and replacing cracked tiles can be a hassle. But if you’re managing a higher-end rental or vacation property, tile might be worth the investment.

Carpet

Everybody loves carpet! This flooring option is cozy, soft, and often cheaper than hard flooring, but it may come with some caveats. Here are some factors to consider about carpet: 

• Cost: Upfront cost is low, but it may need replacing more often.
  
• Maintenance: Stains, smells, and wear patterns are common issues with wall-to-wall carpeting.
  
• Style: Carpet comes in various styles and colors, making it an excellent option for adding vibrancy and warmth to a space.

If you go the carpet route, try choosing a durable, low-pile option that can handle traffic. For increased longevity, it can be crucial to install carpeting in non-common spaces like bedrooms.  

Hardwood

Real hardwood floors are beautiful and timeless, but they’re also expensive and may require high maintenance. Here are some things to think about when choosing carpet: 

• Cost: One of the most expensive flooring types, but wood may be crucial for higher-end rental properties.
  
• Durability: Hardwood can scratch and dent easily, but it can be refinished.
  
• Style: Wood’s effortless luxury can add value and appeal to any space. 

Hardwood works best in long-term rentals where tenants are more likely to treat the space like home.

Pro Tips for Landlords

If you own property and you’re still confused about what flooring is right for you, try following this short list of tips:

• Stick with neutrals: Tenants have different tastes. A neutral tone in wood or carpeting can appeal to more people and allows tenants to style the space their way.
  
• One floor, one look: Using the same flooring throughout most of the unit can create a seamless, modern feel.
  
• Consider waterproof options: Especially in bathrooms, kitchens, and basements, choosing flooring like tile or LVP can ensure longevity and minimal damage. 
• Think long-term: Spending a little more upfront can save you from the need for frequent repairs or replacements.

The Bottom Line

When choosing flooring for a rental property, there’s no single solution for every owner or every room. The best choice may depend on a combination of factors like your budget, tenant type, location, and how long you expect the flooring to last. However, with numerous stylish and durable options available today, it’s easier than ever to find something that looks good and holds up without breaking the bank. Use this helpful guide to assess your needs and locate the best flooring solution for your rental properties!