The right flooring is essential for any rental property. As an investment property owner, you’ll need to consider some important factors when selecting flooring – you can choose from many types of flooring that will appeal to future renters. Some factors to consider include:
- Durability
- Price
- Installation requirements
- Ease of maintenance
- Appearance
Keep reading to learn our suggestions for the best investment property flooring!
1. Laminate
Laminate is a synthetic alternative to genuine hardwood. Available in planks or squares, it is a good choice for bedrooms, dining rooms and living areas.
Laminate pros:
- Easily installed by clicking or gluing in place
- Tough finish resists scratches and stains
- More affordable than genuine hardwood
- Suitable for pet-friendly rentals
Laminate cons:
- Does not add the value of genuine hardwood flooring
- Cannot refinish
- Chips easily
- Does not last as long as hardwood
2. Tile
Whether it’s porcelain, ceramic or stone, tile is a hard flooring installed over cement. The spaces between the tiles are filled with a mixture known as grout. Tile is a good choice for humid areas such as bathrooms and kitchens.
Tile pros:
- Durable
- Easy to wipe clean
- Water-resistant
- Available in many styles and prices
Tile cons:
- Can crack
- Does not insulate
- Requires skilled installation
- Needs sealer or polish
- Grout requires periodic deep cleaning
3. Vinyl
Vinyl is synthetic flooring that is manufactured in sheets, tiles or planks. It is usually seen in bathrooms and kitchens and is installed by gluing or clicking in place.
Vinyl pros:
- Affordable
- Water-resistant
- Easy to clean with dry mop or vacuum
- Easily installed with little prep
- Flexible
Vinyl cons:
- Moisture underneath flooring can form mildew
- Subject to tearing or ripping
4. Hardwood
Suitable for high-end rentals, hardwood flooring is available in solid wood or engineered planks. It is installed by nailing the planks to sub-flooring and is ideal for bedrooms, dining rooms and living areas.
Hardwood pros:
- Durable
- Luxurious appearance
- Easy to sweep clean
- Can refinish solid wood
Hardwood cons:
- Higher initial cost
- Needs skilled installation
- Can be damaged by water or sun
- Cannot refinish engineered wood
- Easily dented or scratched
5. Linoleum
Usually seen in kitchens and bathrooms, linoleum flooring is available in tiles or sheets. It is often installed over plywood underlayment.
Linoleum pros
- Simply sweep, dust or vacuum clean
- Lasts up to 40 years
- Water-resistant
- Available in a variety of patterns
- Color runs deep, minimizing scuffs
- Springy and comfortable underfoot
Linoleum cons:
- Can expand or contract if water seeps underneath
- Needs sealer and regular refinishing
6. Cork
Made from oak bark, cork tiles are glued to the sub-flooring or to each other. Cork flooring is a good choice for kitchens.
Cork pros:
- Affordable
- Reduces noise
- Needs only occasional sweeping and mopping
- Renewable resource
- Biodegradable
- Easy to install
Cork cons:
- Can warp in humidity
- Easily dented
- Does not tolerate high traffic
- Needs sealer
7. Carpet
Carpet is one of the most common types of flooring you’ll see on the market. It can be cut to fit a floor space and stapled to a carpet pad and works best in bedrooms and second-floor rental units.
Carpet pros:
- Reduces noise
- Insulates and reduces energy bills
Carpet cons:
- Stains easily
- Holds odors and pet hairs
- Needs labor-intensive cleaning
At RH Blanchard, we’ll bring our general contracting expertise to help you determine the best types of flooring for your Boston-area project. When you’re ready to move forward, contact us for a free quote.
