Laminate or Carpet in a rental?

Question

Hey guys, just looking to see what everyone thinks about laminate flooring versus carpet.

Which would you go with?

900 sq ft house, 3 bed/1 bath, brick split entry.

Thanks!

David Chwaszczewski · Answer

@Jassem A. We have slab homes here with old asbestos tiles we don't want to pull up.  We use embossing leveler then we apply.  If you have a plywood subfloor you will have to use luan and feather the seams to get a good bond.  If you are going over OSB then i would recommend a floating floor system that locks like Allure flooring.  Any questions PM me.

Wes Brand · Answer

I'd never do carpet in a rental. You'll need to replace it way too frequently.

Adam Bartomeo · Answer

Never, never, never use carpet in a rental. Hard surfaces only. Carpet is easily stained, damaged, it absorbs odors, and it is dirty. Hard surfaces are much easier to maintain and will last a lot longer.

Lelith Walker · Answer

I prefer laminate flooring in NY because it lasts longer and less maintenance.  Plus I had to replace the carpet after 7 years while the laminate I had for 9 years and it is still going strong.  However, in GA the contractor said the vinyl is better due to the weather down there wrecks havoc on laminate and carpet.  My cousin who lives in GA told me that most of the new houses down there were using the vinyl too.  In FL we have tile and you will notice that in a lot of homes down there.

Alice K. · Answer

This was my exact question of the month!

I have several bedrooms with ridiculous stains-- Likely kool-aid from the last dweller. One landlord in the area said his tenants destroyed laminate and recommended carpet. Another also said carpet... (Like what @Ken Raymond mentioned it seems.)

I wanted laminate until I looked at the quotes. Luckily, my region is one of those areas that is behind on fashion and the locals say although that hardwood-look is classy, carpet works. I'm running out of dough regardless for the replacements so have to stick with carpet.

Michael Wentzel · Answer

It costs me about $2 a sq ft to put in commercial carpet or $3 a sq ft for laminate. So I have been going with the laminate in most cases. It looks a lot nicer and should hold up better for only slightly more money.

Mike

Jassem A. · Answer

@David Chwaszczewski

How do you typically prepare your subfloor for the stick down vinyl? I think the instructions called for luan but I was thinking oil based paint over osb, plywood, or concrete might work and cost less.

Nicole A. · Answer

If I use carpet, it's a more "commercial" looking carpet...not the nice fluffy stuff. This is okay in my properties because they are a C-class neighborhood, not high-end.

I have lots of vinyl plank flooring. Looks great, but does get damaged. I've seen lots of little spots where somehow the surface was damaged. One girl even let some sort of cleaning chemicals spill on the floor, where it sat long enough to bleach the finish.

Finally, I've also used the "peel and stick" tile flooring. So far, they have surprisingly lasted quite well!

David Chwaszczewski · Answer

@Lindsay Conway I uses vinyl peel and stick flooring that looks like hard wood.  Buy extra and stick in the attic for future use.  It will cost more, but cheaper and easier to maintain.  If a tenant spills something on the floor they wipe up and if its damaged just peel up the bad and replace.  Cant do that with carpet and every time you have a vacancy you will have to get cleaned.  That adds up fast if you do that on 1 year leases.

Mike Wood · Answer

@Lindsay Conway I would recommend Vinyl Plank flooring.  Carpet will have to be replaced way to often. In a small house like yours, the cost difference is likely pretty small between Vinyl Plank and carpet.  The issue with laminate is the damage water can do and scratches.  Vinyl Plank is not affected by water, and since the color is generally all the way thru, scratches are less noticeable (they are still visible, just not so noticeable.

I only have one unit with carpet, and I just replaced the the floor in the common areas (not bedrooms) with Vinyl Plank during my recent vacancy.  I will likely replace the carpet in the bedrooms with Vinyl Plank in the bedrooms with Vinyl Plank during the next vacancy.  I have never got more than 4 yrs our of carpet in the rental.  That's $1k ever four years or less for me.

Laminate or Carpet in a rental?

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