Buffalo, NY · Member since 2016 · 20 posts · 3 votes
On Monday I just accomplished my first closing on my first rental property. I am looking for rug recommendations. Currently there is bur-bur in place, and when looking into purchasing a new rug an associate mentioned that another carpet -StainMaster- would be better. (see pictures below- the first picture is why we're replacing the current carpet, and the second picture is two bur bur choices and the other two samples of the recommended StainMaster-). As per the information tabs at Lowes the bur bur said they last for about 5 years and the StainMaster lasts about 25 years. Would you recommend another type of carpet? Which of the two would be the preferred as a rental property owner?
Scott Schultz thank you so much for your recommendation. After taking out the carpets and all we came up with the idea of trying follow through with the laminate that's in the kitchen. I thought it was going to take forever to fine but in the end it ended up being right behind me while at Home Depot looking at the flooring- traffic master lakeshore pecan!
NO!!!! Please tell me you havent put it in yet!!! Laminate is the WORST Product on the planet!!!! honestly, I would install carpet instead of laminate if that were my only 2 choices. the problem with laminate regardless of price is that it is made of essentially compacted fine wood fiber, like cardboard, and the edges are not sealed, because of this, generally on the butt end, any small amount of moisture will cause it to swell. I have seen this in countless houses over the years, including my own, we purchased a builder spec that came with laminate in the kitchen, it started to swell in the first year. My recommendation is Traffic Master Allure same brand different product, its a Vinyl Plank that is waterproof. Good Luck
I agree with Scott about the laminate and the vinyl plank. I've used the Shaw brand from Lowes in 3 units now. I renter has been there since October, has 3 dogs and there's not a scratch on it.
Congrats on your purchase! We had to redo the basement floor in our first rental...it had laminate tiles (I think) that were popping up; we thought we could replace the bad ones but they don't make them anymore. I looked at various carpets and wooden flooring options but just couldn't bear to add more money to the house. Then my sister (who is managing the repairs) suggested painting it. It looks great. Now...to find tenants!
Good luck on finding tenants. I close on a duplex in 5 days. The upstairs has old hardwood floors in which I'm considering painting. What type of paint did you choose? Color? And would u mind uploading pics?
Our duplex is in Seattle, which has an upper and lower unit with the lower unit having shorter ceilings. What's the best way to sound proof the floor if we decide to put tile in the upper unit instead of carpet?
We're debating tile over carpet because during the winter and spring months tenants constantly bring in wet shoes.
Late jumping in, but yeah, no carpet is probably best for rentals. And if one does do carpet, never berber! Like someone mentioned, it snags really easily, despite what the carpet salesman tells you.
I have the laminate planks (I think?) in my units. I'm finding over time, they don't last... The top layer is essentially cardboard. So when people spill drinks or even mop, the moisture starts pulling away the finish from the edges of each plank.
Perhaps what I should have bought was of a truly vinyl material?
You know what surprised me on lasting so far.... sticky tiles! I have those in the entrance way--so high traffic--of two of my buildings. They aren't budging. Not even a tiny bit of corner is pulling up and it's been over 3 years now. They can look nice too with the colors/patterns/material mimicking they have these days.
If you use laminate with a high density core and a wear rating of AC4/AC5 - essentially commercial grade - you should not have wear issues or problems with occasional moisture.
I've painted a few old wood floors. I use Sherwin Williams porch and floor paint. You will need to lightly sand, I did it by hand and make sure the floor is really clean. The paint needs to "cure" for about 30 days before any furniture is put on it. It will scratch if furniture it drug and not lifted. I always give my tenants the floor protectors that go under furniture legs.
I'm not sure if I'm going to keep painting the floors. I like the look of stain and poly better.
My son in law, a flooring professional, has suggested that I use carpet squares. I haven't tried it yet but was wondering if someone had and what was their experience with it.