What Flooring Are You Using in 2015 For Rentals?

What Flooring Are You Using in 2015 For Rentals?

Real Estate Investor · Pensacola, FL · Member since 2012 · 136 posts · 83 votes

Over the years my preference in flooring has changed a lot. I started out with carpet, then moved to refinished hardwoods in older homes, then I started exclusively using Allure Vinyl Planks (glue ones). Now I'm not so sure. 

I've done many Allure installs with generally pretty good luck. Unfortunately, I have one house where the seams kept lifting and I was playing "whack a mole" with the crazy glue. After this experience, and due to the fact that I bought 5 pallets at $.99/sft way back when and nowadays it doesn't seem to budge from $2.09 or $1.79 (depending on style), I'm wondering if there's something better out there. I don't want a tenant moving in and immediately complaining about flooring... especially a flooring that's become so expensive. 

I used to prefer vinyl planks, because I could put all the boxes in the house, pull up tack strips, prep subfloor... then wait a day or so and lay all the flooring in about 2 days after it had time to adjust to the house's temp. It was quick and easy. 

Now I'm seeing products like this: http://www.homedepot.com/p/TrafficMASTER-Lakeshore...

At $.79 I can use a 10% off Lowe's coupon and be paying close to 70 cents for a laminate that gets great reviews. A great review like that is likely to be very well-reviewed by potential tenants as well. This is over a full dollar a square foot cheaper than Allure (more after you account for tax ) and I can make the process pretty quick by using a laminate cutter.

I could try porcelain tiles, but I just don't think houses are as appealing with tile throughout. Maybe this is personal bias. I'm thinking the way forward is a laminate like the one above and nice premium vinyl tiles for kitchens and wet areas. 

What are you guys using? What's your preference in 2015? Have you changed your thoughts over the years? 

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Investor · San Antonio, TX · Member since 2014 · 129 posts · 79 votes
11y

We've used a mix of laminate, tile, and adhesive vinyl squares in our rentals and rehabs over the last few years.

Concrete, tile, and hardwood are all relatively permanent products.  They can be repaired and redone, but they should last 25+ years.  At the other end, you have carpet, vinyl, and laminate.  They all have varying lifespans dependent on usage and the quality of installation.  We settled into laminates that were between a $1-2/sq ft because they should last longer than carpet, are repairable, and resist stink and staining better than carpet.  However, if we need it done fast, cheap and durable carpet can be bought and installed in a  day.  If time is on your side, I would probably go with laminate.  If the subfloor is crap or if you need to be done in a day or two, carpet.  

We used porcelain tiles in kitchens, bathrooms and entry ways.  It is a pain.  It is dirty, and it takes at least three days to finish.   It should last a long time with little hassle if the installation was good, but it if it wasn't, you could just be inviting more problems down the line.  The stick on tiles are fairly durable and look okay if installed well.  If they start to pull up in the corners though, remove them because they will look ghetto as all get out.  

So to answer your question, I would say give the laminate a try.  It is my go to material for our mid market rentals/ starter homes.  I have not really had a problem.  If hardwoods already exist, by all means, have them refinished.  Don't be afraid to mix and match too.  laminate in the common areas, carpet in the bedrooms, and tile in the bathrooms and possibly kitchen.  

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  • Engineer · Portland, OR · Member since 2014 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    11y
    12mm pad attached laminate at $1.29/ft., normally not found at big box stores. vinyl for wet areas
  • Real Estate Investor · Pensacola, FL · Member since 2012 · 136 posts · 83 votes
    11y

    Looks great. I wish I could get one of those big sales again. Don't you hate when people walk on your glue strip? :) 

  • Real Estate Investor · Pensacola, FL · Member since 2012 · 136 posts · 83 votes
    11y

    @Steve B.

     That sounds like a good deal. I've been looking at the 12mm stuff lately. I guess the negative side is it can't really be cut with a laminate cutter and you have to use a table saw ... seems like it would be slower, but probably better quality/longer lasting. 

  • Rental Property Investor · Douglas County, MO · Member since 2014 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    11y

    @DL Martin

    Can you post a link to that saw? I'm having trouble finding it.

  • Real Estate Investor · Rossville, GA · Member since 2014 · 218 posts · 96 votes
    11y

    I use the laminate from lowes in the .65 to .75 range for my living rooms and hallways.  I use carpet in the bedrooms.  If one bedroom rug is ruined I buy 1 piece and replace the 1 bad piece.  I can usually throw down a new piece of carpet in half an hour since there are no seams.  Just my preference.  Ceramic or loose lay vinyl in kitchen and baths.  

  • Rental Property Investor · Cincinnati, OH · Member since 2013 · 292 posts · 280 votes
    11y
    Originally posted by @Sylvia B.:

    @DL Martin

    Can you post a link to that saw? I'm having trouble finding it.

     Here ya go, Silvia.

    http://www.lowes.com/pd_320303-46922-3600-01_0__?p...

    This is the replacement blade for it.

    Skil 4-3/8-in Standard Tooth Carbide Tooth Circular Saw Blade$9.58 each. Each blade does a 750 sq ft apartment easily. 

    or the lumber liquidators version...

    http://www.lumberliquidators.com/ll/c/Power-Saw-Flooring-Norge-LLFS50/10026265

  • Rental Property Investor · Cincinnati, OH · Member since 2013 · 292 posts · 280 votes
    11y
    Originally posted by @Ben Stout:

    @DL Martin I have to get one of those!! Wow, all the way to LA for flooring... I know a guy who did a lot of flips in California and he'd get his cabinets the same way. 

    I get my cabinets (Ready To Assemble, all plywood boxes) and my prefab granite countertops (9') from the same supplier. Materials costs in Cincinnati are sky high. I would HATE to be a house flipper in Southern Ohio. 

    DL

  • Realtor · Gallatin, TN · Member since 2009 · 292 posts · 164 votes
    11y

    12mm laminate through & through.  I've only been doing this for a few years, but I have yet to replace any.  Ideally ~ 3/4" Oak hardwoods if I can be found and installed at a reasonable $$$ ... But 95% of the time, its 12mm laminate.

    As for engineered hardwood ~ don't get me started on that garbage.  We bought a house built in 2012, and the engineered hardwood is already cracking, and showing a good amount of "wear".  We'll likely pull it and redo in the next couple of years.

  • Investor · Springfield, MO · Member since 2015 · 27 posts · 8 votes
    11y

    We're going to concrete where possible.

    Just tired of tenants brining in unauthorized pets, etc.

    Many renters are instantly sold on it for its clean appearance. 

  • Real Estate Investor · Pensacola, FL · Member since 2012 · 136 posts · 83 votes
    11y

    @Michael Hicks

     Is it tough to learn to put in carpet? I've always wanted to be able to lay it myself to save time and energy. 

  • Engineer · Portland, OR · Member since 2014 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    11y

    Based on my experience I belive you are much better off buying 12mm laminate with the  pad attached than 7mm no pad to save 60 cents a foot.  If you don't mind installing yourself and your rentals are of the cheapest type then this may not be true.

  • Rental Property Investor · Douglas County, MO · Member since 2014 · 1k+ posts · 1k+ votes
    11y

    Thank you, @DL Martin!

  • Investor · Marina Del Rey, CA · Member since 2015 · 297 posts · 87 votes
    11y

    @DL Martin How difficult is it to learn to lay these floors myself? Would you recommend to someone who has never done it before to try on a rental? 

  • Investor · Woodstown, NJ · Member since 2014 · 123 posts · 43 votes
    11y

    @Carrie Giordano you can definitely install this flooring yourself. In my experience the key for longevity is a good clean subfloor and taking your time to align seems as good as possible 

    Measure twice and cut once because this stuff isn't the cheapest either. 

    Good luck, you can do it!

  • Rental Property Investor · Cincinnati, OH · Member since 2013 · 292 posts · 280 votes
    11y
    Originally posted by @Carrie Giordano:

    @DL Martin @Jon Lafferty How difficult is it to learn to lay these floors myself? Would you recommend to someone who has never done it before to try on a rental? 

    Carrie, it depends a lot on how "handy" you are. Have you ever used any type of saw before? If you have, I would say that that is 75% of the battle. 

    Also, keep in mind that its a rental. So if you aren't perfect around a doorjamb, it's not the end of the world. 

    Youtube videos are your friend. : )

    DL

  • Investor · Marina Del Rey, CA · Member since 2015 · 297 posts · 87 votes
    11y

    @DL Martin I would say I am fairly handy and I have used a saw but would need to get a saw for the job. Youtube has taught me much of my home improvement skills! I guess it's the ackward areas around doorjambs and other tight corners that I would be most concerned about.

  • Racine, WI · Member since 2015 · 9 posts · 7 votes
    11y

    As a professional floor installer the allure/ vinyl planks can be better with pets and in possible wet areas like kitchens and bathrooms. i prefer the click lock because they tend to use cheap glue on the strips. Laminate is a excellent floor as well but is a little sensitive to water like a fog accidents in the same area and walking in with snow covered shoes. This can cause bulking and discoloration. Also sheet vinyl is always cheap and installation is as well cheaper. 

  • North Richland Hills, TX · Member since 2013 · 14 posts · 1 vote
    11y

    Got several SFH rentals that all have carpet coming up for renewal and after doing research on BP for a while decided to go with vinyl planks. Wonder whether I made the right choice there since as discussed in this thread, you can find laminate that is a bit more cheaper than a solid vinyl plank product. Most of the floor installers I talked to mentioned that unless a gallon of water gets dropped on the floor and doesn't get cleaned up, laminate will hold up to renters just fine. For 540 sqft the best quote (for vinyl) I got was for $2200 (including carpet pull out transitions, quarter round etc.) which is right in line with that $4/sqft prices I've seen listed on the BP forums. While vinyl planks have been the go to product for most rentals over the last 3 years, given current pricing I think laminate might be a better alternative.

  • North Richland Hills, TX · Member since 2013 · 14 posts · 1 vote
    11y

    This is the product I ended up picking - brand called American Plank, glue on. About a buck-fifty per sqft. 

  • San Diego, CA · Member since 2014 · 20 posts · 2 votes
    11y
    Originally posted by @Nicolas Franckenfeld:

    We're going to concrete where possible.

    Just tired of tenants brining in unauthorized pets, etc.

    Many renters are instantly sold on it for its clean appearance. 

    Nicolas, can you please tell more about your experience with concrete? How long have you used it? How cost-effective? How durable and requires any maintenance on landlord part? How safe- I read a review that concrete floor is very hard and if your tenant falls on it, he may seriously hurt himself- is this true? I am seriously considering switching to concrete flooring inside, but got scared by the fact that my tenants and their children might slip and get hurt. Thank you

  • Investor · Las Vegas and Tulsa · Member since 2014 · 123 posts · 200 votes
    11y
    I have mostly low end apartments, so durability is a higher priority than good looks. I like the Allure vinyl planks, even though they are a little pricey. I also like tile, for its durability, but only on the first floor and when the subfloor is even enough. So, in a first floor apartment, I will usually tile all the way through, including the bedrooms. In a second floor apartment, I will use Allure in kitchens and bathrooms and carpet living and bedrooms. In some first floor units, I have used Allure all the way through when the subfloor was too uneven to tile over. I've been hesitant to laminate as it is sensitive to moisture. I saw the laminate floor wear out quickly in my office and have not used it in any of my rentals (yet). I think is is very important to have a good understanding of the available flooring options and pick the solution that best fits your particular project. A flip in Beverly Hills has a very different flooring need than an apartment in Memphis. Whether it is Allure, laminate or tile, hard flooring surfaces are very popular with people suffering from allergies, and they last longer than carpet. Erik
  • Rental Property Investor · NY · Member since 2013 · 844 posts · 350 votes
    11y

    @DL Martin

     would you be able to give me the contact info for your supplier?

    Thanks

  • Gene HackerPro Member
    Flipper/Rehabber · Lake Isabella, CA · Member since 2011 · 974 posts · 488 votes
    11y

    I never put carpet in rentals. 

    I tile bathrooms and kitchens with cheap 16in tiles...and I tile any room with a concrete subfloor.

    I generally install laminate in any room that has a wood subfloor, other than kitchens and bathrooms.  

    I have a few rentals which have had cheap laminate for more than 10 years now, including some really messy tenants.  It tends to hold up really good.  

    The exceptions are when I find really good deals on something else.  A couple weeks ago the local Habitat for Humanity Restore was selling composition vinyl tile for $0.20 per foot.  This is the stuff you see in schools and post offices, so I picked up a couple thousand square feet.  This will be going in all my rentals in the future...until I run out of it.

  • Investor · Tualatin, OR · Member since 2015 · 4 posts · 3 votes
    11y

    No more carpets in my rentals!!!

  • Raleigh, NC · Member since 2015 · 36 posts · 6 votes
    11y

    I adore vinyl locking laminate. it's easy to lay, waterproof, durable, and easy to fix. The new stuff's been looking fantastic lately.

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