flooring product in rentals

[Kyle Wenger]

What product are you using for flooring in your rental apartment units? Obviously not looking for top of line, but quality at an affordable price where I don't have to update every time a tenant moves out.

[Neil Goradia]

@Kyle Wenger, we like to refinish hardwood floors whenever possible because the are so easy to clean between tenants. If carpet must be used we use a rental grade in a dark brown color, which helps to hide stains...and just to a carpet clean between tenants. In kitchen/bath areas, we've used both Tile and vinyl, but both have their pros/cons. I like the durability of tile until one of them cracks due to a tenant dropping something on it. If this happens 5 years after you install the tile, you may not be able to find the same style of tile or grout. On the other hand, vinyl is very quick and easy to install and replace between tenants but it obviously doesn't last as long and can peel up. A good compromise is to use the thicker grade vinyl that doesn't need to be glued down. This makes installation easier, and also replacement easier when it does need to be swapped out. Try to reduce seams in big rooms because that is where it will start to peel. Laminate is good for living areas or bedrooms, but again can be hard to locate the exact type of laminate in the future if you need to replace it. Many big box hardware stores will change the brands they carry literally every single year making it impossible to find what you had installed the year before. If you find a good deal you can buy some extra and just hold onto it just in case.