Carpet Flooring? Hell no! So what Flooring?

Question

Investors, I am in the process of acquiring a 4 Plex house hack and the units have carpet in every aspect of them except kitchen and bathrooms.

This has got to go because tenants SUCK with carpet.

What flooring are you placing in your rental units and why?

Keith Lewis · Answer

LVP is the best answer BUT know what you're buying and why. Many investors like the floating " Click lock" wood plank looks. If you have multiple floor levels make sure you buy one with an attached pad for sound proofing (rating of 63 or higher is best) OR if you get a good deal on one without buy a pad to put under it for all units with a living space under them. Wearlayer for residential doesn't need to be higher than 12 mil and a 6 mil will do ONLY IF you have a better scratchresistant finish on top like an Aluminum Oxide or a Ceramic Bead. Don't buy one with no finish or just a urethane or you'll be replacing it every other tenant. The other reason for CL is that you can avoid a new subfloor in many instances. Check with your installer.

That being said I prefer a glue down 3mm with a 6-12 mil wear layer and AO finish. Glue down rarely requires a sound deadening pad. Glue down is easier to repair single planks that are damaged But you usually need a subfloor (which helps with the sound proofing. Stay in the brown gray rustic look; easier to get a good paint to match for the walls and rarely out of style.

Breelon Bryant · Answer

@Kevin Zolea yea thats what I noticed as well. I plan on taking the “damaged unit” and ripping that carpet right up and since I have to stay in it for a year, take my time putting the flooring down myself. Guess Ill learn a new skill

Breelon Bryant · Answer

@Keith Lewis thank you. I am trying to learn all this so any info is good info. My GC mentioned something about “vinyl sheets” are good  tenant proofing flooring. Says it is also called “linoleum”. Have u heard of this?

What do you recommend for the bathroom?

Breelon Bryant · Answer

@Keith Lewis I have so many questions for you keith because I have seen alot about the glue down over the click lock as far as glue down is easier to repair if it gets damage over the click lock. Does the millimeters of thickness matter as much?

What about the underlaying? Is it needed for a glue down? or is this the "attached pad" you are referring to?

*background info* I have a 4 plex I am closing on and going to live in the worst unit and attempt to replace the flooring of that unit myself as a house hack

You sound experienced in the flooring because the vocab is way above my head lol

Mark H. Porter · Answer

This has been answered dozens of times on here if you do a search.

Kevin Zolea · Answer

@Breelon Bryant Yea that's exactly what I'm planning to do. Never did it before but it doesn't seem too hard!

Breelon Bryant · Answer

@Peter M. Yea thats what I am thinking. What kind of rates have you gotten for your plans as far as material and labor?

Peter M. · Answer

@Breelon Bryant LVP is the way to go if you can. But there may be reasons to keep carpet. I hate it as well but things like stairs or uneven sub floors may be reasons to keep it. But if you can, go with vinyl planks. Looks great, very durable, and usually easier to repair than title.

Carpet Flooring? Hell no! So what Flooring?

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