Laminate Flooring Throughout entire APT?

Question

Hello, I recently bought a 6 unit apt building and have decided to start updating units as they turnover. All of the floor coverings in units are pretty much worn out. I'm debating on eliminating carpet completely and installing something more durable to last long term. Would laminate flooring be a good option for rental units and would installing throughout entire apt including kitchen, living room, and bedrooms be a good idea? Just seems like it would be uncomfortable having anything but carpet in areas like a bedroom but maybe that's just me.

Chris G. · Answer

That's good to hear. It's the sheet vinyl. My tenant just threw an area rug for comfort andit looks nice.

Robert Cummings · Answer

I have 4 units, duplexes, and I have moved 2 units to laminate flooring. Best choice, I think, is to have carpeting on the bedroom floors only and laminate everywhere else but the kitchen. If there is tile in the kitchen keep it there or that plastic stuff (forgot the name). Laminate flooring is very easy to repair. Remove the baseboard and pull up pieces till you reach the effected areas then snap a new piece in place. Took me 15 minutes to replace a gouged plank (2) that was 3.5 feet from the wall. Carpeting can be purchased cheap if it is remnants (BTW; ONLY buy remnants and don't let a salesperson tell you about a warranty. There is no warranty on carpeting in rental properties, just single family homes. )You can do it yourself but you will need a miter saw, mallet and some knee pads. You cn use a furring strip to keep the laminate the proper distance from the wall. You may also have to replace the baseboards as most apt baseboards are thin and carpeting has hidden things. But doing it yourself will reduce the cost of installation significantly.

Wes Eaves · Answer

I agree with @David S. about putting tile throughout. I did laminate in bedrooms in one of my rentals only to have to rip them up because of pet urine in one room and another time there was a leak from the adjoining bathroom. Tile is cheap and durable and can be easily replaced if broken or chipped.

David S. · Answer

When I renovate an apartment, I put ceramic tile throughout the entire apartment. This is the most durable and will last the longest. On rare occasions, I get questioned whether I would put carpet in the bedrooms. When this does come up, I recommend to the tenant to go buy some area rugs and put them down in their bedrooms.Carpet is definitely the worst way to go. One bad tenant and your entire flooring is finished. Stains, pets, bubble gum, irons, pest infestation, or anything you can think of will ruin it.When I still had decent carpet in some units I acquired, many people would ask, "Are you going to pull the carpet up?" I cannot make money if I am replacing flooring on yearly basis in each unit.I would recommend you go with 16 or 17 inch tile. It looks much better than the 12 inch tile and makes each room look larger. Lowes usually sells that for $0.79/square foot. Make sure you keep an extra box of whatever tile you get for future repairs.If you do put laminate flooring in some areas, such as the living room, then I would recommend the 8mm wood laminate that sell at Sam's Club. It already has the vapor barrier and sound insulation and sells for about $1.80 a foot. It is very thick and durable, being nearly commercial grade.In renting houses, it may actually be more preferable to tile the kitchen and bathrooms, and put a good wood laminate for the remaining rooms, including the bedrooms. If you accept pets, I can tell you that the pet lovers are very attracted to an apartment without carpet.

Marcin Talaga · Answer

Bradley, I think you are better offer going with tile in any areas that may be exposed to lots of water or humidity. Bathrooms and kitchens in my opinion should always be tiled. Even a good interlocking floor if not installed properly could get water underneath it and cause an issue. As for bedrooms, living room and dining room I'd say laminate flooring is ideal. It doesn't have to be refinished, it looks pricier than carpet and is more durable, and shouldn't stain. Plus it's affordable.

Account Closed · Answer

I just installed Allure Traffic Master (easiest floor to install ever) from Home Depot. It claims to be a water resistant floor and there is a 25 year warranty on the one I bought. It runs about $2.00/sq/ft but it really is simple to install. It took me about 3 hours to install my kitchen floor in one of my rental units.I highly recommend it because I just ripped out the old laminate floor. I would keep the cheapest carpet that looks okay in the bedrooms though.

Chris Dengel · Answer

Excellent question! I was thinking the same thing. I wonder about protecting the sub floor from water in certain areas like bathroom and kitchen. That's why I believe most people (myself ) usually stick with linoleum or tile. I feel like if the plastic underpayment pad is put on properly, it would be adequate protection. I also can't help but to think that carpet in bedrooms is kind of a style people have gotten used to with modern homes. I remember having wooden floors in all the rooms of our Victorian house growing up. My last unit has zero carpet, as will my next. I don't see any harm in using a laminate floor in all rooms. I think it would look good. Besides the tennants can always put down a rug or remnant for comfort. Congrats on the 6 unit.

Ray Peslar · Answer

I think hardwood laminate would look good and not be any different than actual hardwood floors throughout which is very desirable right now. The least amount of carpet the better in the long run. (High dollar repairs) I would keep extra laminate on hand for repairs in the future. Lots of luck to ya!

Account Closed · Answer

I just wanted to mention that noise can be an issue with hardwood floors for tenants below another apartment with hardwood floors. This is one reason the owner I worked for only put carpet in the units (26 unit building - 2 stories), and linoleum in kitchen and bath. He used inexpensive carpet so that it was cheap to replace.That said, whenever I showed apartments, tenants would ask if it would be possible to take up the carpets and have hardwood floors. When told no, they'd ask if it was new. Many tenants are grossed out by carpet and knowing someone else's dirt is in it.Regarding the noise issue, I've heard that some leases require tenants to put down carpets over the hardwood floors, to minimize noise problems.

Account Closed · Answer

16x16 tile from Home Depot is best alternative to carpet.