Durable/Efficient Remodel of Rental

[David Gellner]

Hey guys,

I've spent a good part of the day looking for designs, researching products, and honestly I feel like I've achieved very little.

Yes, I've tried to search BP and couldn't find what I'm looking for.

I know that I want to do the vinyl wood plank flooring, but I need ideas for what materials to put in remodeling the kitchen and bathrooms -- I'm starting to narrow down a design, but I'm lost as far as kitchen cabinets, countertops, sinks ( most problem/leak free)

Anyone have any suggestions for materials, websites, links, blog posts for how to efficiently remodel a rental that will be owned for the next 20 years?

Thanks
Dave

[Johann Jells]

Dave, in most of my units the cabinets were unusable or non-existent. I've found there's a line of chinese generic cabinets available at non-chain homecenters that are all ply and solid wood, no particleboard, and the same price as the cheap "fall apart" crap from the chains. There's less choice, but I'm OK with that. People kinda expect "basic oak". The same goes for when I install laminate floors (Costco), I always use Oak, rather than more exotic finishes, people see it and think "oak floors", whereas they'd think "cherry floors?"

Below is a kitchen with those cabs and a granite tile counter I built. If you do your own work the tile is much cheaper than slab, much more durable than laminate, and very repairable. I do this color scheme of oak, black and midtone tile "running bond" backsplash in all my units.

If you can salvage the cabs with paint, try the new Moore "Advantage" paints, they are waterborne oils, and give a great finish.

Here's a before and after painting, splash & counter. If I could have found new hinges that fit I would have replaced them, I couldn't, so said screw it and used the same ugly pulls too. If she ever moves out I'll replace them.

As for baths, I despise the "cultured marble" tops. I've been using the "eurostyle" bowfront vanities with porcelain tops, just wish I could get them in plywood rather than particle carcasses.

Lastly the toilets: American Standard Cadet 3, ~$130 at HD. One of the rare cases where the cheapest is also the best. I use them in my own home, one flush, always.