Time to replace 12-year old laminate. What to choose?

[Brian Sipes]

It's time to replace 12-year old laminate in a rental property that's turning over. Area to be replaced is approx. 375 sq ft. I would normally throw in some new cheap laminate and call it a day, but I'm thinking about alternative paths this time. Cost is always a concern, but aesthetics and durability are equally important here. The incoming tenants are a couple with 2 young children in a B neighborhood in northern Virginia.

If you were in my shoes would you choose:

1. $0.49/sq ft laminate. 7 mm thick. It's cheap, but it looks like $0.49 laminate and feels very flimsy.

2. $0.69/sq ft laminate. Also 7 mm thick, doesn't look quite as cheap.  Still flimsy. 

3. $1.68/sq ft laminate. 12 mm thick, AC 4 rated. Supposedly scratch-proof. Feels solid. 

4. $1.56/sq ft vinyl, waterproof. 

What say you, BP community? 

[Stephen Hundley]

vinyl plank. Keyword being waterproof. Looks nice and durable. Holds up well in my rentals