Allure vs hardwood flooring

[Angela Vestal]

I am preparing to rent out an upper middle class home in the best school district in Charlotte, NC.  Homes range from 250,000-multi-million dollar range. My home would most likely appraise for around $350,000 and I plan to rent it for $2200 per month.  I have hardwood floors on the first level and have decided to replace the carpet upstairs with something more durable.  I’m trying to decide between Allure flooring and an inexpensive engineered hardwood at around the same price.   Any opinions on which is better for this type of rental? 

[Linda S.]

@Angela Vestal,

If I were in your shoes, I'd absolutely do the laminate over hardwood, less long term maintenance!   

It's hard when it's a personal residence,  but if it's going to be a rental, I always look at things and say "what's the hardest to destroy?"   How can kids or pets mess this up?  Someone moves a dresser, or bed, scrapes it, they won't care... sorry, mark my words, accidents happen at any income!   Someone might live there for only a year, and then with each turnover, there will be wear/tear on hardwood, whereas you won't have that stress with laminate!   I can't see anyone coming in, loving in, and saying "oh, but I think it's laminate up top, no thanks".. they will pick it based on location, amenities and price!      Unless you advertise it, I highly doubt any potential tenant will be able to tell the difference if the colors match! Good luck!