Best flooring option, concrete foundation

[Samantha Moscheck]

Hi, I am new to this site and very pleased to have found it in my search for flooring solutions.

My tenant of 3 years is moving out. He was my first tenant in converting from owner occupied. He has ruined the laminate floors with water damage. They are throughout the house and were there when I bought the house. I do know that the house has a concrete slab foundation, and I suspect that there is not a substantial subfloor between the concrete and the laminate, but I am not sure yet. The laundry room just has concrete and there is little if any difference in the floor level with the rest of the house.

The kitchen, dining area, and bath have radiant floor heat so the floors are toasty warm in winter in that part of the house.

In researching tile, vinyl, and laminate (which I question in a rental now) it dawned on me that polishing the concrete floors might be an option! This is a nice house in a not-great neighborhood that has a wide range of home values as it contains a lot of view properties. I hope to attract a quality tenant and want the flooring to be attractive but also economical.

Any ideas or suggestions about polished concrete vs vinyl plank or tile throughout, vs tile in kitchen/bath/hall/entries and laminate elsewhere?

I will not do carpet unless maybe in bedrooms as a last resort.

Thank you!!