What Flooring Are You Using in 2015 For Rentals?

[Ben Stout]

Over the years my preference in flooring has changed a lot. I started out with carpet, then moved to refinished hardwoods in older homes, then I started exclusively using Allure Vinyl Planks (glue ones). Now I'm not so sure. 

I've done many Allure installs with generally pretty good luck. Unfortunately, I have one house where the seams kept lifting and I was playing "whack a mole" with the crazy glue. After this experience, and due to the fact that I bought 5 pallets at $.99/sft way back when and nowadays it doesn't seem to budge from $2.09 or $1.79 (depending on style), I'm wondering if there's something better out there. I don't want a tenant moving in and immediately complaining about flooring... especially a flooring that's become so expensive. 

I used to prefer vinyl planks, because I could put all the boxes in the house, pull up tack strips, prep subfloor... then wait a day or so and lay all the flooring in about 2 days after it had time to adjust to the house's temp. It was quick and easy. 

Now I'm seeing products like this: http://www.homedepot.com/p/TrafficMASTER-Lakeshore...

At $.79 I can use a 10% off Lowe's coupon and be paying close to 70 cents for a laminate that gets great reviews. A great review like that is likely to be very well-reviewed by potential tenants as well. This is over a full dollar a square foot cheaper than Allure (more after you account for tax ) and I can make the process pretty quick by using a laminate cutter.

I could try porcelain tiles, but I just don't think houses are as appealing with tile throughout. Maybe this is personal bias. I'm thinking the way forward is a laminate like the one above and nice premium vinyl tiles for kitchens and wet areas. 

What are you guys using? What's your preference in 2015? Have you changed your thoughts over the years? 

[Paul Wurster]

We've used a mix of laminate, tile, and adhesive vinyl squares in our rentals and rehabs over the last few years.

Concrete, tile, and hardwood are all relatively permanent products.  They can be repaired and redone, but they should last 25+ years.  At the other end, you have carpet, vinyl, and laminate.  They all have varying lifespans dependent on usage and the quality of installation.  We settled into laminates that were between a $1-2/sq ft because they should last longer than carpet, are repairable, and resist stink and staining better than carpet.  However, if we need it done fast, cheap and durable carpet can be bought and installed in a  day.  If time is on your side, I would probably go with laminate.  If the subfloor is crap or if you need to be done in a day or two, carpet.  

We used porcelain tiles in kitchens, bathrooms and entry ways.  It is a pain.  It is dirty, and it takes at least three days to finish.   It should last a long time with little hassle if the installation was good, but it if it wasn't, you could just be inviting more problems down the line.  The stick on tiles are fairly durable and look okay if installed well.  If they start to pull up in the corners though, remove them because they will look ghetto as all get out.  

So to answer your question, I would say give the laminate a try.  It is my go to material for our mid market rentals/ starter homes.  I have not really had a problem.  If hardwoods already exist, by all means, have them refinished.  Don't be afraid to mix and match too.  laminate in the common areas, carpet in the bedrooms, and tile in the bathrooms and possibly kitchen.