Real Estate Tips |5 min read

Best Flooring for Rental Property: Pros & Cons to All Types

From top to bottom, rental homes are a lot to manage. Keeping units up-to-date and attractive to new tenants is always on your mind. Every so often that means refreshing the floors. Sometimes, frankly, they have just seen a lot of wear and tear. So, what is the best flooring for rental property and what types do you choose for your units? The answer can vary.

There are a lot of pros and cons to any flooring. Being property managers in Boston, Baltimore, and other areas means knowing the costs for each type and the expectations of different types of property. So there is certainly no one-size-fits-all to finding the best flooring for rental property. Let’s dive into this topic and explore the types and differences between them.

Table of Contents

Overview of the Best Flooring for Rental Property

There is a wide variety of flooring options out there. As landlords or property owners, especially if you have a lot of units, it is something you’ll need to address fairly often. Each choice of flooring comes with its own advantages and disadvantages Landlords must take into account factors such as cost, long-term durability, and ease of upkeep, while also considering aesthetics, tenant comfort, and overall value. Let’s take a look at the most common types and break down some of their overall characteristics.

Empty bedroom entrance in new modern luxury apartment with carpeting, which represents the best flooring for rental property for many.Carpet

One popular flooring option is carpeting. It is a good option for many apartments and other rental property because it’s soft, reasonably easy to install, and comes in many colors and styles. Carpet is particularly great for bedrooms, hallways, and more.

Carpet can enhance the aesthetic appeal in a number of ways. Carpet is just more comfortable on bare feet than many other options. They provide a cozy and inviting atmosphere in certain ways. They also offer insulation benefits, helping to maintain comfortable temperatures and reduce noise, which is particularly advantageous when we’re talking about the best carpeting for rental property. However, carpets require regular maintenance to keep them clean and presentable. They can trap allergens like pet dander, dust mites, pollen, and mold. Additionally, carpets can be more challenging to clean and repair compared to other flooring options.

Laminate

Lamanite flooring is another option that many property owners and landlords choose. As one of the cheaper rental property flooring choices, it provides some of the benefits of hardwood (and sometimes look like hardwood) while being much easier on the wallet. This durable option is perfect for high-traffic home areas or rental properties that allow pets.

Laminate is easy to clean and maintain, requiring only regular sweeping and occasional damp mopping. While it may not provide the same warmth as carpet, its practicality and cost-effectiveness make it a smart investment for landlords looking to balance style with functionality.

brown wood hardwood floor in rental propertyHardwood

Many choose hardwood flooring. Why? Frankly, it is a timeless option and one of the best flooring for rental property in many ways. It is elegant and has a high-end appearance that appeals to tenants. Known for its longevity, hardwood can withstand years of use with proper care and can often be refinished to restore its original beauty. It adds value to a property, which many home owners like.

That being said, hardwood requires more maintenance to prevent damage and wear and comes with a higher upfront cost. It typically lasts longer that many other options. It could be considered an option for landlords and owners looking for a long-term investment and those focused on quality.

Clean trash bin in modern kitchen with tile flooringTile

Tile is another popular flooring option for rentals. The fact that it is low-maintenance and comes in so many different shapes, colors, patterns, and designs makes it a versatile choice. Modern production techniques have made is so that they can be created to look like stone, wood, and other natural materials. Tile is relatively cost effective (though not the cheapest on this list) and is often found in bathrooms and kitchens where water and other spills can benefit from the ease of cleanup.

Benefits of the Different Types

It would be helpful for many – trust us – to break down the specific benefits of each type of flooring. Think of it analytically! If you’re looking for the best flooring for rental property, investigating them with a direct side-by-side comparison can go a long way towards helping you make a decision.

Carpet

  1. Comfort and Warmth – Soft underfoot and provides insulation, making it ideal for bedrooms and living areas.
  2. Affordability – Generally cost-effective and easy to replace if damaged.
  3. Noise Reduction – Dampens sound, making it great for multi-level units or shared spaces.
Laminate

  1. Durability – Resistant to scratches, stains, and wear, making it ideal for high-traffic areas.
  2. Affordability – One of the cheapest options for flooring.
  3. Easy Maintenance – Requires minimal upkeep, with simple cleaning methods.
Hardwood

  1. Longevity – Can last for decades and be refinished multiple times.
  2. Tenant Appeal – Adds a high-end, timeless aesthetic that increases property value.
  3. Allergen-Friendly – Easy to clean and does not trap dust or allergens.
Tile

  1. Water Resistance – Ideal for kitchens, bathrooms, and areas prone to moisture.
  2. Durability – Highly resistant to scratches, stains, and wear over time.
  3. Variety and Style – Comes in a wide range of colors, patterns, and textures to fit any design.

How Property Management Can Help

Keeping up with all the things involved with being a landlord or rental property owner can seem impossible. After all, you can’t be in more than one place at once, and being an expert on everything just isn’t reasonable. As a result, many busy rental property owners hire property management teams to streamline processes and maximize profits.

Contact Us Today! 

Bay Property Management Group offers comprehensive management services, including maintenance, tenant screening, rent collection, and more. Allow our hardworking team of professionals to manage your rental while providing the greatest return on your investment. Contact BMG today if you’re looking for full-service management in Boston, Baltimore, Philadelphia, Northern Virginia, and elsewhere.

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