Tile
Tile floor remains the most popular choice because it doesn’t seem to go out of style. Two strong points of tile are its durability and high levels of water resistance. Since tile comes in different colors, sizes, and styles, the floor designs that you can have are virtually endless. When it comes to repair and replacement, it would be fairly easy since you just replace the old tile with a new one. Lastly, tile is better than hardwood with regards to being affordable and requiring less maintenance.
But tile has a few disadvantages too. Tile may promise long years of service, but this may not be the case if you do not properly maintain it. Identify household cleaners that can potentially damage your tile and refrain from using them. As it gets older, the tile grout can get stained or dirty. To improve its condition, you have to clean or replace or reseal them. One last thing to consider is the huge effort it takes if you decide to replace the entire tile floor. Also keep in mind that your tile’s availability may be change in the future.
Hardwood
The beauty and warmth of a hardwood floor is something special. That’s why many property owners choose hardwood. Hardwood is very durable and can give you years of service with proper maintenance. With many wood options available, this increases the property value that could attract tenants who are looking into upgrading their rental homes.
But on the other side, the greatest disadvantage of hardwood would be its price. It is one of the most expensive types of flooring partly because it needs skilled installation. Hardwood floors are also more likely to incur water damage, stains, and wear, so regular maintenance is a priority. Harsh chemicals and cleaners can be harmful to wood floors so you must teach your tenants how to properly care for it. In addition, you need to budget for the refinishing of your property’s wood floors every few years to maintain its long-term appeal.
Vinyl
It may be true that tile and hardwood are superior in many counts but for rental property owners, vinyl flooring is by far the most popular choice. There are lots of reasons for this but it mostly boils down to the cost. You pay less with vinyl but the range of colors, styles, and options it offers is huge. Property owners also prefer vinyl because it is easy to replace and repair. Vinyl planking, in particular, can be repaired in small sections without needing to replace the entire floor. It is easy to keep vinyl clean and it also is quite resistant to water damage.
Like everything else, there are things to look into before going for vinyl. Vinyl floors get easily gouged or scratched especially when a tenant moves heavy furniture without protecting the floor underneath. Vinyl works well in some rooms, but some tenants may not like vinyl in every single room of the house. Just like with tile and hardwood, it is possible to damage vinyl by using the wrong cleaning solution so tenants would need clear instructions on vinyl floor maintenance.
There are many advantages for tile, hardwood, and vinyl flooring but the disadvantages should be carefully studied. Once you have weighed both sides, choosing the right flooring for your rental property becomes a quick and painless process.
Have you found a rental property to invest in, but are feeling overwhelmed with the management side of things? Real Property Management DuPage Preferred has your solution! Contact us online or call us at 630-427-2200.