The Best Flooring for Rental Properties
What are the best flooring options for a rental property?
Are you a landlord or property developer who is looking to rent out property? Hamilton Flooring can help you decide on the best flooring types for different rooms of your rental property to maximise your rental potential and ensure the durable and cost effective maintenance of the flooring.
Installing or replacing the flooring of a rental property can be a large expense so it is really important to make the best choice for the type of rental and type of property, whether furnished, unfurnished or even an Airbnb.
There are four key considerations when looking at flooring options:
1. Cost of flooring for rental
This is a very important consideration for your rental property flooring as you will want to think about the cost of and installation of your flooring solution but you will also want to think about ongoing maintenance and also the rent you are charging for your property. A beautiful floor can increase the aesthetic value of your property and an attractive property will attract quality tenants. Unless you are renting out a multi-million pound mansion you may want to avoid top-end extremely expensive materials such as marble but regardless of whether its a mansion or a maisonette you will want the best flooring your budget can allow for.
2. Durability of flooring for rental
When selecting the best flooring solution for your rental property, durability and longevity is perhaps one of THE most important considerations. No matter the initial cost of the flooring, if you are having to regularly replace the flooring you will have fallen into the trap of false economy which so often ensnares landlords. Ideally you will want the best flooring type for your budget which is also highly durable, attractive to tenants and will withstand a great deal of wear and tear.
3. Mass appeal - Keep it neutral: how to achieve a homely feel in a rental
By this we definitely do not mean cream carpets throughout but rather that choosing a flooring which will suit most tastes, will not look dated too quickly and which will look good for longer. You will not be living at the property so avoid the temptation to design your property around your tastes. Equally, with the housing market being the way it currently is, with an expectation that most people will rent rather than buy and with a lot of competition in the rental market you want your properties to stand out from the rest. A rental property may not be the house of the tenants but it is their home for the duration of their tenancy and you will want to make it feel that way. Avoiding overly clinical looks will help achieve this and rental properties which are decorated to feel homely and well designed are proven to be snapped up quicker by tenants! Which is ultimately the aim - to provide quality rental properties for quality tenants, making some profit in the process!
4. Choosing a floor to match the room function
Different flooring solutions work best in different rooms of the rental property and also different types of rental property. In much the same as you would you own home, avoid carpets in areas which experience moisture and humidity like bathrooms and select more durable solutions for areas of high traffic such as hallways and entrances. It may be a generalisation but on the whole, tenants will not be as considerate of the floors of their homes when living in a rental property as they may be in a property they own so it's worth considering the ease of maintenance of flooring choices, durability and ease of spot replacement should damage occur. A good rule would be to think about what you would have in your own home and then choose a slightly hardier version for your rental property.
The best flooring options for rental properties
We have outlined the four most important factors for choosing the best option for you rental property flooring, now here are some suggestions for the best flooring solutions from Hamilton Flooring. We will cover the pro’s and con’s of certain flooring types as well as the best areas to use these flooring solutions. Hamilton Flooring are specialists in flooring solutions and installation serving Stratford-upon-Avon, Warwick, Leamington Spa, Solihull, Knowle and a whole host of areas in the Warwickshire and West Midlands area, providing solutions across commercial, industrial and residential sectors and have a great deal of experience working with residential rental properties. What follows is some general advice but for specific guidance or for consultation on a specific project please contact one of the flooring experts at Hamilton Flooring.
Carpet
Carpet can be a luxurious addition to any home and it is no different for rental homes. Hamilton Flooring works with some of the best suppliers of carpet in the UK to provide excellent solutions for rental carpeting. The ease of maintenance of carpet tile and carpet plank makes it a popular choice especially because their modular nature means that they can easily be replaced or changed. Its inexpensive nature also means that full changes are viable but more importantly, areas can be replaced if damage occurs. Hamilton flooring offers a broad range of carpets from suppliers such as Burmatex, Desso and Heckmondwike which, between them, have extensive choices for different areas of the property in numerous styles, colours and types.
Carpet Pros:
Insulation - Carpet provides good insulation which can help reduce energy bills and keep rooms feeling cosy.
Noise reduction - the sound dampening properties of carpet help reduce occurrences of noise complaints between neighbours - this is especially important if you are renting out flats or apartments.
Spot replacement - standard wall-to-wall carpet can be a nightmare if rips or stains occur but tile or plank can be replaced in sections should this be needed
Carpet Cons:
Odour trap - Carpet is notorious for trapping odours and allergens which can make preparing a property for new tenants difficult if there were pets or smokers in previously.
Difficult to clean - This con is a mixed bag, if spills occur it can be tough to clean (Which is why we always recommend carpet tile or plank) but on a day to day basis, hoovering should do the job. This does rely on having good tenants but no amount of consideration for flooring or decor can account for the habits of the tenants.
Carpet - best flooring for:
Bedrooms
It is ideal to have carpeted bedrooms for both noise and insulation purposes as well as comfort and aesthetic value.
Second floors
The foot traffic is not generally as high on the second floor of a home, the majority of our time is spent in the lounge and kitchen spaces in a property. This means that carpeting the second floor can be ideal for reducing noise, adding a touch of luxury whilst knowing that it isn't going to take as much of a beating as it would downstairs.
Carpet - not ideal flooring for:
Bathrooms
Please, please, please avoid carpet in the bathroom! It is a recipe for disaster, no matter what pinterest tells you! The combination of humidity, moisture and all manner of toothpaste and shampoo goops being present means it is a breeding ground for mould and damp.
Kitchens
For much the same reasons as above, kitchens do not benefit from carpet. If there are concerns about floors feeling chilly underfoot, a lot can be achieved with a well placed area rug.
Hallways/entryways/common areas
This is perhaps controversial as ‘common areas’ would include living rooms. With regards to living rooms, carpet can be a great and homely addition but as this is the most used room of the home, for a rental property it may not be the best solution. Having said this, carpet tile appears the same as a wall-to-wall carpet so it's common to use carpet tile in living spaces which can be easily maintained although there are other solutions which work just as well. Hallways and entryways also experience significant wear and tear as well as the messes of the outside world so it's best to avoid carpeting these areas.
Luxury Vinyl Flooring
Luxury Vinyl Tiles and Planks (LVT) have evolved into natural looking and textured alternatives to stone, ceramic, wood or laminate floors with a multitude of benefits making LVT an ideal flooring solution for rental homes. Luxury Vinyl Flooring is an incredibly popular choice in commercial and residential flooring and is a far-cry from the cheap and boring idea of vinyl which has dominated in the past!
LVT is an inexpensive flooring solution with extremely high levels of wear resistance and durability meaning they withstand the wear and tear which comes from being a rental property - with the added benefit of individual tiles being replaceable at minimal cost and inconvenience.
Aesthetically, LVT creates an authentic looking floor, replicating natural stone, wood, and tile without the practical downfalls of natural products. Hamilton flooring offers a broad range of Luxury Vinyl Flooring from suppliers such as Amtico and Karndean which have a huge variety of options for all areas of your rental property.
LVT Pros
For more information, read ‘Luxury Vinyl Flooring: Is it the right choice for me?’ for a full discussion of LVT
More affordable than natural counterparts - you can achieve the appearance of natural wood, stone or tile at a fraction of the cost! Plus, LVT has the added benefits of being warm underfoot, water resistant and non-porous!
Easier to install than natural counterparts - The ease of installation for our professional fitters means that floors can be laid quicker and with less inconvenience than many other flooring types. Plus the modular aspects of this flooring type means that it is ideal for rooms with unusual shapes - perfect if you're renting out a lighthouse or windmill!
Durable and hard wearing - LVT is incredibly durable and resistant to scratches. Many LVT brands give a 10 year guarantee or even more! LVT is ideal for rental properties which may experience many changes in residents over the course of a decade.
LVT Cons
For more information, read ‘Luxury Vinyl Flooring: Is it the right choice for me?’ for a full discussion of LVT
Denting and Punctures - Although the layered construction of Luxury Vinyl Tiles and Planks means that the flooring is tough and durable, care should be taken with excessively heavy items or sharp objects. Luxury Vinyl is a softer material that most hardwoods, tiles and laminates. Heavy items may cause some denting when placed on the LVF for long periods of time.
Fading and Discolouration - As with carpet and some other flooring types, direct and excessive exposure to UV light can cause some discolouration or fading to your Luxury Vinyl Flooring. It is advised that LVT and LVP not be used in conservatories and sunrooms because of this, however, spaces exposed to average levels of UV light should not experience problematic fading. It should also be noted that due to the tiling or planking options available with Luxury Vinyl, areas affected by discolouration can be replaced at a very low cost.
LVT - best flooring for:
Bedrooms
Create an ultra modern design or go for classic chic for bedrooms with LVT. Luxury Vinyl Flooring is warm underfoot, absorbs noise and looks stylish whilst remaining less expensive than its natural counterparts. Wood or tile effects are a timeless look in any room of the house and can work beautifully in a bedroom with the addition of an area rug for added texture. The characteristics of LVT make it ideal for rental properties although if bedroom furniture is heavy, coasters should be recommended whether you offer the property furnished or unfurnished.
Dining Room
Perfect for those inevitable spills, LVT is easy to maintain and is wipe clean for spot cleaning. Plus individual tiles can easily be replaced with minimal disruption.
Amtico Spacia Noche Travertine
Living Room
In much the same way as the bedroom, LVT is ideal for living spaces because it is stylish and durable and very easy to maintain. It is warm underfoot and provides a high end finish which is ideal for a rental property - you want the home to look finished to a high standard without paying the prices of hardwood or having the difficulties with maintenance of a standard carpet
LVT - not ideal flooring for:
Conservatories/Garden rooms
This is a bit of a cop out really, LVT works in almost every room of the house from kitchens, bathrooms and utility spaces to bedrooms, lounges and hallways. If your property has a conservatory or garden room, you may wish to avoid LVT because of the impact of constant direct UV light but it should also be said that discolouration and fading from the sun would take quite some time and would impact almost every flooring type. It would maybe be preferential to use sheet vinyl which is less costly than LVT but there’s very little in it.
Final Thoughts
Choosing flooring for your rental property need not be a stressful endeavour, Hamilton Flooring has the expertise to advise on the best solution for every room of your rental! You can invest in higher end products for properties aimed at executive tenants or for properties which are likely to bring in less revenue you can still achieve a high finish and attractive flooring throughout without having to spend a lot of money. The key with rental flooring is making an informed choice early on and ensuring a professional fit and your flooring should stand the test of time and provide a happy home for tenants for years to come.
To talk through your ideas for rental flooring solutions contact Hamilton Flooring and find out how we can help you achieve the look you want at a price that's right!
Unless otherwise stated, Images are used for illustrative purposes and do not represent work untaken by Hamilton flooring - examples of work completed can be found in our Gallery