Blog & Advice

Vinyl Plank Flooring Versus Carpet: Which Is Best for Your Rental Property?

Choosing the best type of flooring for your rental property can be a challenge. This is because there are many factors to consider, from cost to durability and beyond. When trying to decide whether to install either vinyl plank flooring or carpet in a rental property, it’s important to first look at the pros and cons of both flooring types. Both vinyl plank flooring and carpet offer many benefits, but they both have several drawbacks as well. Once you have the information you need about both flooring types, you can more easily make the right decision for each individual rental property.

Vinyl Plank Flooring

Vinyl plank flooring is vinyl flooring designed to resemble a hardwood floor. The vinyl pieces even come in planks, just like hardwood does, and is available in a wide range of colors and styles. For property owners seeking to upgrade the overall look and feel of a rental home, vinyl plank flooring can be an affordable option with aesthetically pleasing results. Vinyl plank flooring can be a good choice for a rental home because it is water resistant, easy to clean, and long-lasting. Many kinds of vinyl plank are backed with a felt product, resulting in a softer floor with more give. This makes a vinyl plank floor easier to walk and stand on, as well as making objects less likely to break if dropped on the floor.

Along with these benefits, however, there are some drawbacks to vinyl plank flooring. It does tend to cost more than a basic carpet, especially because it may require professional installation. What is more, vinyl can be gouged or scuffed by heavy furniture or other objects, permanently marring the overall appearance of the floor. Finally, it’s important to note that vinyl plank flooring does not typically add to the overall value of your property in any significant way, unlike hardwood floors, which do usually offer an increase in resale value.

Carpet

Carpet, on the other hand, is the standard flooring choice for the vast majority of rental homes. This is largely because it is relatively affordable and comes in many different colors and styles. Renters may expect to have carpet on at least some of the rental home’s floors, creating a stronger appeal for certain individuals. Carpet is also pleasant to walk on and can help rooms stay warm in cold weather.

However, carpet does have a few disadvantages as well. Carpets are far more likely to stain and show wear faster than a vinyl plank floor is. Stained carpet can significantly impede your ability to rent your property for the highest possible rate, and may have a negative impact on your property values as well. Carpets also tend to become saturated with certain odors like cigarette smoke or pet odors, making them difficult to fully clean and sanitize. Carpets in a rental home will usually need to be replaced more often that vinyl plank flooring, about every 5 years or even sooner if subjected to heavy use. Choosing between vinyl plank flooring and carpet for your rental property can be a challenge, but not if you have the right information and industry experts on your side.

Knowing which flooring type is the best option for your particular situation can help you keep your profits high and property values growing year after year. At Real Property Management, we can help with that. Our professionals can help you plan your rental property flooring installation or replacement while ensuring that you achieve the maximum value possible for your investment property. Would you like to learn more? Please contact your nearest Real Property Management office for more information.