For decades carpet has been one of the most popular forms of flooring in the rental property industry. But as the cost of carpeting continues to rise and to many new renters carpeting is considered somewhat passé, a new king of flooring is rising. This is vinyl flooring in the form of plank flooring that can be manufactured to look like anything from natural wood to marble.
Perhaps one of the most common reasons given for choosing vinyl plank flooring is durability. Where the average carpet might only last from 2 to 5 years, vinyl plank flooring can last ten or more years. This depends on how well your tenants treat each of these types of flooring.
Unlike carpet that generally speaking cannot be used in kitchens, laundry rooms, and bathrooms, vinyl plank flooring can be used in virtually any room in the home. With so many different styles and finishes to choose from, you have the ability to match the flooring in each room to the rest of the décor and the purpose of the room.
The initial outlay for vinyl plank flooring may be as much as three times that of carpeting. But, if you find yourself frequently replacing the carpets in your rental property, installing this type of flooring may turn out to be more cost-effective.
When it comes to the costs associated with repairing both types of flooring, vinyl plank comes out the clear winner. If you tenant physically damages or stains the carpet in one of your rental units, chances are good you will end up having to replace the entire carpet at significant expense. At the same time, if the tenant only damages one or two boards, those are all that must be replaced. Imagine how much money this will save you over the course of ten years.
If you are like many landlords and/or property managers, you probably stick to pretty neutral colors when installing new carpets. There are good reasons for this, the colors blend well with most décor, your tenants are more likely to be happy with neutral colors, and these carpets tend to cost less. But, when you look at the incredible variety of colors and finishes available, (one manufacturer boasts over 100 choices), you can see why vinyl plank flooring has become so popular.
One last thing to keep in mind, vinyl plank flooring is far easier to keep clean, something every tenant is sure to appreciate. Many believe this type of flooring also offers a more homely feel than carpets and gives your tenants the chance to decorate their homes with a number of throw rugs and area rugs that match their tastes, their furniture, and their choice of décor. No matter how you look at it, installing vinyl plank flooring is a great way to add a fresh new upscale look to your rental units and help cut back on overall maintenance costs.
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