Having a hard time choosing flooring materials for your Smithfield single-family rental property? Flooring types – tile, hardwood, and vinyl are the go-to materials for most property owners. But careful research should be done if only one of these is to be chosen. Tile, hardwood, and vinyl flooring each have qualities that differ from one another. By knowing the advantages and disadvantages of these, you can then decide which flooring is best suited for your properties.
Tile
A tile floor’s look seems to never go out of style, that’s why it remains to be one of the most popular choices. Durability and water-resistance are two key advantages of the tile. Tile, having many different colors, sizes, and styles, makes it possible for you to have floor designs that range from simple to elaborate. Repair and replacement of tiles are also very simple. Just remove the damaged tile and replace it with another. Finally, tile beats hardwood again in terms of affordability and lesser maintenance costs.
But that doesn’t mean that tile is superior in all counts. Yes, it’s true that tile will last for years, but only if it is properly maintained. Take note that certain household cleaners can damage to your tile. Tile grout can get stained and dirty as it gets older, so you have to clean, replace, or reseal to keep it looking new. Finally, be aware that replacing the entire tile floor can be a very big task and tile availability can change over time.
Hardwood
The beauty and warmth of a hardwood floor is like no other. This is why many property owners prefer hardwood. Hardwood is very durable and can give you years of service with proper maintenance. With many wood options available in the market, this can increase the property value, which in turn attracts tenants who are looking to upgrade their rental home.
But on the other side, the greatest disadvantage of hardwood would be its price. It is one of the most expensive types of flooring available and this is partly because it requires 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 damage the wood floor so you need to inform the tenants on the proper way of caring for them. 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. We can tell you about all the reasons for this but it practically boils down to cost. You may be paying less for vinyl but the range of colors, styles, and options it offers are plenty. Property owners also prefer vinyl for the ease of replacement and repair. Vinyl planking, in particular, can be repaired in small sections without needing to replace the entire floor. It is easy to clean vinyl and you don’t need to be concerned with water damage.
Before you decide to install vinyl, it is also important to take note of its weaknesses. 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 that tenants would need clear instructions on vinyl floor maintenance.
Tile, hardwood, and vinyl flooring each have good qualities, but they also have bad qualities that must be carefully considered. However, once you’re done with this, choosing the right flooring for your rental property is 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 Cache Valley has your solution! Contact us online or call us at 435-753-5200.
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