The best option for apartment flooring depends on the property and the owner’s budget, but in any case, luxury vinyl tile certainly tops the list. Apartment owners, facility managers, and designers generally specify flooring for its price point and durability, not just its appearance, giving vinyl an edge compared to other flooring categories.
Luxury vinyl tile is often used for apartment flooring, especially in mid-range to lower-price point properties. Even in high-end apartments, however, vinyl flooring can offer looks that mimic expensive wood and stone so well, you have to touch it to know the difference.
Requirements for Apartment Flooring in a Rental Property
Most apartment owners and facility managers walk a fine line between saving money and pleasing renters. Expensive hardwood and tile may be a renters’ dream flooring, but installation, maintenance, and replacement costs are prohibitive for most apartment owners.
On the other hand, carpet may be inexpensive to install and replace, but renters are likely to choose another apartment complex for more desirable hard surface flooring. It’s hardly worth saving money on cheap flooring if you can’t keep the space rented.
Cost
The bottom line affects all decision-making when it comes to apartment flooring. Apartments must make money for the owners, and money spent on expensive flooring dips into profits. Apartment flooring needs to offer a range of affordable price points to help owners and facility managers stay within budget.
Durability
Renters are notoriously hard on flooring, so durability is the second-most important consideration when choosing apartment flooring. It needs to stand up to heavy traffic and resist stains.
For renters, apartment flooring must also be easy to maintain with quick clean-up of household spills and messes. The best apartment flooring lasts several years of heavy use to maximize longevity and minimize replacements.
Appearance
Renters care most about appearance. Like homeowners, they prefer the looks of hard surface flooring — wood, tile, and stone. The better the look of the apartment flooring, the easier it is to attract and keep renters.
The Best Flooring for Rental Property
Property owners and managers face abundant flooring options and materials, each with unique pros and cons. Let’s look at several options, including luxury vinyl tile, carpet, wood, and tile.
Luxury Vinyl Tile
Taking all factors into account, luxury vinyl tile is one of the best flooring options for rental properties. It offers a range of price points to fit the budget of most owners or managers, and vinyl flooring installation is quick and easy for additional savings.
Luxury vinyl tiles are also easy to maintain. Household messes are easy to clean up, and the vinyl resists stains, making the apartment flooring look better for longer.
Renters prefer the realistic wood and tile looks that luxury vinyl tile flooring provides, along with its comfort underfoot, helping to attract and keep renters longer. Plus, the durability of vinyl flooring minimizes the need for replacement.
Carpet
Carpet was once the gold standard for apartment flooring. Carpet can be inexpensive and easy to install. It also feels soft and warm underfoot. But once preferences for hard surface flooring like wood and tile began to rise, carpet lost its allure.
Carpet is difficult to maintain, a serious detractor for renters and owners. Spills and messes soak into the carpet pile and can be difficult to remove. Carpet also stains more easily than luxury vinyl, requiring more frequent replacements.
Lower pile commercial carpet tile is easier to maintain but may not offer the aesthetics renters are looking for.
Laminate
Another affordable product that simulates expensive hardwood is laminate flooring. Laminate is easy to install, clicking together like luxury vinyl tile. However, the similarities end there.
Laminate’s designs lack the authentic look and feel of luxury vinyl. The surface of laminate flooring is often flat, making it look fake. Also, laminate can have a hollow sound underfoot that feels artificial.
Most importantly, laminate does not stand up to water like luxury vinyl tile. Household spills or splashes easily damage most laminate flooring, so it is often unfit for rooms like kitchens or baths, whereas luxury vinyl tile performs well in any room.
Hardwood
The most popular of the flooring categories, hardwood flooring is also one of the most expensive to purchase and install. Even engineered hardwood can be cost prohibitive for many apartment owners.
Hardwood flooring can last for generations in a home where the floors are cared for properly, but hardwood flooring does not fare as well in a rental apartment. Heavier traffic, improper and less regular cleaning, and abuse from children or pets can all wreak havoc on a hardwood floor.
Water can also cause permanent damage to hardwood flooring, again making it inappropriate for apartment kitchens or bathrooms
Tile
Tile is the most durable of the flooring categories. If laid properly, tile flooring can last for decades. It is also the easiest to clean and maintain and is impervious to water.
However, tile is also hard underfoot and more apt to result in injuries from falls. Although it performs well in kitchens and baths, many renters prefer not to have hard tile flooring throughout the apartment.
Additionally, tile flooring is the most expensive option and also the most costly to install. Even if the tile never needed replacing due to damage or wear, it would need periodic replacement for style. Demolition and replacement costs usually prove cost prohibitive for most apartment owners.
Contact Us
If you are looking for luxury vinyl flooring for your rental property, LX Hausys offers HFLOR brand name luxury vinyl tile flooring. Choose from a wide array of styles that renters will love at a price point that suits your budget. LX Hausys also offers a multifamily inspiration gallery and a virtual showroom. Let’s talk about your next project, complete our contact form and one of our flooring experts will respond promptly.