There are lots of options for your flooring for your Boston single-family rental property. Flooring types – tile, hardwood, and vinyl are the most popular choices for property owners. However, if you have to choose only one, this could prove to be a challenge. Tile, hardwood, and vinyl flooring each have qualities that are unique from one another. Once you know these qualities, you can then decide which flooring to choose 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. Tile has many benefits and the two biggest advantages are durability and water resistance. 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. Lastly, tile is better than hardwood with regards to being affordable and requiring less maintenance.
But that doesn’t mean that tile is superior in all counts. Tile may promise long years of service, but this may not be the case if you do not properly maintain it. Take note that certain household cleaners can damage to your tile. As it gets older, the tile grout can get stained or dirty. To improve its condition, you have to clean or replace or reseal them. One last thing to consider is the huge effort it takes if you decide to replace the entire tile floor. Also keep in mind that your tile’s availability may be change in the future.
Hardwood
The beauty and warmth of a hardwood floor are hard to match. That’s why many property owners choose hardwood. Just like tile, hardwood is durable and can last for years with proper maintenance. Having many wood options out there, this increases the property value and attracts tenants who are in the market for an upgraded rental home.
All things could have pointed to hardwood had the price been just right. Also, the need for skilled installation makes the hardwood an expensive type of flooring. Hardwood floors are also more susceptible to water damage, stains, and wear, so regular maintenance is very important. Harsh chemicals and cleaners may destroy the wood floor so tenants need to be advised regarding proper care. It is also prudent to have a budget for the refinishing of your property’s wood floors once every few years to maintain its long-term appeal.
Vinyl
While tile and hardwood have many advantages, for rental property owners, vinyl flooring is by far the most popular choice. This is because of the many advantages that vinyl brings but it mostly comes down to the cost. You may be paying less for vinyl but the range of colors, styles, and options it offers are plenty. Property owners also prefer the convenience of easy replacement and repair of vinyl. Vinyl planking, in particular, can be repaired in small sections without needing to replace the entire floor. Cleaning vinyl is easy and you don’t need to worry much about water damage.
However, here are a few items to look into before proceeding with vinyl. The first thing to remember is vinyl floors get gouged or scratched easily especially when a tenant moves heavy furniture without protecting the floor beneath it. 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 advantages, but their disadvantages should be carefully taken into account. 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 Commonwealth has your solution! Contact us online or call us at 617-299-2342.
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