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Tile, Hardwood, or Vinyl?

Man Installing Fairhaven FlooringHaving a hard time choosing flooring materials for your Fairhaven single-family rental property? Fret not, we will guide you all the way. The popular choices for property owners are tile, hardwood, and vinyl flooring. However, if you have to choose only one, this could prove to be a challenge. Tile, hardwood, and vinyl flooring each have qualities that differ from one another. Study these qualities and then make an informed decision for which flooring is best for your properties.

Tile

Tile never seems to go out of style and that’s why it remains to be one of the most popular choices. Durability and water-resistance are two key advantages of the tile. With tile, it is up to you whether you want a simple or elaborate design for your floors since there are many different colors, sizes, and styles to choose from. Repair and replacement of tiles are also very simple. Just remove the damaged tile and replace it with another. Compared to hardwood, tile is more affordable and requires less maintenance.

But that doesn’t mean that tile is superior in all counts. The tile promises years of good service, only if you do your share of proper maintenance. Take note that certain household cleaners can damage to your tile. In order to maintain its good condition, you have to clean, replace, or reseal the tile grout since it would get stained or dirty through the years. 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 are hard to match. This is why hardwood is a popular choice among property owners. What’s more, hardwood, like tile is very durable and can last for years with proper maintenance. Plus, there are a lot of wood options to add to the value of your property, which can then attract tenants who are looking for an upgraded rental home.

There are many things to be happy about when it comes to hardwood except for 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 susceptible to water damage, stains, and wear, so regular maintenance is very important. Harsh chemicals and cleaners may cause damage to the wood floor so tenants must be aware of how to care for them. It is also a good idea to set aside funds for the refinishing of your property’s wood floors every few years to maintain its long-term appeal.

Vinyl

Tile and hardwood may be great options, but for rental property owners, vinyl flooring is by far the most popular choice. We can cite many reasons for this but foremost is the cost. Even though vinyl costs less than tile or hardwood, it still offers a huge range of colors, styles, and options. 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. Cleaning vinyl is easy and you don’t need to worry much about water damage.

Before you decide to install vinyl, it is also important to take note of its weaknesses. Be aware that vinyl floors get gouged or scratched easily 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 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. After giving this a lot of thought, choosing for 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 Success has your solution! Contact us online or call us at 908-239-7579.

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