What are the downsides to the pergo type laminates in a rental unit?
I would consider these “mid level” as far as rental prices.
I have Pergo in my own home (in the basement), and it seems quite durable. Spills seem to clean up easily too.
Any thoughts?
Spills should be the least of your concern. What about someone dropping something accidently onto the pergo, chipping the floor, and having it show easily. A few of these “accidents” as renters like to say and then your floor will show wear. I usually go with a cheap remy vinyl that I find at Lowe’s or Depot.
Nate-WI
There is no right or wrong answer here. The truth is that tenants can and will rapidly tear up whatever you put in a rental. We have tried just about everything, and my opinion is that cheap carpet is the best way to go. I buy Lowe’s carpet at 45 to 55 cents per square foot. I always ask if they have any discontinued carpet when I’m buying carpet. If so, I buy that.
We have even started putting carpet in the kitchen and bath (with no pad). The reason is that we’ve had a lot of trouble with tenants ripping the vinyl, even when we used premium vinyl.
The nice thing about carpet is that once the carpet is initially installed, it literally only takes one person (me) two hours to replace it once it has been destroyed. We re-use the tack strips and the pad (unless it really smells). Just place it and stretch it (with a knee kicker) and you’re done. I’m no expert, but I can do a professional looking job and do about one room every two hours.
That’s my opinion.
Mike
Excellent advice, Mike, especially since I’m in the middle of a rehab in which I’m debating on replacing the carpet. It’s stained throughout, and I’m thinking of just ripping it all up and installing some low-grade stuff.
I go with carpeting.
I got oak plank floors mostly, and years ago, I had some units sanded and the floors polyeutherined. After some of the floors were scratched up after only one short tenancy with people dragging furniture along the floor, I had it and carpeted all my units since.
Right now, I have one tenant who asked to allow him to remove the carpet, and have a oak floor. I said Ok, fix it up, and carpet up the place when you leave.
Nowadays, I buy the carpets and have them remove the old carpet, and put in the new ones. I used to do them myself, but I no longer think it’s worth it.
Lot simpler carpeting than getting upset over scratched up oak floors.
One thing I’ve noticed as a Realtor, people love hardwood floors, gets more interest than a place with carpets. However carpets are more livable than hardwoods. So as a landlord, I’ve just had hardwood floors refinished and I get lots of interest. Now once they move it, they ask if it’s ok to just put down some carpets or rugs, not install them like wall to wall but just carpet up a few areas. I usually say sure. So to sum it up, hardwoods makes it easy to rent/sell, carpets are easier to live with. Pick your poison.