What’s The Best Flooring For A Rental Property?

Luxury vinyl plank (LVP) is the best flooring for a rental property because it is durable, affordable, easy to maintain, and attractive to tenants.

Flooring plays a major role in how a rental performs over time. Tenants walk on it every day, move furniture across it, and sometimes spill food or water. Poor flooring choices can lead to frequent repairs, early replacement, and higher turnover between tenants.

With over two decades of experience in managing rental properties, I’ve seen how choosing the right flooring can lower repair costs, reduce tenant turnover, and make units easier to rent. In this blog, I will explain rental property flooring, which materials are easiest to maintain, and which provide the best long-term value, so you can choose the best flooring for rental property with confidence.

Factors to Consider Before Choosing Flooring for a Rental Property

Before deciding which flooring is best for your rental unit, you need to look beyond just appearance. The right flooring depends on how the property is used, who lives there, and how often tenants move out. Thinking through these factors early helps avoid costly mistakes later.

1. Budget and Total Cost: Always consider the full cost, not just the material price. This includes installation, underlayment, and future replacement. Flooring that is cheap upfront may wear out faster and cost more over time.

2. Durability and lifespan: Rental flooring must handle daily foot traffic, furniture movement, and long-term use. Materials with longer lifespans reduce how often floors need to be replaced between tenants.

3. Maintenance and Cleaning Needs: Easy-to-clean flooring helps speed tenant turnovers and lowers cleaning costs. Flooring that needs special care or frequent deep cleaning can become expensive and time-consuming.

4. Pet and Scratch Resistance: If pets are allowed in your rental unit, the flooring must handle scratches, spills, and accidents. Durable surfaces protect the floor and reduce damage-related complaints and repairs.
5. Ease of repair and replacement: landlord-friendly flooring allows damaged planks or tiles to be replaced without redoing the entire room. This saves both time and money during turnovers.

After considering these factors, let’s explore the most durable and cost-effective flooring options landlords use today.

What Are the Best Flooring Options for Rental Properties?

There is no single flooring option that works for every rental property. The best choice depends on your budget, property type, and how much wear the floor will receive. Below are the top flooring options for rental properties landlords use, along with their pros and cons:

1. Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP)

Luxury vinyl plank is one of the most popular flooring choices for rental properties today. It looks like real wood but is made from durable synthetic materials. LVP performs well in rentals because it resists everyday damage.

Most of the LVP products are water-resistant or fully waterproof, which helps prevent problems caused by spills, wet shoes, or cleaning.

Pros:

• Excellent resistance to scratches, dents, and daily wear.
• Handles moisture better than wood or laminate
• Easy to clean
• Appeals to most renters due to its modern looks
• Works well with many subfloor types

Cons:

• Low-quality LVP products can wear out quickly
• Lower resale value compared to real hardwood
• Uneven subfloors can cause flexing if not prepared properly

2. Ceramic or Porcelain Tile

Tile flooring is one of the most durable flooring options available for rental properties. It is made from fired clay or porcelain and finished with a hard surface that resists water and stains.

Tile is especially useful in areas where moisture is a concern. Bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, and entryways benefit from tile because it does not absorb water. When installed correctly, tile can last decades with minimal structural damage.

Pros:

• Long-lasting durability
• Good resistance to water and stains
• Easy to clean spills and pet messes
• Suitable in warmer climates as well as humid areas
• Holds up well in high-traffic areas

Cons:

• The installation cost is high
• Hard and cold underfoot
• Grout requires maintenance
• Repairs can be visible if the tiles crack

3. Laminate Flooring

If you are looking for cost-effective flooring to refresh a unit quickly, laminate flooring is a good choice. It uses a printed surface layer that looks like wood, protected by a clear wear layer.

This flooring works well in dry areas with moderate foot traffic. It resists surface scratches and fading, which makes it useful in living rooms and bedrooms. However, laminate is not fully waterproof. Prolonged exposure to water can cause swelling or damage to the core.

For landlords, laminate can be easy to install and replace, but once damaged, it cannot be refinished. This means boards must be replaced if water damage or deep wear occurs.

Pros:

• Lower initial cost
• Scratch-resistant surface
• Easy to install
• Consistent look

Cons:

• Poor performance in wet areas
• Cannot be refinished
• Can feel hollow or noisy
• Less durable compared to LVP and tile

4. Carpet

Carpets are often chosen for comfort rather than durability. In rental properties, it works best when limited to bedrooms or low-traffic areas. Short-pile, commercial-grade carpet performs better than plush carpet in rentals. It’s easier to clean, shows less wear, and dries faster after cleaning.

The downside is maintenance. Stains, odors, and pet damage are common issues. Carpet often needs replacement more frequently than hard flooring, especially in high-turnover units.

Pros:

• Soft and warm
• Reduces noise
• Lower material cost
• Comfortable option for the bedroom

Cons:

• Stains and odors are difficult to remove
• Less durable
• Requires more frequent cleaning and replacement
• Not ideal for pet-friendly rentals

5. Hardwood Flooring

Hardwood flooring offers a classic look that appeals to tenants in higher-end rental markets. Solid hardwood is made from a single piece of wood; whole engineered hardwood has a wood veneer over layered plywood.

Engineered hardwood is more stable than solid wood, making it better suited for rentals where moisture or temperature changes occur. Solid hardwood can be refinished several times, which extends its lifespan, but it requires careful maintenance.

Hardwood floors can scratch, dent, or stain if not protected. So, you must weigh the higher upfront cost against the long-term value and appearance benefits.

Pros:

• Timeless and attractive appearance
• Enhance perception of rental quality
• Solid hardwood can be refinished
• Engineered wood handles movement better

Cons:

• Higher cost
• Prone to water and moisture damage
• Requires careful maintenance
• Repairs can be expensive

Looking at flooring options side by side makes it easier to compare cost, durability, and maintenance so landlords can choose what fits their rental strategy.

Rental Property Flooring Comparison

This comparison table gives you a quick side-by-side view of common rental flooring options.

Flooring Type	Average Installed Cost(per sq ft)	Durability/ Lifespan	Maintenance Level	Best For
Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP)	$4-$11	10-20 years	Very low	Most rentals, kitchens, living rooms, and basements
Ceramic/ Porcelain Tile	$12-$45	20+ years	Low	Bathrooms, kitchens, laundry rooms, humid areas
Laminate Flooring	$2-$8	8-15 years	Low	Living rooms, bedrooms, dry areas
Carpet	$2-$6	5-10 years	Medium to high	Bedrooms, low-traffic areas
Engineered Hardwood	$6-$15+	20-30 years	Medium	Higher-end rentals, living and dining rooms
Solid Hardwood	$8-$20+	40+ years	Medium to High	Premium rentals, long-term hold properties

The best flooring for rental properties depends on the unit’s traffic level, moisture exposure, and budget.

Which is the Best Flooring for a Pier and Beam House?

For most landlords, luxury vinyl plank (LVP) is the safest and most practical flooring choice for pier and beam houses. LVP can handle minor floor movement without cracking, and many options are water-resistant or waterproof. This helps protect the flooring from moisture coming up from the crawl space.

Engineered hardwood is another good option for pier and beam homes when a wood look is preferred. Unlike solid hardwood, engineered wood is built in layers, which makes it more stable and less likely to warp or gap when the subfloor moves.

Common Flooring Mistakes Landlords Should Avoid

When selecting flooring for rental properties, you should be aware of common mistakes and consider how they impact both the property and the rental market. Flooring is one of the most important elements of any rental, so it is critical to make informed choices to avoid costly and time-consuming repair issues.

1. Choosing Flooring Based on Price Alone

Many landlords choose low-cost flooring based solely on its price. While this seems like a good financial decision, in reality, low-cost products typically wear out faster, which results in additional expenses for replacement and repairs over time.

2. Installing carpet in wet or high-traffic areas

Carpet is a popular choice among landlords, but it is not a good choice in wet or high-traffic areas. By using carpet in the kitchen, bathroom, or entryway, landlords may find themselves faced with early replacement costs due to moisture absorption, staining, and odor retention.

3. Picking Trendy Colors or Bold Patterns

Some landlords choose bold flooring colors or trendy designs to make a unit stand out. While this may appeal to a small group of tenants, it can also limit overall interest. Neutral flooring appeals to a wider range of renters, helps units rent faster, and remains relevant for longer periods.

4. Over-Improving for the Rental Market

Installing high-end flooring in a budget rental rarely results in a higher rent that justifies the added cost. In many cases, tenants expect functional, durable flooring rather than luxury materials. Flooring quality should match the property’s rent range and target tenant profile.

Avoiding these mistakes helps you to reduce repair costs, improve tenant satisfaction, and extend the life of their flooring investment.

Final Thoughts on Top Flooring Choices for Rentals

Choosing the best flooring for a rental property comes down to making smart, long-term decisions. Flooring should be durable, easy to maintain, and appealing to tenants.

The right flooring reduces repair costs, shortens vacancy time, and helps keep tenants satisfied. On the other hand, poor flooring choices can lead to early replacements, ongoing maintenance issues, and unnecessary expenses. By considering factors like moisture resistance, durability, tenant use, and property type, landlords can protect their investment and improve overall rental performance.

Flooring is just one part of successful property management. Coordinating repairs, managing turnovers, handling tenant concerns, and staying compliant with local standards can quickly become overwhelming for landlords with multiple properties or limited time. That’s where OKC Home Realty Services comes in.

Contact OKC Home Realty Services today to handle maintenance, turnovers, and tenant management so your properties run smoothly.

FAQs on Which Flooring is Best for Rental?