LVP or Carpet? We are often asked our opinion on how to choose flooring for rental property in Middle Tennessee. This decision can be a challenge with many considerations, especially durability and cost. When trying to decide whether to install either vinyl plank flooring or carpet in a rental property, it’s important to first look at the pros and cons of both flooring types. Both vinyl plank flooring and carpet offer many benefits, but they both have drawbacks too. When you have the information you need about both flooring types, you can make the right decision for your rental property.
Vinyl Plank Flooring
Vinyl plank flooring, often called LVP, is vinyl flooring that resembles the look of a hardwood floor. The vinyl pieces even come in planks, just like hardwood does, and are available in a wide range of colors and styles. For property owners wanting to upgrade the overall look of a rental home, vinyl plank flooring can be an affordable option with aesthetically pleasing results. LVP can be a good choice for a rental home because many are water resistant, easy to clean, and long-lasting. It’s not too difficult to remove or replace individual planks if needed. With some varieties, if there is a water leak, you can remove the planks to dry out and then put down again. Many kinds of vinyl plank are also backed with a felt product, resulting in a softer floor with more give. This makes a vinyl plank floor easier to walk and stand on, as well as making objects less likely to break if dropped on the floor than on hardwood. Tenants with pets may prefer LVP throughout the whole house and tenants can add their own area rugs if they wish.
Along with these benefits, however, there are some downsides to vinyl plank flooring. It does tend to cost more than a basic carpet, especially because of installation costs. Vinyl can also be gouged or scuffed by heavy furniture or other objects, permanently marring the overall appearance of the floor. Finally, it’s good to note that LVP does not typically add to the overall value of your property significantly, unlike hardwood floors, which do usually offer an increase in resale value.
Carpet
Carpet, on the other hand, is the standard flooring choice for the majority of rental homes. This is mostly because it is usually more affordable and comes in many different colors and styles. Renters may expect to have carpet on at least some of the rental home’s floors, particularly in bedrooms. Carpet is also pleasing to walk on and can help rooms stay warmer in cold weather.
However, carpet is more easily stained and shows wear faster than a vinyl plank floor. Stained carpet can hurt your ability to rent your property. Carpets also tend to become saturated with odors like cigarette smoke or pet smells, making them difficult to fully clean and sanitize. Carpet in a rental home will usually need to be replaced more often than LVP, about every 5 years or even sooner if subjected to heavy use.
LVP or Vinyl Plank Flooring can add beauty to a rental home at a relatively low cost.
With information from industry experts, you can more easily decide between vinyl plank flooring and carpet, or a mix of both for your rental investment. At Real Property Management Rental Solutions, we can help choose flooring for rental property. Our company can assist you plan your rental property flooring installation or replacement while ensuring that you achieve the maximum value possible for your investment. Contact us at 615-900-4067 for your free rental property evaluation or for more information about our property management services in Middle Tennessee! 
This is an example of carpet in a rental home that can easily be improved by carpet stretching and carpet cleaning.
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