Tips offered by Jeanette Joy Fisher, interior design psychology instructor
Today's flooring choices present abundant options to rehabbers and landlords. If you're considering new flooring for an investment house, here are some interior design psychology ideas based on the type of home and prospective tenant.
Low-End Rental House Flooring Ideas
As a landlord, of course you desire low-cost flooring that will stand abuse. Although I recommend painting walls in color, you want your flooring to offer a neutral base for tenants. Instead of opting for the absolute lowest cost vinyl for kitchens and bathrooms, consider better quality linoleum which will last longer and not cost that much extra.
Vinyl flooring is made of chlorinated petrochemical materials, while linoleum is made from linseed oil combined with wood flour or cork dust, ground limestone, and color pigments, over a burlap, jute, or canvas backing. Vinyl flooring will melt if someone accidentally drops a cigarette or a match on it, but linoleum won't. The pattern on vinyl flooring is imprinted onto the top surface of the material, but a linoleum pattern goes all the way through. That means that as a vinyl floor wears down, the pattern gradually disappears. However, the same amount of wear to linoleum only reveals new color, since the color goes all the way to the bottom.
Linoleum is also very durable and can last up to forty years, even in tough, high-traffic commercial situations. If you're an environmentalist, linoleum wins over vinyl, hands down. It's made of completely renewable natural materials, and no toxins are released into the environment during its manufacture. Point these non-toxin facts out to people looking for a new home.
To save money on carpeting, look for a carpet outlet that carries roll ends. We found a great carpet that normally sold for $38 per yard for only $14, installed. Roll ends may not match exactly with different dye lots, but if you use one peace in each room, tenants will be thrilled to have new carpeting in a low rent house and probably won't even notice the transition from room to room.
Another option, laminate flooring, which resembles wood flooring, cost more than carpeting and can cause headaches for landlords. We've had laminate floors ripple and spread apart, even after professional installation. This happens when the tenant spills liquids and doesn't clean it up effectively.
Your rental house will appear larger if you use the same flooring throughout. If you have an entry landing or entry hallway, using the same flooring from the connecting room will make the entire space flow and seem bigger. You need to consider the location and weather, however. You don't want tenants entering onto carpeting if they will have wet muddy shoes from rain or snow.
The happier your tenant feels in your home, the more care they give to your property. Select your flooring with a little extra care, and you should get a long term tenant giving your house the extra care that saves you time, money, and aggravation.
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Copyright © 2006 Jeanette J. Fisher