Carpet vs. laminate flooring for rental property

Carpets and laminate flooring are popular for use in rented property, but the better choice for a particular property depends on a number of factors.

Time to replace

There is no shortage of rented property in the Chester, Wrexham and North Wales region, with many landlords providing quality properties for rent.

No matter what the type of floor covering there is in a rented property, no floor is permanent and there comes a time to replace it. A landlord can stick with the current floor type or change it.

When converting older property for rental use, the floor covering usually needs replacing. There are many choices of floor covering, including wood, LVT, and vinyl. The most popular floor coverings are carpets and laminate.

Durability

Generally, good quality laminate flooring is more durable than carpets, especially in multi-occupancy homes where many people use a room. A carpet will show wear and tear long before laminate looks worn.

However, unless carpet tiles are used, if a carpet is damaged, you cannot replace a section of it, so the whole carpet needs replacing. Planks can be replaced on damaged areas of laminate floors, on the other hand.

Durability is not the only consideration when choosing between carpets and laminates. A student house where many parties are held is often now the best place for a carpet, as it is likely to get damaged. A carpet in a property with one or two careful tenants will last a long time, as long as the tenants keep the carpet clean.

Look

Most laminates are made to look like different wood varieties. Carpets come in various colours and patterns to match the decor of the room.

Feel

Laminate is a hard floor covering whereas carpet varies from short pile harder ones to soft long pile wool carpets that feel warm and cosy. To make a laminate floor warmer, rugs can be added, either by the landlord or the tenants.

Maintenance

Laminate flooring is easy to clean and is stain resistant. Loose dirt can be vacuumed and a regular clean with a mop and laminate cleaning solution will keep the floor clean.

Carpets need regular vacuuming and a deep clean at least once a year, or between tenancies. Some carpets are stain-resistant.

Water resistance

The Chester, Wrexham and North Wales region has a large annual rainfall. Any area next to an outside door can expect to wet regularly from people coming in from heavy rain, so carpet may not be the best choice for these locations.

Laminate is water-resistant if fitted correctly. Special waterproof laminates are suitable for bathrooms and kitchens.

Which is best?

Laminate is cost-effective, and is easy to maintain, while carpeted rooms feel warmer and cosier and are better for bare feet. There is no best choice – both floor coverings are good, so it depends largely on circumstance and personal choice. Some landlords use both, favouring carpets in bedrooms and laminates in the rest of the property.

Although you can buy a cheap carpet that costs much less than laminate flooring, a quality stain-resistant carpet will last longer.