

821,526
Like many have said it depends on the area. Here, tile would be the most common. I think it would also be the most durable with the least maintenance over any wood type or carpet.
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Juli Vosmik
Scottsdale, AZ
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Shanna Hall
Kirkwood, MO
1,713,581
Shanna, there is a new ariticial wood in 4 inch plank that is hard to detect that it isn't wood laminate. It is not floating like the Pergo type product and easy to repair. Some are hand scrapped and looks even better. Not much more than carpet in price.
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Shanna Hall
Kirkwood, MO
192,791
Good question Shanna Hall.. I think from a Landlord's perspective, the ceramic tile would be best. That way, it can be cleaned easier, wards off some pet odors / accidents, and the tenants can always use a couple nice throw rugs to "warm up" the feeling of the place. Also, it *might* survive more than one tenant's stay. In my experience, carpet usually ends up stained / stinky / needing replacement. Wood laminate might work too, but I've seen water damage / urine stains from pets, that has warped wood laminate.. Yuck. Just a thought!
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Shanna Hall
Kirkwood, MO
5,383,877
I think that depends on the price/value of the condo, but if it's low rent for the area, I'd minimize my investment. Carpets probably need to be replaced much more quickly with changes in tenants.
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Shanna Hall
Kirkwood, MO
964,069
Shanna, the ceramic tile would probably wear best and especially if you had a good contractor who would do it at a reasonable rate.
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Shanna Hall
Kirkwood, MO
2,820,193
Everything depends on where in country/what's norm, price of area and type of subfloor.
Most people prefer hard surface - makes it appealing to more customers (including those w/ allergies or asthma...or those that think they do...just needs to be one member of the family. Hard surface will cost more initially, but save more in the long term, esp as you go through tenants. If you do carpet and rent it out each year, I would expect to replace the carpet each year.
If you have concrete subfloor, (and assuming it's fairly level), for your purposes of rental and not a high rental area, I would do laminate. Don't do anything from Lumber Liquidators (or even HD or Lowes)...or said another way, don't do the cheapest one...go up 1 or 2 levels. (but, not a cadillac laminate). Do one that is 8 mm as it will hold up better than 7mm. (spend a teeny bit more to have it last longer as well as look better). Installation cost is the same.
Don't do a shiny finish; do a satin finish as it will look better and look better longer. Get an extra box or two in case you need to repair. Do light color that looks like oak - most appealing to most people that like laminate and makes the space look larger.
If you have plywood subfloor, consider doing solid oak flooring. It will cost more than laminate but last longer. Laminate might last you 15 yrs vs oak will last 100+ yrs. (If you have concrete, don't bother w/ any type of hardwood for a rental...solid will cost too much w/ adding plywood subfloor and engineered wood will scratch and you'll need to replace just like laminate, but you would have spent more.
To save on hardwood costs (for a rental), do a lower grade of oak (e. do No 1 rahter than select grade). Do natural - will cost less and hold up better.
DON'T DO BAMBOO. It will not hold up.
I can't imagine doing tile here and I'm guessing your area is somewhat similar to mine...different if you live in Florida or Arizona or even Cali.
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Shanna Hall
Kirkwood, MO
3,986,529
There is a newer tile that is not ceramic but some kind of a composite. I will be using it in a new rental because if there is a bad tile in the future I can replace just the one or two tiles and not the entire floor.
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Shanna Hall
Kirkwood, MO
1,677,946
1,758,537
433,012
Debbie Gartner I am curious to hear your thoughts;) I would like long term cost effectiveness;) You are my flooring idol;)
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Shanna Hall
Kirkwood, MO
8,231,380
Wall to wall carpet is the floor covering most often used for condo rentals in our area.
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Shanna Hall
Kirkwood, MO
4,322,295
630,351