When it comes to short term rental properties, there are a lot of things to take into consideration. While companies like VRBO and Airbnb make it easier to rent out properties, there’s still a lot of work in preparing the space your guests will stay in, and there’s always the possibility of having to deal with unruly guests. Also, if you want to have more highly rated guests staying at your place, you need to ensure that the space is clean and well-stocked.
As a company with over 50 locations across Canada, we see a lot of different types of home renovators. Someone renovating for their own personal use may want things to be a little more upscale, while those renovating for rentals may want things to be as durable as possible. You’ll need to balance out what your needs are in order to find the products that will work perfectly for you.
As you start to get the rental ready, be sure to take into consideration all the factors, including where the rental is located, if it’s in the countryside or major city, what the weather is like (rainy Vancouver vs sunny Saskatoon), how many people can stay, if there will be infants or children, and if pets are allowed. Also consider how the different spaces will be used. We know that cost will always be a factor, but in a rental with a lot of different types of guests and foot traffic, the flooring with the lowest price tag could end up costing the most if it can’t withstand the wear and tear.
Short term renters also often won't treat the place like their own home and aren't conscious of removing shoes and keeping the place clean. You’ll want flooring that is low maintenance and easy to clean that can keep up with the foot traffic, so here’s a few options to consider:
LVP or LVT
First on our list of recommendations would be Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP) or Luxury Vinyl Tile (LVT). While this type of flooring is generally very durable, no flooring is bulletproof. And in a rental, this type of flooring is easy to repair. With a loose lay luxury vinyl, you can just pop out the sections you want to fix. Luxury vinyl is also easy to install and can be applied to almost any flat surface, making this an easy DIY project. Possibly one of the best features of LVP is its resistance to water, making it a great fit for any room. Additionally, it comes in so many different styles and with advancements in technology often looks like real wood.
Hardwood
Okay, hear us out. We realize hardwood is one of the most expensive types of flooring out there, and it’s generally not great for scratches, but since it can be refinished multiple times, it can keep your flooring looking new for longer. By having this flooring option in your home, it tends to increase the property value as it's considered a high end finishing as well, so it’s a great option if you’re ever looking to resell.
Tile
Tile may not be suitable for every room (like living rooms and bedrooms where you generally want something softer under foot), but it’s great for bathrooms and kitchens where spills are guaranteed to happen and where foot traffic may be at its highest. Easy to replace and tough, it can hold up to a lot of wear and tear.
Vinyl
Non-porous, vinyl is another great option for kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry rooms, but it can also work well in any room in the home and is especially great for common areas. It’s easy to maintain and clean, making it a plus for your wallet.
Area Rugs
All the options we gave involve hard flooring because carpet, while nice in many settings, can trap more dust and dirt and over long term use does stain, rip, smell, and fray. However, to soften and add some visual interest to a room, we do suggest adding some area rugs around the house. They’re fairly easy to clean and far easier to replace than a carpet. Plus they can protect the floor from furniture that might be moved by renters.
We’re throwing a lot at you, but if you’re looking at flooring for a short term rental, visit your closest End Of The Roll Flooring Centre and speak with one of our expert flooring advisors to find out what will work best for your situation, and location. We’re here to help.
What Size Rug Do I Need?
You’ve been looking around at area rug options and you have an idea of the colour and pattern you’d like, but how do you figure out the placement and size?
Durable Flooring Options for High Traffic Areas
It’s that time of the year where we have guests coming in and out of the home, kids running through the doors covered in wet snow and pets leaving muddy prints behind. Even if you live alone, it’s important to know which flooring options are available for areas that have higher foot traffic.