Three Reasons Flooring is Replaced in Multi-Family Housing

Hunter Horton
Interior Designer

While everyone knows that timely, tasteful building upgrades provide the type of living experience that quality renters expect, prioritizing these upgrades can be a challenge. Which upgrades are most urgent? Which will have the most impact? In my experience, one of the most noticeable (and appreciated) upgrades that building owners do is new flooring; it’s an improvement that tenants place a high value on. While creaking, deep ugly scratches, warping, or dirty, worn-out flooring can drive prospective renters away and lower the rent you’re able to charge, durable floor coverings that are comfortable and easy to maintain translate into long-term, happy tenants. Here are three things to consider when investing in new flooring that will ensure you’re getting the best bang for your buck and not replacing your flooring too often.

01 | Type of Material

In the design profession there is a common saying that certain products will “ugly out” before they truly wear out. This is often the case with carpet. Potential renters will typically be turned off by minor blemishes in carpet even though the carpet is — in every other regard — in good shape. Because appearances are important to renters, you might find yourself replacing your carpet prematurely, and you’d be better off using more durable floor coverings instead, such as luxury vinyl tile. For a quick rundown of some popular alternatives to carpet, see my other post: Three Durable Products for Commercial Interiors.

02 | Too Trendy or Not Period Appropriate

Sometimes the flooring in a building is either not period-appropriate or has no modern appeal (we’ve all seen it: the awful orange shag carpet). Flooring that was once trendy but now looks outdated and out of place can be a major turn off. So, when deciding what flooring to use in your building, here’s a general rule of thumb: think twice before jumping on the latest (probably short-lived) design trend, and if the overall building isn’t leaning into its historic roots, then the flooring and other finishes should not either. Period-appropriate flooring only works in conjunction with other period-appropriate finishes, and overly trendy flooring is often replaced because it quickly looks outdated, not because it’s truly worn out.

03 | Installation Issues

One of the most important reasons I see flooring being replaced is due to poor installation. This can happen when installers are rushing to meet a deadline or lack the proper skill. Flooring that is not installed correctly will fail and have a shorter lifespan. This can, of course, be very costly, especially in kitchens and bathrooms where liquids typically rest on the floor for long periods of time. Setting aside the time and money to sufficiently install flooring — and making sure those installing it are knowledgeable and confident — can save you boatloads of money down the road by ensuring that the flooring performs correctly.