The Ultimate Guide to Flooring

The Ultimate Guide to Flooring

The Perfect Flooring: Durable, Stylish & Affordable


The Importance of Choosing the Right Flooring

Whether you’re a landlord or a homeowner, replacing your flooring can be both exciting and a little nerve-wracking 😅. What if I pick the wrong flooring? What if it looks cheap? What if it’s expensive but doesn’t hold up?

Your floors are one of the most important parts of your home — they’re literally the foundation under your feet, there with you all day long. They can hide messes, trap smells, or completely transform the feel of a space.

After decades of working with landlords and homeowners (and doing plenty of our own research 🛠️), we’ve gathered the facts and ranked the most popular flooring types — which led us to one clear winner: Luxury Vinyl Plank (LVP).


Popular Flooring Options 

We all know the classic flooring options — carpet, tile, laminate, and hardwood — and everyone has their own opinions about which one’s best. But when it comes to choosing flooring for a rental or a busy household, the pros and cons go way beyond looks.

It’s not just about what feels cozy or what matches your style — it’s about durability, affordability, and how well it holds up to real life. Think muddy shoes, pet paws, spills, tenants moving furniture, and everyday wear and tear. The right flooring can save you thousands in repairs (and headaches), while the wrong one… well, let’s just say you might be replacing it sooner than you think!

Carpet

✅ Soft, warm, affordable upfront.

❌ Wears quickly, traps stains and odors, not ideal for high-traffic areas or pet-friendly units.

 

Tile

✅ Durable, water-resistant, great for bathrooms/kitchens.

❌ Cold underfoot, more expensive installation, grout can discolor.

 

Laminate

✅ Budget-friendly, looks similar to hardwood.

❌ Susceptible to water damage, harder to repair.

 

Hardwood

✅ Timeless and high-end appeal.

❌ Costly and prone to scratches/damage in rental settings.


 LVP Spotlight (Luxury Vinyl Plank)

Why LVP: The best balance of price, performance, and style.

What is LVP?

     - A synthetic flooring designed to mimic real wood or stone.

     - Made of multiple layers: wear layer, image layer, core, and backing.

Why it’s perfect for rentals:

🧼 Durable & Low-Maintenance: Withstands heavy foot traffic, pets, and spills.

💧 Waterproof: Ideal for kitchens, bathrooms, and laundry areas.

💵 Cost-Effective: Offers high-end looks without the high-end price tag.

🔧 Easy to Install/Replace: Click-lock systems make repairs simple and quick.

🎨 Stylish Options: Comes in wood, tile, and stone looks to match any aesthetic.

 


Flooring Comparison

The first step in picking the perfect flooring is deciding what matters most to you. Are you looking for something tough enough to handle muddy paws and snack-time spills? Or maybe something stylish yet low-maintenance for your next tenant?

Comparing flooring options is key — not all floors are created equal! Some look beautiful but scratch easily, others last forever but can be pricey or high-maintenance. The right choice depends on your lifestyle (or your renters’), how much foot traffic your space gets, and how often you want to deal with repairs or replacements.

That’s why families and landlords alike often end up choosing LVP (Luxury Vinyl Plank) — it checks all the right boxes. It’s durable, affordable, waterproof, and stylish enough to fit almost any design. In other words, it’s the flooring that actually stands up to real life.

Flooring Type

Avg Cost (Installed)

Lifespan

Water Resistance

Ideal Use

Carpet

$2–$5

5–10 yrs

Low

Bedrooms

Tile

$6–$15

20+ yrs

High

Baths/Kitchens

Laminate

$3–$7

10–15 yrs

Medium

Living areas

LVP

$3–$6

15–25 yrs

High

Whole house

 


Time to Choose

At the end of the day, choosing the right flooring isn’t just about looks — it’s about finding something that fits your lifestyle, your budget, and your space. Whether you’re managing rental properties or making your house feel more like home, flooring plays a bigger role than most people realize.

While every option has its perks, LVP (Luxury Vinyl Plank) continues to stand out as the go-to choice for its unbeatable mix of durability, style, and value. It can handle kids, pets, tenants, and even those accidental spills — all while keeping your space looking fresh for years to come.✨

Ready to transform your floors? Contact RSSD today to schedule a free consultation and see why homeowners and landlords alike love LVP! From picking the perfect materials to expert installation, we’ll make the process smooth, simple, and stress-free.

 

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