Hello everyone,
This year, it looks like we will be finishing an apartment to rent out, whether we want to, have to, or should.
The apartment partly came about through an extension, meaning the basic structure is in place, the bathroom is mostly finished and just needs a bit of refreshing. However, new flooring needs to be installed in two rooms. There is no underfloor heating.
Firstly, the bedroom needs a new floor. Currently, there is damaged strip parquet there. The newly built room – living room with an open kitchen – also needs a floor; at least there is already screed.
The requirements for the flooring: it must be durable. It shouldn’t be too expensive, as it still needs to be cost-effective. Based on experience, high-quality parquet isn’t worth it considering all the damage caused by tenants – water damage here, scratches there – so it’s better to choose a cheaper covering that can be replaced every 15 years.
For the bedroom, we are leaning towards laminate.
In the living room/kitchen area, I personally would install tiles in the kitchen section and vinyl in the living area. What do you think? Is vinyl also suitable for the kitchen area (meaning it can tolerate occasional puddles)? Is it still common to use two different types of flooring in one room? Alternatively, there could be wood-look tiles throughout the entire space. However, I’m concerned that tiles might feel too cold underfoot in the living area.
Lastly, there is the question of color and design. I like beech and birch. Do you as well? The apartment should appeal to a broad audience since apartments here are in demand anyway, and I don’t think it will take long to find a tenant.
Thanks for your help and suggestions 🙂
This year, it looks like we will be finishing an apartment to rent out, whether we want to, have to, or should.
The apartment partly came about through an extension, meaning the basic structure is in place, the bathroom is mostly finished and just needs a bit of refreshing. However, new flooring needs to be installed in two rooms. There is no underfloor heating.
Firstly, the bedroom needs a new floor. Currently, there is damaged strip parquet there. The newly built room – living room with an open kitchen – also needs a floor; at least there is already screed.
The requirements for the flooring: it must be durable. It shouldn’t be too expensive, as it still needs to be cost-effective. Based on experience, high-quality parquet isn’t worth it considering all the damage caused by tenants – water damage here, scratches there – so it’s better to choose a cheaper covering that can be replaced every 15 years.
For the bedroom, we are leaning towards laminate.
In the living room/kitchen area, I personally would install tiles in the kitchen section and vinyl in the living area. What do you think? Is vinyl also suitable for the kitchen area (meaning it can tolerate occasional puddles)? Is it still common to use two different types of flooring in one room? Alternatively, there could be wood-look tiles throughout the entire space. However, I’m concerned that tiles might feel too cold underfoot in the living area.
Lastly, there is the question of color and design. I like beech and birch. Do you as well? The apartment should appeal to a broad audience since apartments here are in demand anyway, and I don’t think it will take long to find a tenant.
Thanks for your help and suggestions 🙂
Do you have a rent index in your area? I would take a look there to see if a particular type of flooring might increase the rent. Otherwise, I wouldn’t mix too many materials (laminate, vinyl, and tiles). It’s better to choose something low-maintenance, suitable for the kitchen, but also looking good in the other rooms.
The rent index indicates that we will be around 8 euros excluding the fitted kitchen. The bathroom is original from 1968, but the tiles are very well maintained, undamaged, and in neutral, eye-pleasing tones. We will only install new ceramics, a new radiator, and a new shower door. I am confident that the apartment won’t be on the market for long – it’s located in a green, quiet area, yet only 1 meter (1 kilometer) from the town center, the commuter train (S-Bahn), and 1 meter (1 kilometer) from the highway (which is a 10-minute drive to Nuremberg). Additionally, the apartment has a good size: I haven’t measured yet but estimate roughly 65 square meters (700 square feet) to 70 square meters (750 square feet). It includes a bedroom with a dressing nook, a small office, a living room with an open kitchen including a fitted kitchen, and an adjacent dining area, plus a bathroom with both shower and bathtub.
Is vinyl also suitable for the kitchen? If yes, I would opt for vinyl. You are right, I don’t like mixing too many different floorings; the hallway, office, and dining room still have well-preserved parquet flooring with strip planks. Although I’m almost considering removing it to have a consistent floor covering in those areas as well.
How does laminate compare directly to vinyl? Does vinyl tolerate occasional water puddles that might not be wiped up immediately? Does vinyl darken over time, or is it theoretically possible to replace damaged sections after some time?
Is vinyl also suitable for the kitchen? If yes, I would opt for vinyl. You are right, I don’t like mixing too many different floorings; the hallway, office, and dining room still have well-preserved parquet flooring with strip planks. Although I’m almost considering removing it to have a consistent floor covering in those areas as well.
How does laminate compare directly to vinyl? Does vinyl tolerate occasional water puddles that might not be wiped up immediately? Does vinyl darken over time, or is it theoretically possible to replace damaged sections after some time?
Vinyl does not darken over time, handles water very well, and when installed as planks rather than sheets, it can also be repaired.
It is the ideal flooring for rental apartments and can be used in kitchens as well. Hagebau offers good quality products under their own Renovo brand at a reasonable price, though with a limited selection of designs. However, there are definitely some neutral options suitable for an apartment, such as rustic oak. Karsten
It is the ideal flooring for rental apartments and can be used in kitchens as well. Hagebau offers good quality products under their own Renovo brand at a reasonable price, though with a limited selection of designs. However, there are definitely some neutral options suitable for an apartment, such as rustic oak. Karsten
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