What is the best carpet for a rental property?

Carpet is one of the most commonly used floorings in rental properties, and for good reason. Not only is carpet affordable, but there are a wide range of options to choose from.

Even better, carpet is soft, warm, and welcoming, instantly making your property more appealing to potential tenants. And thanks to its padding and fibers, carpet absorbs ten times more sound than any other flooring.

Carpet is an excellent flooring choice for almost any room in your rental property. Yet finding the right one to install can be quite a difficult task.

From wool and nylon to polyester and polypropylene - there are many kinds of carpets on the market. 

When choosing a carpet for your investment property, you want it to look attractive to potential renters, but at the same time, it needs to stand its fair share of wear and tear. Replacing carpets in your rental property is costly and can eat into your investment profits.

But don’t worry. This blog will help you find the right carpet for your rental property by sharing helpful tips and important factors to consider.

Let’s dive in!

Things to consider when carpeting a rental property

Think about durability 

Durable carpets are an excellent option for rental properties as they don’t need to be replaced often and, with proper care, can last for 10-15 years.

In particular, if your property is family and pet-friendly, then durability in the carpets you install should be a priority. Let’s take a look at the durability of popular carpet materials: 

  • Nylon: Carpets made of nylon are arguably the most durable on the market because their fibers generally hold their shape and are flexible enough to withstand different types of traffic.
  • Polypropylene (Olefin): After nylon, polypropylene is the most durable carpet fiber and can quickly bounce back from wear and tear.
  • Wool: Wool carpets are one of the hardest-wearing types of carpets available. They can keep their shape through years of foot traffic and heavy furniture. However, wool carpets are definitely an investment as they come with a much higher price tag.
  • Polyester: polyester carpets are generally the weakest in terms of durability but have other advantages - particularly their stain resistance.
  • Triexta: Relatively new to the market, triexta has been growing in popularity fast. This carpeting doesn’t fade as quickly as other types, making it ideal for high-traffic areas such as the hallway or living room.

Choose a stain-resistant carpet.

How resistant your carpet is to staining depends on what fibers make up the carpet itself.

Renters tend to be less careful with carpets in a rental property than in a home they own. This can include not treating spills, stains, and accidents quickly. A stain-resistant carpet can save you lots of money in cleaning expenses or replacing the carpet.

  • Polyester: Polyester takes the lead when it comes to stain resistance. It is a hydrophobic fiber, meaning the material repels liquid.
  • Nylon: Nylon isn’t necessarily stain-resistant by itself, but it readily accepts treatments that make it stain-resistant. Once treated, nylon carpets are among the best stain-resistant carpets.
  • Wool: wool carpet fibers are naturally stain-resistant, so they don’t need to be coated with chemicals to prevent staining. As wool is expensive, if you’re on a budget, you might consider only using it in areas with a likelihood of spillage. 
  • Polypropylene: carpets are widely regarded as budget products because they have a waxy feel. However, that waxiness makes polypropylene carpets highly resistant to stains.
  • Triexta: Made of up to 37% corn glucose, Triexta carpets are low maintenance and easy to care for. It’s recommended that triexta carpet is vacuumed every day or as often as possible. A deep clean is recommended at least every six months.

Stick to neutral colors 

When decorating a rental property, we recommend sticking to neutral shades of carpet.

A pale gray, beige, or cream ivory usually works best. Aim for continuity in the color if you are installing carpet throughout the property.

A neutral carpet color will complement almost all decor and furnishings. Having a carpet that suits only one color scheme and clashes with everything else is never a good idea. 

Remember, carpet isn’t like walls that can be easily painted over - replacing it is a big job. This is why choosing a color that will stand the test of time and appeal to everyone is essential.

Consider rental carpet maintenance requirements

All carpets require regular cleaning and maintenance, but some styles and colors require more than others. 

Before deciding, determine the maintenance requirements for each type of carpet you’re considering.

  • Wool: Wool carpet is very easy to clean and care for. It’s naturally stain resistant, meaning most stains can be easily removed using water and an approved spot-cleaning spray on a need-to basis. Wool carpets need to be deep cleaned once a year. They should be vacuumed at least once a week and more often in high-traffic areas
  • Nylon: Thanks to its strong strain treatment, nylon carpets are easy to clean and care for. Basic cleaning requires regular vacuuming and treating spot stains individually. Your nylon carpet will also need to be deep cleaned at least once a year. 
  • Polyester: Polyester fibers are resistant to water-soluble stains, which makes them easy to clean. These carpets require regular vacuuming, quick spot or stain removal, and annual deep cleaning.
  • Polypropylene: Like many other popular carpet materials, polypropylene is easy to clean. In particular, polypropylene resists mildew and moisture very well. To upkeep the appearance of polypropylene carpet, it must be vacuumed at least twice a week.
  • Triexta: Triexta is a new, low-maintenance fabric that is easy to clean by vacuuming, steam cleaning, and spot cleaning. Treixta carpets need to be professionally cleaned at least once every six months.

Don’t forget about carpet padding

People often overlook carpet padding when installing new carpets in their properties. Carpet padding is a cushioned layer you add underneath your carpet.

It’s important as it will help your carpet last longer by preventing t’s underlayer from wearing against the base floor. It also helps with the impact of heavy furniture and foot traffic.

Without a cushion, your carpet will end up frayed and worn (on both sides). This means you’ll need to replace it much sooner.

Get your carpet at Del Mar Carpet One!

If you’d like more help selecting the perfect carpet for your rental property, then our expert team in the San Luis Valley would love to help you. 

At Del Mar Carpet One, we’re proud to supply a wide range of carpeting, including nylon, polyester, triexta, polypropylene (Olefin), and more.

Contact us now or visit us in-store to get started.

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