Carpets, with their intricate patterns, brilliant colours, and vibrant textures, are among the most beautiful and unique forms of flooring. They help infuse a sense of style, history, and culture into space, but most importantly, they bring comfort to guests and inhabitants alike. And if you own a rental property, carpets assist you in creating a clean, pleasant, and stylish ambiance that is sure to please your occupants. However, when it comes to selecting the right type of carpet for your rental property, you might be in for a few curveballs. There are so many types of carpet to choose from that it can be difficult to determine which will suit your rental property best. From more traditional styles to geometric patterns and muted colours, the options are limitless. To assist you in your endless pursuit to create a perfect living space for your tenants, we've compiled a list of the most popular types of carpets that are recommended for rental properties.
Carpets go a long way in adding character and personality to your rental property, making it more unique and tailored to the tenants’ needs. Capable of fluidly enhancing the ambiance with intricate patterns and bold colours, as well as drastically improving the overall comfort of your rental property, carpets are an invaluable addition to your property. However, it is essential to remember that regardless of how beautiful a piece of carpet is, its longevity is the most important aspect to consider. After all, carpets are not a cheap investment, and you want to make sure that every penny spent brings a solid return.
Carpet is a great way to help maintain the cleanliness of your rental unit, as well as help establish a positive brand image for the property. And though carpet can be an inexpensive way to nourish the look and feel of your rental property it is still a financial investment and you want to get the most for your dollars. So, when planning on purchasing carpets for your rental property, take the time to consider the following five factors:
The fiber material used to make the carpet will greatly influence its durability and overall quality. Carpets come in natural fibers, synthetic fibers, or a combination of both. Understanding what each fiber type provides will help you select a carpet that best fits your rental property.
Organic & Natural Fibers: These carpets are characterized by their soft, delicate texture and are made from fibers that are extracted from plant sources, such as cotton, jute, wool, and coir. These also include blends that include organic fibers along with natural and synthetic fibers for added durability. However, due to the overall delicate nature of organic fibers, these carpets are more likely to be damaged by heavier foot traffic and are not suitable for areas with high traffic, certainly not for rental property.
Synthetic Fibers: Synthetic fibers are known for their enhanced durability, greater stain and abrasion resistance, and superior resistance to fading and damage from heat. This type of fiber includes nylon, polyester, olefin, or a blend of several different synthetic fibers. And with countless colours and styles to choose from, synthetic fibers are ideal for any type of rental property.
Once you have decided on the type of fiber material that best fits your rental property, you will need to determine the colour that will best complement the space. When it comes to colour there are no right or wrong choices, but you will want to make sure that the carpet colour is in keeping with the style and overall feel of the rental property. If your rental property is a high-end condo, you might want to consider a carpet with a lighter colour and higher sheen, while a rental property intended for average tenants may have a more muted colour and lower sheen. Also, if your rental property is in a location with very sunny days, you may want to consider a carpet with a darker colour. This should help craft the needed mood and feeling for the rental property.
The density and height of the fiber used to make the carpet is another factor to consider when purchasing carpets for your rental property. The density of the fiber used will help you determine how soft and pliable the carpet will be, and if it will resist wear and tear. Carpets made with higher density fibers are more expensive, but they have a more plush feel, are less resilient, and depending on the quality may withstand heavy traffic. On the other hand, carpets made with lower density fibers are less expensive and are great for both residential and commercial use.
So now that you have selected the colour and type of fiber material for your carpet, you will need to decide on what type of backing is right for your property. Carpets usually come with a 100% tufted, cut pile, or woven type of backing. If you decide to go with a tufted carpet, then you will want to look for a heavy-duty backing to give the carpet the extra durability and support it needs. A cut pile carpet may need a less heavy-duty backing as it is not as prone to wear and tear. Cut pile carpets are generally recommended for areas with high traffic.
Carpet seams are the areas where the individual carpet strips are joined together. These seams can be very important as they will be exposed to both normal and everyday wear and tear. And the seams are usually a good indicator of the overall quality of the carpet. The longer the pile of the carpet, the less visible the seams. So, if you have chosen a high-quality carpet, there will be fewer exposed seams. On the other hand, if you have chosen a low-quality carpet, it is very likely that there will be more visible seams which may increase the risk of damage.
Carpets made of polyethylene terephthalate polyester (PET) are among the most widely used types of carpet for rental properties. Strong, lightweight, and durable, PET carpets can withstand the wear and tear of rental property tenants. Additionally, it has a good adhesive backing to prevent the seams from popping and is resistant to stains. While PET carpets are susceptible to scuffing, the damage is not permanent and can be easily repaired. However, these carpets do have a colourfast nature and remain vibrant over time. Additionally, they require the least maintenance compared to other types of carpets and are therefore considered the most attractive for rental properties.
Carpets are one of the most beautiful and versatile types of flooring. And while they are a great investment, you will want to make sure that you are investing your money in a material that will provide a solid return on your investment. To ensure that you are doing just that, consider the factors we discussed above and enrich your rental property with the perfect carpet.
