We know that hardwood and softwood floors have differences both aesthetically and functionally. So which type would suit your rental property best? There really isn’t a simple answer to this question. It all depends on the purpose of the floor. This is why you should learn the important differences between hardwood and softwood flooring. When you understand them, you can be confident with whatever decision you make. You will know that you have the best type of floor for your rental properties in Winter Park.
We typically picture traditional oak planks when we talk about hardwood floors since that is what’s used for the vast majority of wood flooring. But there are other hardwood options besides oak. Hardwood comes from a classification of trees that are slow-growing with a complex structure. It is this complexity that makes traditional hardwoods so durable. Excluding oak, some of the popular types of hardwood used for floors include maple, birch, and beech, along with walnut and bamboo.
Softwood floors are still an attractive option for many property owners even though they aren’t as popular as hardwood floors. Considered “soft” in relation to its hardwood counterpart, the name of this flooring comes from the increased tendency of the wood to show dings and dents. The most widely-used types of softwood floors are made from pine and fir, but options like cedar, hemlock, and cypress are also available.
For some rental properties, choosing either hardwood or softwood floors depends on how you want to position your property on the market. For example, a traditional hardwood floor may attract certain types of renters or help make your rental home a lot like other homes of the same type. If your rental home is located in an upscale area, then it may benefit from the beauty and durability of a hardwood floor. For softwood flooring, it brings an appealing rustic charm to a property, which is a huge advantage in areas where tenants like that kind of aesthetic.
A hardwood or softwood floor also offers long-term benefits. Hardwood floors can help you avoid replacing carpet every five years while requiring minimal maintenance for it to stay in good condition. Softwood flooring is often less expensive, making it affordable for you to create a custom interior in your rental home for far less than you might expect.
Wood floors (of either variety) come with a few disadvantages as well. Hardwood can be very expensive. The cost of the wood is already high and you also need to include the cost of professional installation. These things add up and it becomes a significant investment. That investment may not always be recovered right away. In some cases, it takes years before the cost of the hardwood floor is earned back.
If hardwood floors aren’t a feature that is highly sought after in your area, you may not see much of an increase in either property value or rental income. Softwood, however, can be damaged quite easily, making this a poor choice for high-traffic areas like walkways and kitchen. Both hardwood and softwood floors are also susceptible to moisture damage, and may not work well in humid climates or flood zones.
Given both the pros and cons of installing hardwood or softwood floors, it’s not easy to figure out which flooring would be best for your rental home. But you can overcome this challenge with the right information. So, you need to have a thorough understanding of your target demographic, your local market, and your financial goals.
When you know who you want to rent to, how your property stands in comparison to others in your area, and how much you are willing to invest in upgrading the home, you can better decide on the flooring that is right for you. Feel free to contact us online or by phone at 321-972-6823. We’ll be glad to assist you with your Winter Park property management journey.
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