Linoleum or Tile??

Question

I have a rental I'm fixing up a bit and I'm trying to decide between linoleum or tile for the bathroom. I don't think the renters will take care of it as it's in the bad side of town. So which is more durable? It is 9X10. What is easier to do on my own and which is more critical to be done properly. Prices?

Answer 1

TILE WILL COST MORE UP FRONT, BUT WILL PAY OFF AFTER THE FIRST RESIDENT. Sorry for yelling...Tile will last much longer...suggest the entry and kitchen as well..1 broken tile cheaper that whole vinyl floor.

Answer 2

Small tiles that come on a square mesh backing are not too difficult if you rent a tile saw, and that is virtually indestructible. Peel and stick tile will lift if you have drippy tenants so that might not be such a lasting idea, although it is cheap, if you plan on keeping the units for a while, the tile costs more at first, but won't buckle or bubble. If you just plan on keeping it for five years or less go with a decent grade lino tile not the best, but not the cheapest. Keep the extras for repairs when they move out. Neatness always counts.
You can use sealer on the tile and grout and that make it much easier to clean.

Answer 3

Vinyl tile, especially those that are 1/8 inch thick, are extremely durable and waterproof. The average vinyl tile commercial store floor may get one hundred to one thousand times more foot traffic per day than you would ever create in your house. When properly cared for, the vinyl tile floors in a typical residential home can be maintained to look as good as new for long periods of time. The tiles themselves are unaffected by water. The new adhesives that hold the tiles to concrete or wood underlayments are extremely water resistant.

Answer 4

The problem with tile is grout. Have you ever noticed the floors in tiled gas station restrooms or in fast food places? If tile is not kept clean as well as the grout, it gets really icky looking. Kind of slimy with nasty stained grout in between the tiles.

I would go with linoleum. Just make sure the edges are sealed down so that water can't go underneath it. Linoleum is also cheaper to replace than tile. It's also not as slippery when it's wet.

Answer 5

Get a roll out sheet of linoleum. One thing you have to consider is the bathroom floor wooden or concrete. Renters will tear the house up every time they move out. We had rental property and it was too much of a headache. We even had light fixtures torn out of the ceilings. We had one house that took a big blue dumpster to get all off the trash out. It was knee deep in pizza boxes and dirty diapers. Do it the cheapest way possible and understand you will have to redo it again after they move out. I know you don't want to be a scum lord but trashy renters will make you that way.

Answer 6

I would go with peel'n'stick tile... easy to apply one by one over a clean floor surface. If it's wood floor you want to cover then use a floor surface glue as well... if there's a linoleum or sheet floor down there now just stick over it. It will jazz it up a bit and should last a few years even with abuse.

Answer 7

i WOULD USE PEEL & STICK VINYL TILE & BUY SEVERAL EXTRA BOXES, AS YOU'LL HAVE TO PEEL UP BAD ONES WHEN THEY MOVE AND REPLACE THEM. tHIS IS EASIEST FOR YOU TO DO ON YOUR OWN! aND CHEAPEST PLUS IT WILL LOOK THE BEST !!! woops sorry 4 caps ! Also, even in the bad part of town get references from their former landlords you dont want to rent to someone who could keep you holding the bag (rentless for months while you spend $$$ getting them evicted !!!) Your county gov. should have a list of renters and a record on them -- many many cities do !!! Take the time and minor expense of buying a copy and keep it up to date !
Get references from their last 3 employers, bad employees make bad tenants !!! Find out if they have health insurance -- if they get sick medical expenses will be paid b4 rent !!! (aflak SP?) Check with the police to see if they have a criminal or domestic violence record -- you dont need that either !!!
If this is best answer pls vote for me. thank you & best of luck !!!

Answer 8

I would go with linonleum if it is cheaper. Tile is hard to maintain. The grout joints would get very dirty and the tile can get broken easily. I prefer tile but it is a lot of maintenance if you want to keep it up.

Answer 9

Tile
linoleum melts when bad renters drop cigarrettes onto it while they are putting on their makeup or doing other things in there

Get the 99 cents sq ft tile

Answer 10

Commercial VCT (like they use in hospitals and schools)-very durable-easy to install- economical- about 45 12x12 pieces per box, if you need extra pieces, you can buy them individually. Home Depot has a wide selection. Be sure to mop on several coats of sealant after installation, keeps minute particles of dirt from getting under them and lifting them