We work with a number of landlords and property managers across the Savannah area, and laminate flooring comes up constantly as a budget-friendly option between tenants. Here's an honest look at where it fits — and where it doesn't.
Why landlords like laminate
- Lower material cost than hardwood, LVP, or engineered wood
- Consistent, presentable look that photographs well for rental listings
- Durable enough for normal tenant wear and tear when installed properly
- Faster turnaround between tenants compared to carpet, which often needs replacing every cycle
Material pricing. Final project cost depends on room size, subfloor condition, and installation.
Where laminate falls short for rentals
The biggest limitation is moisture. Standard laminate is not waterproof, which makes it a poor choice for kitchens, bathrooms, or any unit where you can't fully control how tenants handle spills and leaks. Water damage to laminate usually means full-plank replacement, not a simple repair.
When we recommend LVP instead
For kitchens, bathrooms, and any high-turnover rental where you want one flooring type throughout the whole unit, we often steer landlords toward luxury vinyl plank instead. It costs a bit more upfront but its waterproof, scratch-resistant core tends to outlast laminate across multiple tenant cycles — which usually makes it the better cost-per-year choice, even though the sticker price is higher.
Our recommendation for landlords
- Laminate: good fit for bedrooms and living areas in units where moisture risk is low
- LVP: better fit for whole-unit consistency, kitchens, bathrooms, and higher-turnover properties
- Either way: avoid carpet in units with frequent turnover — replacement costs add up fast between tenants
If you manage multiple units, we're happy to work out consistent pricing across properties and coordinate installs around tenant turnover schedules. Reach out and we'll walk through what makes sense for your specific properties.