The Pros and Cons of Carpet Tiles for Property Managers
In addition to being comfortable to walk on, carpet is a great way to add warmth, tone, and texture to any room. Whether you manage a residential or commercial space, it could be a wonderful addition to your property.
The traditional way to fit and lay carpet is called “broadloom carpeting.” This process requires measuring and cutting large sheets of carpet into the dimensions needed for any given room. That’s not necessary anymore due to an innovation that has skyrocketed in popularity since its invention – the carpet tile.
What are Carpet Tiles?
Carpet tiles (commonly called “carpet squares”) are simply small pieces of carpet that can be placed side by side to cover a room. Typically, they’re created in layers that range in materials, including polyester, nylon, cotton, polypropylene, and recycled material.
They were created to make DIY and self-serve carpet installation affordable and straightforward. They’re built to last, come in a wide variety of colors, patterns, and fabrics, and are a wonderful option for someone who wants to carpet a room on a budget.
The Pros and Cons of Carpet Tiles for Rental Properties
If you’re considering having carpet tiles installed in your property, you should know what you’re facing. There are many advantages to choosing carpet tiles, but they aren’t right for every space.
Let’s take a look at the pros and cons of using carpet tiles in your rental property:
Pros
Cost-Effective
Carpet tiles are incredibly affordable. They’re easy to transport, low on waste, and don’t take up a lot of space. The installation costs are also much cheaper than wall-to-wall carpeting projects because they require less time and effort. Saving time and money is a significant advantage.
Easy to Install
Installing carpet tiles is simple and easy. That’s why they were created in the first place. Whether you hire a professional contractor or decide to do it yourself, carpet tile installation takes far less time than almost any other flooring option.
Easy to Maintain and Clean
Carpet tiles are incredibly low maintenance. They’re typically “low pile,” which means the fabrics are short and closer to the ground. That’s a wonderful advantage because it means they pick up less dirt. Simply run a vacuum over them during your regular cleaning routine, and you’re good to go.
If something devastating happens and a carpet tile is damaged or otherwise ruined, don’t worry! Thanks to the convenience of a carpet tile, you can just replace the individual square. There’s no need to recarpet an entire room for one trouble spot. This is particularly helpful when you’re dealing with rental properties.
Versatile
Carpet tiles can be installed anywhere. They can fit in any room, no matter the size, and since they come in a variety of colors, fabrics, and styles, they can match any interior design theme. As a result, they are an incredibly versatile option for any property.
Cons
Grid-like Appearance
When not installed properly, carpet tiles may not fit together uniformly. The patterns may shift from square to square. They may look just slightly different. As a result, you get a grid-like appearance. However, this disadvantage is only applicable if the tiles aren’t installed correctly.
Professional Installation is Recommended
Just because anyone can do it, that doesn’t mean they should. Though installation is simple and straightforward, we still advise that you hire a professional installer. Here’s why: they know what they’re doing.
Someone who’s never installed carpet tiles won’t know the tricks of the trade and might miss crucial steps required to install them properly. Things like acclimatization and adhesive bonding are important parts of carpet tile installation that an amateur might not know or understand.
Sometimes, it’s best to leave the technical stuff to the professionals. If you planned on doing it yourself, then hiring a professional might be outside of your budget.
Less-Than-Luxury Perception
Unfortunately, many people have a negative perception of carpet tiles. They believe them to be less luxurious and less comfortable to walk on than traditional carpets. Manufacturers have risen to meet that challenge, creating higher quality carpet tiles with increased comfort and sophistication.
Are Carpet Tiles the Right Choice for Your Property?
Ultimately, it’s up to you. Are you looking for an affordable option that takes less time to install? Have you seen or felt any carpet tile samples? If so, what did you think?
Only you can answer these questions. It’s imperative to do your research and make the decision that makes the most sense for your property and budget.
The Best Place to Shop for New Carpet Tiles
If you decide to use carpet tiles for your rental property, you should partner with BuildDirect. We make the highest quality and most luxurious carpet tiles on the market, that are available in various colors and styles. Become a PRO Rewards member and get exclusive access to on-site delivery, 5% credit, unlimited free samples, and more. Become a PRO today.