Renting to students near college campus. We had a water leak from the hvac that has damaged wood laminate flooring across two areas of flooring. I'm looking for something durable, simple to install and inexpensive, not wood laminate, not carpet. Thinking maybe tile but that can be broken. Does anyone have experience with the new wood-look vinyl tile?

Linda,

Allure from Home Depot. No imitations.

Home Depot has Allure and Life proof is a click vinyl flooring.

Check out Lumber Liquidators has luxury click vinyl flooring.

Linda, since the water leak make sure to use a dehumidifier to pull the moisture out of the subfloor.

This is a very good reason to not use Laminate floor due to potential leaks from HVAC or hot water heater.

Home Depot has Allure and Life proof is a click vinyl flooring.

Check out Lumber Liquidators has luxury click vinyl flooring.

Linda, since the water leak make sure to use a dehumidifier to pull the moisture out of the subfloor.

This is a very good reason to not use Laminate floor due to potential leaks from HVAC or hot water heater.

Linda,

Would you mind giving more details about your HVAC water leak that created this damage to your laminate floors? How long did this water leak go un-noticed before the floor damage happened.

In one week, I will be installing 500 sq. feet of .59/sq. ft. oak laminate in 3 bedrooms. I am trying to figure out if I will ever have the same problems you are having?

I have installed wood look vinyl that was shaped like planks. It was easy to put down and looked great but like any vinyl it will scuff up so you have to have extra for later repairs. I have had great luck with self stick vinyl tiles of good quality. In wet areas like bathroom and kitchen I used extra glue. Again, keep a few boxes for later.

All of the fake wood will go out of favor as soon as more people have experiences like yours. You will have to make sure the wood underneath is flat and smooth because any ripple or nail head will show through vinyl.

Another faster thing would be commercial olefin carpeting. It is short pile and comes in some interesting textures. People can also put their own throw rugs over it as it is so low pile. That might be your best bet for a quick fix since it wouldn't require an underlayment that is smooth.

Recently I set VCT (vinyl composition tile) kitchen, bath, and storage closet floors. Think school cafeteria, hospital, etc. 12" square 1/8" thick, comes in a box of 45 tiles (45 sq. ft.) $30 - 40 per box so under $1/ sq. ft.

Requires spreading specific glue first that can be messy but other than that it was relatively easy. Easy to cut the tiles, easily manageable size tiles. Then 100 lb. roller.

Will need several coats of polish after install, and (yearly?) maint. of cleaning, (maybe) stripping, and reapplying polish.

#22 (MO)

"I'm looking for something durable, simple to install and inexpensive, not wood laminate, not carpet. Thinking maybe tile but that can be broken."

OK, it sounds like you're not going to go for tile because you want inexpensive, but if you do, I suggest going all the way and do porcelain, with a good grout sealer.

It's the cheaper red chip ceramic tile that usually gets broken -- I had a tenant break that when she was moving out her heavy stereo electronic equipment. But I haven't had any issues with porcelain so far.

Regarding the leak, the HVAC was leaking due to a clog in the valve according to my handyman. Just a similar clean out no a huge bill.

I questioned one of the student who admitted he didn't call me the same day but the next day. Initially, we both saw water near the kitchen so I thought of the dishwasher but was able to trace it back to the utility closet where the HVAC unit was sitting next to the HWH. Funny the area between these two areas is dark and the water was not obvious.