5 Innovative Building Materials for a Rental Property that are Low-Maintenance

Matt Lee • Sep 02, 2020


If you own a rental property, one of the best ways to raise its value is to remodel it with some innovative materials that don’t require a ton of maintenance. Thankfully, there are tons of options right now for property owners looking to remodel, so let’s take a look at some materials you might want to consider using for your next rental property remodeling project.




1. Steel Siding


Steel siding is one way to modernize the exterior of your rental property while also improving its durability. Unlike vinyl siding or wood siding which requires occasional maintenance, steel siding is incredibly durable and unlikely to ever need maintenance or repairs. 


One of the great things about steel siding for rental properties is the amount of stylistic diversity available. For example, there are even steel siding color options designed to look exactly like real log siding.



2. Quartz Countertops


Not only is quartz one of the most attractive materials out there for countertops, it’s also great for rental properties because of its incredible durability and low-maintenance requirements. 


Quartz isn’t porous, so it stands up well to spills and is hard to stain. It’s also not fragile like marble, meaning it won’t chip or crack. Quartz makes for great durable countertops because of its heat-resistance as well. 



3. Acrylic Solid Surfaces


Acrylic is another option for countertops and other surfaces if you want a less expensive alternative. Acrylic comes in many different colors and patterns and is also incredibly durable. It can also be installed without seams, making for much easier cleaning and lower maintenance requirements. 



4. High-Quality Door Trim


It’s not uncommon to see door trim coming loose and letting air and moisture in through the gaps between it and the siding. One way to eliminate this issue is by installing some higher-quality exterior door trim around the edges of your doors. By installing durable and high-quality lintels and pilasters around your doors, you can rest assured they will stay firmly in place for years to come. 



5. Wooden Floors


Replacing a carpeted living room with wooden floors is a great way to remove the need for vacuuming. Wood floors don’t trap dirt and are infinitely easier to keep clean than carpet. Premium hardwood floors are also very durable and shouldn’t require anything more than the occasional sweeping and mopping. 



Low-Maintenance Materials Can Raise the Value of Your Rental Property


Tenants looking to rent are generally looking for places without high maintenance requirements. By installing innovative materials like quartz or acrylic countertops, high-quality exterior door trim, steel siding, or wooden floors, you can drastically reduce the amount of maintenance required to keep your property clean. 


Materials that are durable and simple to clean are what you should focus on. Hard, non-porous materials and seamless designs will go a long way towards lessening the amount of effort it takes to keep your property clean. This will help you attract more potential renters and raise the value of your property as well.


Matt Lee is the owner of the Innovative Building Materials blog and a content writer for the building materials industry. He is focused on helping fellow homeowners, contractors, and architects discover materials and methods of construction that save money, improve energy efficiency, and increase property value.


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