What kind of flooring should I choose for a rental apartment? – Should I choose SPC or laminate flooring in 2026?

What kind of flooring is best for an apartment?

Many people are looking for the best flooring for a rental apartment or condo. In general, SPC flooring is the more durable and safer choice because it can withstand moisture, more frequent mopping, and more use. Laminate flooring can be a more affordable option, but it is mainly recommended for dry rooms and with careful use.

Short answer

If you want a quick decision, this is usually the best starting point:

• SPC flooring : when durability and water resistance are the most important
• Laminate flooring : when lower cost is the main consideration
• For rental apartments : in most cases , SPC flooring is preferred
• For dry rooms : laminate flooring can also be a suitable choice
• Compromise: waterproof laminate flooring can avoid the hassle of mopping

Why is it important to choose well when renting an apartment?

The flooring in rental apartments is usually subjected to greater stress than in a home. Furniture is moved more frequently, cleaning is done regularly, and in many cases, the method of mopping is not ideal for traditional laminate flooring.

In Budapest, especially in Zugló, we encountered a similar problem in several of our projects, where the laminate flooring installed in a rental apartment became wet, bulged over time, or needed to be replaced prematurely.

SPC or laminate flooring for a rental apartment – ​​which is better?

SPC flooring is usually the better choice for apartments rented out to subtenants because it can withstand daily use, moisture, and more frequent mopping. Laminate flooring is more affordable, but is more sensitive to water and improper use.

SPC vs laminate in brief

• water resistance: SPC flooring
• cheaper price: laminate flooring
• durability: SPC flooring
• dry living room or bedroom: laminate flooring can also be good
• apartment for rent, heavy use: SPC flooring recommended

When is SPC flooring a better choice?

SPC flooring can be a particularly good choice for a rental property if:

• frequent mopping
• greater daily usage
• Longer lifespan is important
• the covering will be placed in the hallway, kitchen or dining room
• the owner wants fewer later problems

One of the biggest advantages of SPC flooring is that it is not wood-based , so it is much less sensitive to moisture. This is especially important in rental apartments, because more frequent and often too wet cleaning is one of the biggest enemies of traditional laminate flooring.

When is laminate flooring enough?

Laminate flooring can still be a good choice if:

• keeping costs low is the main consideration
• placed in a dry room
• the apartment does not receive extreme use
• the owner is looking for a solution with a favorable price-performance ratio
• compromises with waterproof laminate flooring

A good quality laminate floor, preferably with higher wear resistance or water resistance, can be a good compromise in many cases. However, in a rented apartment, it is always worth considering that use is less controllable than in your own home.

Which one is better in terms of price?

At first glance, laminate flooring generally seems like a more affordable solution, but in the case of rented apartments, it's not just the initial cost that's worth looking at.

General construction prices in Budapest

• laminate flooring installation: 3,000–4,500 HUF/m²
• SPC flooring installation: 3,300–4,700 HUF/m²