Vinyl Flooring Installation in Gratz Park Rental Apartment

We recently completed a vinyl flooring installation in a small rental unit located in the historic Gratz Park district of downtown Lexington, KY. This apartment is part of a converted 19th century home that has been divided into individual units. The property owner wanted to upgrade the flooring with something attractive, durable, and easy to maintain. Luxury vinyl plank was the perfect fit for this need. It provides the warm look of hardwood while offering much better resistance to scratches and moisture, making it ideal for a rental property. Our goal was to give the apartment a fresh and cohesive look that fits the classic Gratz Park aesthetic but holds up to modern use.

Customer Challenge

The apartment had a mix of flooring materials. The living room featured worn-out hardwood that had been patched and stained over time. The kitchen had old sheet vinyl that did not match the rest of the space. The bathroom had ceramic tile in decent condition, so we planned to leave that in place. The owner’s top priorities were durability, low maintenance, and a unified style. Hardwood was not ideal due to risk of damage and maintenance costs. Carpet was not an option due to staining concerns and frequent replacement.

The uneven and creaky subfloors common in older buildings added another layer of complexity. Since changes to trim and door heights were not allowed in the historic structure, the new flooring needed to fit seamlessly into the space with minimal disruption. The project also required some sound improvement to help with noise between units, which is common in multi-family historic buildings.

Our Solution

We selected a luxury vinyl plank with a medium oak finish and a slightly distressed texture. This gave the appearance of aged hardwood while offering resilience for rental use. The planks were chosen to look natural and blend well with the historic character of the apartment.

To prepare the space, we removed the existing quarter-round and undercut door casings just enough to allow the planks to slide beneath them. In the living room, the old hardwood was left in place and used as a stable base. The kitchen vinyl was removed, revealing a plywood underlayment that was left intact. We installed a thin underlayment pad across both surfaces to smooth out the small differences in height and help absorb sound.

The vinyl flooring was installed as a floating floor, running continuously from the living room into the kitchen. This approach reduced visual breaks and helped the unit feel more open. We laid the planks perpendicular to the floor joists to improve stability, especially over uneven areas. Where the floor dipped slightly, the flexible vinyl followed the contour without lifting or gapping.

At the bathroom threshold, we installed a matching T-molding to transition between the new vinyl and the existing tile. After the planks were in place, we reinstalled the quarter-round trim and painted it to match, giving the room a finished and seamless look.

Results

Vinyl plank flooring transformed this historic Gratz Park rental unit, offering a clean, cohesive upgrade while preserving the building’s original trim and layout.

The completed flooring gave the apartment a consistent, upgraded appearance. The oak-look planks instantly made the space feel warmer and more inviting. Most visitors would not know it is not real hardwood at first glance. The flooring complements the traditional details of the unit and offers practical benefits for rental use.

The owner is especially pleased with how low-maintenance the new floor is. Spills and messes are easy to clean, and the surface is scratch-resistant, making it ideal for tenants and pets. The slight texture adds grip underfoot and gives a more realistic wood feel.

Another benefit is that the new floor is noticeably quieter. The vinyl and underlayment reduced creaks and hollow spots, improving both the feel and the experience for the neighbor below. By floating the floor over problem areas, we avoided major repair work and still created a stable, long-lasting surface.

This vinyl flooring installation improved the overall value and appeal of the apartment. It respects the building’s character while adding modern functionality, making it a smart investment for the property owner.