Riverside Vinyl Plank Flooring Reviews: The Hidden Truth Before You Buy
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Choosing the right vinyl plank flooring can feel overwhelming. With countless brands making bold claims, it’s difficult to know which one offers genuine value and which might lead to costly regrets.
Riverside vinyl plank flooring has emerged as a popular contender, often praised for its attractive styles and budget-friendly price point. But the core problem for homeowners is cutting through the marketing noise to understand how it truly performs in a real-world home environment.
This comprehensive review digs deep into Riverside’s offerings. We’ll explore the good, the bad, and the technical specifications you need to know to determine if this is the right investment for your space or a potential flooring failure waiting to happen.
You'll Learn About
What Exactly is Riverside Vinyl Plank Flooring?
Riverside is a brand of luxury vinyl plank (LVP) flooring known for its wide array of wood-look designs that cater to both contemporary and rustic aesthetics. Often found under the umbrella of LW Flooring, it primarily targets the residential market, offering a visually appealing product at a competitive price. Most Riverside collections are built on a rigid core, typically an SPC (Stone Plastic Composite) core, which provides enhanced stability and dent resistance compared to older, more flexible vinyl products.
Key advertised features often include a 100% waterproof construction, a durable wear layer for protection, and an easy-to-install click-lock system. These attributes make it an attractive option for homeowners looking to upgrade spaces like kitchens, basements, and bathrooms without the complexities of traditional hardwood.
The Good, The Bad, and The Honest Truth: What Users Are Saying
To get a clear picture of Riverside’s performance, it’s essential to look past the product descriptions and into authentic customer experiences. After analyzing countless discussions and reviews, a distinct pattern of pros and cons emerges.
The Bright Side: What Homeowners Genuinely Love
Many users are initially drawn to Riverside for its impressive aesthetics. The brand excels at creating planks with realistic wood grain textures and a variety of modern colors, from light, airy oaks to rich, warm hickories. Homeowners frequently praise the flooring for its ability to transform a room’s appearance, often stating it looks much more expensive than it is.
Another significant advantage is the ease of installation. The click-lock system is generally considered straightforward, making it a viable project for seasoned DIYers. Several reviewers have noted that they were able to complete entire rooms in a single weekend with minimal tools required. The attached underlayment on many of their products further simplifies the process, eliminating the need for a separate underlayment purchase and installation step.
The Downside: Common Complaints and Pain Points
Despite the positives, some significant concerns appear consistently in user feedback. The most prominent issue revolves around durability and scratch resistance. Several homeowners have expressed disappointment with how easily the flooring can scratch from everyday activities, such as moving furniture (even with felt pads) or from pets’ claws.
Another area of concern is quality control. Some customers have reported receiving boxes with damaged planks or noticeable color variations between different batches. This inconsistency requires careful inspection of every plank before installation, which can be a time-consuming and frustrating process. If not caught early, these defects can compromise the final look and integrity of the floor.
A Deeper Dive: Deconstructing Riverside’s Technical Specs
To truly understand if Riverside flooring is right for you, we need to look at its construction. A floor’s longevity and performance are determined by more than just its appearance; the core, wear layer, and overall thickness are what truly matter.
The Core of the Matter: Understanding SPC
Most Riverside products feature a Stone Plastic Composite (SPC) core. This is a critical feature that provides significant advantages. The core is made from a mixture of natural limestone powder, polyvinyl chloride, and stabilizers, creating a dense and rigid plank.
This rigidity is what makes SPC flooring so stable. It is less susceptible to expansion and contraction with temperature changes, and it offers superior resistance to dents from heavy furniture or dropped objects. This core construction is a major reason why Riverside can be installed in a variety of rooms and over different types of subfloors.
Wear Layer Wisdom: Is It Thick Enough for Your Home?
The wear layer is the transparent top coating that protects the printed design from scratches, stains, and scuffs. Its thickness is measured in mils (one-thousandth of an inch), and it is arguably the single most important factor for determining a floor’s durability.
Riverside flooring collections come with varying wear layer thicknesses, commonly ranging from 12 mil to 20 mil. A 12 mil wear layer is generally suitable for low to moderate-traffic residential areas. However, for households with pets, children, or high foot traffic, a 20 mil wear layer is strongly recommended as it provides substantially more protection and longevity.
The Underlayment Question: Is the Attached Pad Sufficient?
Many Riverside planks come with a pre-attached underlayment pad, often made of materials like cork or IXPE foam. This feature offers added convenience by reducing installation time and providing some sound absorption and cushioning underfoot.
However, an attached pad doesn’t eliminate the need for a perfectly flat subfloor. Minor imperfections in the subfloor can still translate through the planks over time, potentially leading to a bouncy vinyl plank flooring sensation or uneven wear. For the best results, ensuring the subfloor is clean, flat, and level is paramount.
Riverside vs. The Competition: A Head-to-Head Showdown
To provide better context, it’s helpful to see how Riverside stacks up against other popular brands in the same market category, such as LifeProof from Home Depot and COREtec, a well-regarded industry leader.
| Feature | Riverside (LW Flooring) | LifeProof (Home Depot) | COREtec |
|---|---|---|---|
| Average Price/Sq. Ft. | $2.50 – $4.00 | $2.50 – $4.50 | $5.00 – $8.00 |
| Core Type | SPC (Stone Plastic Composite) | SPC with ISOCORE Technology | WPC (Wood Plastic Composite) or SPC |
| Wear Layer Range | 12 mil – 20 mil | 6 mil – 22 mil | 20 mil – 30 mil |
| Typical Warranty | Lifetime Limited Residential | Lifetime Limited Residential | Lifetime Limited Residential |
| Key Selling Point | Excellent visual appeal for the price | Great value and accessibility | Premium durability and brand reputation |
Installation Essentials: How to Avoid a Flooring Disaster
A successful flooring project is as much about proper installation as it is about the quality of the product. Even the most expensive LVP can fail if not installed correctly. Following best practices is non-negotiable for a floor that lasts.
Subfloor Prep: The Unskippable First Step
The foundation of your new floor is the subfloor, and it must be prepared meticulously. It needs to be structurally sound, clean, and, most importantly, flat. Any significant dips or high spots will stress the locking mechanisms of the planks, leading to gaps or breakage over time.
Before you begin, thoroughly sweep and vacuum the area. Address any old adhesive residue, as installing vinyl plank flooring over old glue can cause bonding issues and unevenness. Use a long level to identify any imperfections and apply a self-leveling compound where needed to create a perfectly smooth surface.
Acclimation and Expansion Gaps Are Crucial
Although SPC core flooring is very stable, it still requires acclimation. Let the unopened boxes of flooring sit horizontally in the room where they will be installed for at least 48 hours. This allows the planks to adjust to the home’s ambient temperature and humidity, preventing future problems like buckling or gapping.
Furthermore, you must leave a 1/4-inch expansion gap around the entire perimeter of the room. This includes walls, door jambs, and around any fixtures like kitchen islands. This space allows the floor to expand and contract naturally without buckling. Baseboards and quarter-round molding will later cover this gap for a clean finish.
Working With the Planks
When you begin laying the planks, it’s a good practice to open several boxes at once and mix the planks. This helps to blend any slight variations in color or pattern, resulting in a more natural and professional-looking floor. While LVP is known for being durable, understanding how forgiving is vinyl plank flooring with installation mistakes is key; small errors in alignment can compound across the room.
The Final Verdict: Is Riverside LVP the Right Choice for You?
After a thorough analysis, it’s clear that Riverside vinyl plank flooring offers a compelling proposition but comes with important caveats. It is not a one-size-fits-all solution, and its suitability depends heavily on your specific needs, budget, and expectations.
Who It’s a Great Fit For:
Riverside flooring is an excellent choice for budget-conscious renovators who prioritize aesthetics. If you are looking for a modern, high-end look without the high-end price tag and are placing it in a low-to-medium traffic area of your home, it offers tremendous value. It is also a solid option for DIYers who are detail-oriented and willing to carefully inspect each plank and meticulously prepare the subfloor.
Who Should Probably Look Elsewhere:
Conversely, if your primary concern is maximum durability, this might not be the brand for you. Households with multiple large pets, active young children, or very high foot traffic should strongly consider investing in a brand with a guaranteed 20 mil or thicker wear layer and a more consistent track record for scratch resistance. If you cannot tolerate minor imperfections or potential quality control issues, you may find more peace of mind with a premium-tier brand.
The Bottom Line
Riverside vinyl plank flooring successfully delivers on its promise of affordable style. It can be a fantastic product when installed correctly in the right environment. Manage your expectations regarding its durability, be prepared to perform a diligent installation, and you can achieve a beautiful, long-lasting floor that provides excellent bang for your buck.
