I too am searching for floors and don't know anything about this brand, but I can give you some tips on things you will want to investigate further about this brand (I've been doing a lot of reading and research on what constitutes a quality floor and decided to approach my choosing in the opposite way you are. I am discovering the brands that meet all of my construction criteria, and then I am going to limit my color/appearance choices within only those brands.).

" DESCRIPTION:
The Authentic Plank Collection from Southwind Luxury Vinyl is top of the line in quality and realism. These vinyl planks are 9 IN. wide and feature a 60 IN. length. With an 8mm total thickness, the planks in the Authentic Collection are created using a 2mm vinyl top layer with a 4.5mm WPC Core. The WPC core is a high density wood plastic composite with a uniclic locking system. Attached to each luxury vinyl plank is the Southwind IXPE underlayment pad which is impervious to water, hides subfloor imperfections, provides added sound absorption and comfort underfoot. The luxury vinyl planks in the Authentic Collection are easily installed glue-free, using the click lock system. Detailed embossing creates an incredibly realistic look, enhanced by the authentic wood grain texture and the painted bevel."

The commercial warranty sounds good. But, you really have to read it to see what exactly they are warranting.

Thicker is usually better.

WPC core contains wood and can possibly absorb water. A more waterproof plank construction is SPC (has stone rather than wood as a filler). Could possibly be an issue in a basement.

You will probably want to know if they use virgin or recycled plastic in their product, and you will want to know if it is FloorScore certified. https://www.scsglobalservices.com/services/floorscore

The description tells you nothing at all about the wear layer and what it is composed of. You definitely need to investigate that because some wear layers are enhanced with ceramic beads or aluminum oxide or even diamond dust. These are the strongest wear layers.

EIR (embossed in register) is the most realistic looking. This description doesn't highlight that, so I am guessing it might not be. Do some further investigating.

Do you like the painted bevel look? It is a personal decision.

i walked into a showroom at a company i have used before and been satisied with and my jaw dropped when i saw this. the grain pops in real life and it looked so realistic. its going to run into a small area of light blue carpet and it goes really well- theres some slight blue undetones in it that are enhanced when paired with the blue carpet. i fell in love with it. i am lucky in that my basement has zero water issues

the pic doesnt do it justice. i was on my hands and knees in the showroom admiring it. the boards are very detailed. so yes, im going about it differently... just saw it in showroom and fell in love, hoping quality is there. it is EIR

well it is fake... lol. Photos and monitors suck. They never remain true to life. the boards themselves were detailed enough to look real, it was better than any other lvp floor they had down in the showroom. i could see how you could say that the color negates al of that, but i like it. look at it compared to the one next to it, which isnt even trying to look real in my opinion. it comes in many other colors, many of them with a more traditional feel, but i found the high contrast here interesting. we have red oak strip flooring theoughout almost all of the rest of the house, but cannot install that in the basement. Going for the complete opposite this time- wide plank, grey.

I am considering the “classic strip” style of south wind. How has your’s held up?

st5330 I am considering the Southwind Authentic Plank as well, but nervous because it's hard to find reviews. Can you share how your floor has held up this past year?

Oh and it has a slight texture to it thats good for the kids and animals (no slipping)

st5330 Thanks very much for the update! I really like the samples I've received but it's a bit nerve wracking to make a decision on 1600sf of flooring without finding any reviews. Appreciate your real life experience with it!

I saw the southwind authentic plank in a local showroom today, and like st5330 was blown away at the quality and realistic look of it compared with the rest of the options. It even felr more like wood and not plastic-y like most lvp. Here is a picture of the antique pine color we are considering.

I saw the southwind authentic plank in a local showroom today, and like st5330 was blown away at the quality and realistic look of it compared with the rest of the options. It even felt more like wood and not plastic-y like most lvp. Here is a picture of the antique pine color we are considering.

@st5330, have you been able to test how it holds up to spills/liquids? Any issues with denting (under heavy furniture for example) seeing as it is a wpc?

other than a huge aquarium that hasnt moved since We have not had heavy stuff on it but it seems solid. for spills tho it seems great- water changes on the 125 gallon aquarium are messy. water beads up well on surface and when i wipe it away it seems dry like water hasnt absorbed into it. the slight texture also keeps it from getti g slippery when wet. i get a lot of positive comments on this floor and zero on our (also nice) brandnew hardwoods on the main level. for the record the hardwoods are same age and already show some wear. dog scratches, dents from things dropped. part of having a living/natural floor and a family. i dont think this lvp ever will show wear. if i ever replaced it for style reasons id absolutely pick this brand again

you have to see it in live to appreciate EIR technology in Vinyl Planks https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=872ztwvNSdI

We are getting an addition built and im picking this flooring (different color though) again

@st5330 just checking how you like hour flooring? What do you mop with? Does it show streaks?

@ this does not show streaks as far as i can tell. i will spot clean mud or spills right away with water and paper towel. i vacuum and sweep it and have also used a swifter. ive never had to mop mop it and i believe the installer said to try to not mop. we are getting a 600 square foot addition this year and using this brand (different color) again. i still vouch for it

I have had Cortec LVP floors for twenty years….no problem … ever.. still like new..,I think the Cortec looks more like real wood than any of the others we saw…and chose a much less varied coloration.. it does have a little grain on the surface that you can feel an a non shiny surface more like natural wood

Another view

I’m looking for vinyl flooring for a new build. I’ll be laying about 3800 sq feet on our main level. I’ve always had wood floors but with big dogs they just end up looking terrible. My son has Southwind Authentic Plank in his house. It’s been down about 4 1/2 years and looks great. No scratches or dents I could see. With two kids, a large dog and a cat I’d say that’s pretty amazing. He does have one plank that moves and leaves a space but the rest have been stable. May have been an installation issue. This flooring is definetely on the top of my list for my new house. Also saw it in a showroom and it looked great there as well. It was in a furniture/flooring store so it gets lots a heavy furniture moved across it. Again I saw no scratches.

I am totally disappointed in Southwind. They do not stand behind their warranty even though there is evidence of product failure. It scratched easily and the seams broke apart.

We have installed Southwind Authentic Plank in the Highland color a few times now. It's a great choice if you like the barnwood color and if you like the large format planks. Personally, I also like that it has an attached pad and it's a WPC, which means it's quieter and more comfortable underfoot than most other planks on the market. Here is one Highland Gray project we did in Valley City, ND in 2021.

Has anyone had experience with Southwind Harbor Plank?

Considering Harbor Plank Brazilian Cherry for kitchen.

info so far is: Pthalate and Formaldehyde free,

ISO 14001

ISO 9001

Greenguard Gold certified.

made in China

Assure crertified

not really sure what all of that indicates

dont know if it is virgin vinyl or recycled…virgin is better.

please share any knowledge re:this product

main concern is VOC, and outgassing

Anyone have experience with Southwind’s laminate flooring? Looking at the revival line specs and warranty look good but can’t find any reviews online — might be a newer product?

I had Southwind installed in my new build two years ago and absolutely love it. Floors have held up so far to a WILD German Shepherd and four grandsons. Everyone who comes to my home comments on how beautiful the floors are.

Did you use their laminate or vinyl? I’m looking at their laminate called Palmer Oak.

I went with their Authentic Plank LVP. I wanted to be sure it could hold up in the kitchen and bathrooms where there was likely to be water.

We are having 2,000sq WPC installed. We are narrowing it down to Coretec and Southwind. Our installer has all thickness. The 12mm and 19mm from Coretec and Southwind are both nice options. Coretec released the 19mm this year. One hesitation with Southwind is the history of the company. They started making LVP in 2015 and they were acquired by F9 Brands in 2021. F9 is an equity firm. In my experience they usually put profit over consumer. Coretec is owned by Shaw and has been around forever. Both Coretec and Southwind use the angle-tap locking system.