At Hewn, we're proud of the 20-year residential warranty we offer on all of our Stoneform flooring. But we also recognize that with any investment in a flooring upgrade, some customers may feel anxious about what that warranty covers. While Stoneform is extremely durable, our warranty is intended to give you peace of mind if the worst does occur.
In this blog post, we'll explain what exactly is covered, and not covered, by our warranty. We'll also cover what happens if you want to proceed with a warranty claim.
Breaking it Down
What's Covered
We offer a 20 year residential warranty for all of our Stoneform lines, and a 10 year commercial warranty for our Elite and Premium Collections. Our warranty covers:
- Warping
- Cracking
- Delamination
What's Not Covered
- Gloss reduction
- Damage due to moisture in the subfloor
- Surface scratches
- Dents
To Qualify for Warranty
In order to qualify for warranty, here is what must be done
- Flooring must be installed according to the Stoneform installation guidelines
- Flooring may only be used indoors in dry, climate-controlled area
- Flooring must be maintained according to Stoneform maintenance guidelines
How to Obtain Warranty Service
- Report any defects prior to install
- Contact customerservice@hewnfloor.com to obtain warranty
- Provide documentation of sale
- Provide proof that your flooring was properly installed
Specific cases not covered by warranty
- Damage due to adhesives or tape, scratches, gouges, scuffs, punctures, cuts, indentations, burns, accidents, lack of proper furniture rests or any intentional misuse
- Problems due to moisture, mildew, alkaline substances, hydrostatic pressure, expansion and contraction between planks, or humidity levels above or below those recommended
- Normal color variations due to use of natural components, exposure to UV light or sunlight, and the age of your flooring
- Noncompliance with installation guidelines and maintenance guidelines
- Cracking, warping, soiling, fading, improper maintenance or abuse caused by items such as roller skates, cleats, golf shoes or pets
- Flooring installed in inappropriate locations
Common Warranty Pitfalls
To ensure your flooring stays covered by our warranty, avoid these pitfalls that are the most common reasons why customers do not qualify for warranty.
Not Using a Vapor/ Moisture Barrier
It is mandatory to use a vapor barrier with Stoneform® when installing directly over a concrete slab. Use a vapor barrier with a minimum thickness of 6mils. This barrier acts as a protective layer, preventing moisture from seeping up and causing damage to your new flooring. A moisture barrier is not required if installing over tile or a wood subfloor.
If installation is over a crawl space, a previously placed vapor barrier in the crawl space is sufficient for our warranty.
Not leaving an expansion gap
Our most common warranty claim issue is customers not leaving a 1/4 inch expansion gap around the perimeter of their flooring. A lack of an expansion gap may lead to a build of of hydrostatic pressure when the floor is exposed to higher temperatures from summer weather. This build up can lead to cupping in your floor.
FAQs About Our Warranty
Can I use underfloor heating?
Yes. Underfloor heating is covered in our warranty as long as it stays between 65 and 80 degrees F.
Can I install Hewn Flooring over concrete?
Yes, Hewn Flooring is covered by our warranty to be installed over concrete as long as you use a vapor barrier, and the concrete meets moisture requirements.
Can I install Hewn Flooring in outdoor spaces or places like boats or RVs?
No. Hewn Flooring is only suitable for indoor spaces. Our warranty does not cover any flooring installed in spaces that are not indoors.
How level does my subfloor need to be to qualify for warranty?
Any area that has flooring deflection more than 3/16" in any 8' span will cause the locking system to fail and will not be covered by our warranty.
Can I install Hewn Flooring over hardwood floors?
No. Moisture from the subfloor can be trapped in the hardwood and result in dangerous mold. Installing Hewn Flooring on top of hardwood floors is not covered in our warranty.
Still Have Questions?
We hope this guide will help to clear up an confusion surrounding our warranty. Our goal is to help you have beautiful flooring for years to come. Check out our best tips for maintaining and caring for your flooring here.
As always, please contact our office for any questions regarding our warranty specific to your home.