We Replaced Our Kitchen Floors And Here’s Why We Chose Hewn Stoneform Again
If you've followed our journey for a while, you know we bought our 100-year-old farmhouse fully aware that the kitchen was a disaster. The burgundy red composite floors were peeling, the subfloor was soft in spots, and I spent years doing dishes while standing on a floor that felt like it might cave in beneath me. Literally.
This is the same spot in our kitchen, six months apart:
When we finally began demo, we discovered what my feet had known to be true standing in front of the old sink for 3+ years, that under the TWELVE other layers of flooring, the subfloor had completely rotted through. The boards crumbled in our hands. It wasn't a surprise, but it was still shocking to see how bad it really was.
What the red (let's call that a wild color choice) LVP compressed wood floors were hiding:
We were prepared though: Once the beams were sistered and the subfloor was repaired and leveled, we had a plan in place: we'd finish the job the right way by installing Hewn Floors, like in our previous home.
Why We Chose Hewn Stoneform Flooring (Again)
This wasn't our first time choosing Hewn floors. In our previous home, affectionately called "The Pineglen House", we used Hewn in color Grain and absolutely fell in love. It gave us the feel of traditional hardwood flooring without any of the issues that come with actual wood.
Our previous house on Pineglen:
You can read all about our first experience with these floors in this post.
So, when we started planning the kitchen remodel in our current house, there was no debate. We were going with Hewn Stoneform flooring again. After everything we had poured into restoring this space, from structural repairs to hours of hands-on work, we were not about to cut corners on the finish. The previous owners had made that mistake with flimsy, low quality flooring, and we were not going to repeat it. After all the sweat, effort, and yes, a few tears, it was high quality flooring or nothing at all.
What Makes Hewn Different?
Let's talk about why Stoneform floors are in a class of their own:
- Not LVP - While many people lump Stoneform in with vinyl plank flooring, it's truly a wood-alternative flooring collection all its own. It doesn't have the chemical smell or "give" of traditional vinyl floors.
- Waterproof & Durable - With two kids and a farm to run, we live real life in our house. These floors are built to stand up to muddy boots, spills, canning marathons, and winter messes.
- 12 Mil Wear Layer - The strength of this floor is unmatched. We've dragged furniture across it, let our dogs zoom around the kitchen, and it still looks pristine.
- Excellent Insulator - Even laid over a cold subfloor, the Hewn floors retain warmth and make the space feel cozy, which is critical in our old, drafty farmhouse.
- True Grain Technology - This is what makes them look like wood. Even up close, it's hard to believe they're not.
Our Installation Process (And Why We Added a Subfloor)
We had to add a new subfloor because we were working with multiple flooring layers throughout the house: uneven joists, you name it. The best way to get a seamless finish across the kitchen, dining room, and living room was to lay down a solid subfloor first.
A note on adding subfloor:
In most homes though, like our previous one, adding an entirely new subfloor isn't usually necessary. If your original subfloors are level, dry, and in good condition, and you're not dealing with drastic height variations between rooms, you can skip this step altogether. In our first house, we installed flooring directly over the existing subfloor without issue. So while it was crucial for us this time around (thanks to damage and decades of patchwork, with this being a hundred year old home), it's not a universal requirement. Assess the bones of your space before adding extra work. Sometimes, simple is all you need.
Once the subfloor was down, installation was quick and satisfying. Hewn's lock system makes it simple to snap each next plankinto place. Plus, they offer transitional pieces that blend the flooring between rooms seamlessly.
Why Stoneform vs Traditional Hardwood?
This is one of the most common questions we get. Why not go with traditional hardwood flooring?
Here's why:
- We live on a farm. Hardwood would scratch and warp in no time.
- Stoneform is waterproof. Hardwood isn't.
- No need to sand, stain, seal, or baby these floors.
- It's the best flooring material I've ever walked on. Period.
Questions We've Been Asked And Our Answers
Q: Do they smell like chemicals after install?
A: Not at all. One of the most impressive things about HEWN flooring is the complete lack of chemical smell during and after installation. There's zero off-gassing - truly. No lingering VOCs, no headache-inducing fumes, and no need to air out the space. We were able to walk on the floors immediately after install, and it felt like they had already been part of our home for years.
This matters deeply to me as someone who values a non-toxic home. With HEWN, there was no pause, no chemical haze. Just clean, ready-to-use floors from the moment they clicked into place. That kind of peace of mind isn't something I take lightly.
Q: Are they warm or cold to the touch?
A: Surprisingly warm, even on early mornings without radiant heat or any special underlayment. One of the biggest misconceptions with stoneform flooring is that it'll feel cold and hard underfoot, like traditional tile. But that's not the case at all. HEWN floors have a padded backing that gives them a softer feel and a bit of give when you walk or stand on them. It's comfortable underfoot, making long hours in the kitchen or standing at the sink much easier on the body. The material also holds temperature well, acting as a natural insulator, so even in the cooler months they never have that icy, jarring feel you might expect.
Q: Do they scratch easily?
A: Nope! And we are not careful people. Between furniture, animals, and kids, our floors see a lot, and they're holding up beautifully. HEWN's Stoneform™ floors are built tough, and the scratch resistance is one of the first things we noticed. That said, I still place those little felt pad stickers under all our furniture. Why not? It's a simple way to protect an investment we truly love. I like treating them with care so they last as long as possible and continue looking beautiful for years to come.
Q: Are they easy to clean?
A: Absolutely, and that's one of the reasons we love them. I don't use many chemicals in our home, so a simple microfiber mop and warm water is all it takes. No soap residue, no buildup, just clean floors that feel good underfoot. With kids always coming and going, and a dog and cats living right alongside us, our floors handle real-life messes daily. The job is quick, takes under 10 minutes, and fits perfectly into the simple, low-maintenance rhythm we aim for in our home.
Q: Can I order samples?
A: Yes! And I highly recommend it. You can feel the texture and see the beveled edge detailing in person before committing. This is the link to the exact flooring we picked: Lane, part of the Galey Alix Collection
Q: Do you still love them after a few months?
A: Yes! And we loved them after a few years in our last home too. This is a brand that keeps its quality consistent over time.
Q: Will they work in other rooms of the house?
A: Yes. We're using them in the kitchen, dining room, living room, and hallway, but I'd gladly put them in bedrooms, the kids playroom, or even a mudroom. They're that good.
Want to Try Hewn Flooring in Your Own Home?
If you're considering new flooring, I can't recommend Hewn enough.
Click here to order your flooring sample and explore Hewn Stoneform floors
If you want to see how we used them in our previous home, read this post: Our Hewn Flooring Reveal in the Pineglen House
And if you're curious about how this all fits into our farmhouse kitchen remodel, start here: Inside Our 100-Year-Old Farmhouse Kitchen Remodel
I'll be sharing updated room tours soon, along with cozy kitchen moments and home decor as we keep layering our farmhouse with warmth, charm, and practicality.
Meet Eryn
Eryn Whalen is a homestead blogger and recipe developer with decades of hands-on experience in gardening, home canning, animal husbandry, and traditional kitchen skills. On her family's 100-acre Tennessee farmstead, she shares the daily beauty of homestead life: from milking cows at sunrise to filling the pantry with homegrown food and baking from scratch in her farmhouse kitchen. Read more about Eryn here
