How Hardwood Floors Change Naturally Over Time
Hardwood floors can add beauty to any home. Like any other natural material, it can be subject to the elements, especially sunlight. This is called photosensitivity. It can affect all of the natural materials in your home.
What is Photosensitivity?
Photosensitivity is how much sunlight can affect the way the wood is changed when exposed to sunlight over time. This is also called a photochemical reaction. The more photosensitive the wood is, the more likely it is to change in direct sunlight. In general, the lighter the wood type, the more it will be affected.
Preventing Wood Color Change
Now that we know that UV light affects wood color, we can work on preventing the changing of the colors. There are a few measures you can do:
Install Blinds or Curtains
Installing curtains or blinds can help control how much light enters a room. Even installing a UV-blocking window tint can help.
Moving Things Around
Rearranging the furniture might also help out with the fading of the wood flooring. This can help reduce spots that seem bleached on the flooring.
Area Rugs
Buy some area rugs to help shade the flooring from direct sunlight. They are also easy to move around and protect most of the flooring.
Finishes
Applying a finish with UV inhibitors can also help to reduce the effect of sunlight on the hardwood flooring. There are no finishes that offer 100% protection, but there are many that can help to slow the process down.
Low-E Glass Windows
This can be a little costly if you are not in the market for new windows. There are many windows now available with UV protection built in. One major advantage in having these windows will help to reduce electric costs also.
Santizo Hardwood Flooring can help you in reducing the fading of your hardwood flooring due to UV damage. With over 15 years experience in Raleigh and surrounding areas will help out in every aspect of installation and care of your hardwood flooring. Call or contact us foer any questions you have about hardwood flooring.