29 Sep Can Sunlight Ruin my Floors?

Few things are as uplifting as a bright, sunny day. We rejoice when the sun comes out and doesn’t ruin our plans and open the drapes to let the sun shine in. What you may not realize is that the sun pouring through the window is damaging your floor and shortening its lifespan.

The sun emits ultraviolet rays that we take great pains to avoid on our bodies. Floors need to be protected from UV rays, too. It doesn’t matter what type of flooring you have, sunlight will cause it to fade, become discolored, and degrade over time. The only exception is porcelain and stone tiles.

Depending upon the type of wood used in your hardwood floors, the sun can “bleach” it so it’s a lighter color than when it was originally installed. Sunlight on darker wood such as Brazilian cherry and maple can deepen the color.

Those that have luxury vinyl and laminate flooring have more than fading to be concerned about. Many vinyl and laminate flooring products have UV inhibitors for light resistance, but they will still fade over time. The material is also sensitive to heat. It will expand and contract as it warms and cools, leading to degradation of the flooring.

Carpeting is perhaps the most affected when you let the sunshine in. Colors will become faded and bleached. The sun has a baking effect on the fibers, which will cause them to become brittle and break down.

Porcelain and stone tiles won’t fade or become discolored, but they do absorb heat. The darker the color and thicker the tile, the more heat it will soak up. The good news is that it won’t fade or bleach, even when exposed to intense heat over long periods of time. It’s just one of the reasons why it has so many outdoor uses.

You have a number of options when it comes to protecting your floor from UV rays. No one wants to keep their drapes or blinds permanently drawn. The easiest method is to invest in a UV film that filters out UV rays. They can block out up to 99 percent of UV rays and reflect up to 78 percent of the sun’s heat. The film won’t ruin your view, but it will preserve your floors and furnishings.