Residential · 3 min read
How to Stop Hardwood Floors From Fading in the Sun
Fading is caused mostly by ultraviolet light, with visible light and heat contributing. UV blocking window film removes up to 99% of the largest cause at the window, without darkening the room or requiring you to keep blinds closed.
Why one section of floor is lighter
Wherever direct sun lands for hours a day, finish and pigment break down faster. Furniture and rugs mask the effect, which is how the difference becomes visible when something gets moved. It's cumulative — it doesn't reverse.
The three causes, ranked
Ultraviolet light does the most damage, visible light is second and heat accelerates both. Window film addresses all three, with the largest effect on UV.
- UV — the biggest single factor, up to 99% blocked by film
- Visible light — reduced according to the shade you choose
- Heat — reduced by solar control films
You don't have to darken the house
UV rejection isn't proportional to how dark the film looks. A nearly clear film blocks essentially the same UV as a dark one, so protecting a floor doesn't require changing the look of your windows.
Time it with new flooring
If you're installing new hardwood or LVP, film the glass first. Filming a room is dramatically cheaper than refinishing a floor.