How to Avoid Sun Damaged Floors

To protect the floor from the damaging rays of the sun, you should use window treatments such as curtains, blinds, or shades. During the time of the day when the rays of the sun shine directly onto your floors, keep the window treatments drawn. The idea is to limit the amount of sunlight that directly hits your floors.

Over time, it’s inevitable that there will be slight discoloration from the sun. At the very least, you should be moving your furniture around from time to time to prevent discoloration to the extent where you can make out the outlines of where your couch used to sit. Moving the furniture around is a small way you can keep your wood floors looking nice for years to come. Make sure your furniture has floor protectors on all legs to prevent scratches.

Certain finishes have UV-ray inhibitors in them that can deflect some, but not all, of the sun’s UV rays. It’s almost like sunscreen for your wood floors. They can help slow the process of fading, but they won’t stop it in the long run. Still, some UV protection is better than none.

Whether you don’t want to deal with window film or desire additional protection, awnings can help. If you don’t mind how awnings will alter your home’s facade, they can be a great way to add shade and protect your floors. You may not see as much sunlight coming into your home, but that will protect your floors and provide energy-efficient benefits.

Although drawing the blinds and rearranging your furniture routinely can be a good first step, regular floor maintenance is also a big part of preventing sun damage.If the wood is already faded and any of the practices above were used and blending the areas together is not working, or the difference in color is too drastic, then the only option is to restore the hardwood flooring by sanding and refinishing.

Sun exposure lightens certain types of wood and darkens others. Be sure to move furniture and rugs regularly to create more even sun exposure throughout each room.

While you may not be able to completely eliminate sun damage to your floors and furniture, you can prevent and reduce a great deal of it. Follow these tips to minimize damage and keep your floors and furniture as pristine as possible for as long as you can.

If you’re ready to speak with someone about your hardwood flooring project, we want to hear from you! Contact us at 512-719-3555