Picture this: you’re rearranging the furniture in your living room to spruce up your space. You lift up the rug for the first time in ages, shocked by what you see. The surrounding hardwood floor has completely faded, displaying a darker shade of wood underneath the rug! Or, over time, you may notice your couch placed by the window getting duller and duller in color. Unfortunately, there are numerous factors that cause the fading of furnishings and flooring, which is inevitable over time. Luckily, you can minimize the speed at which the fading occurs with a solution like UV window film.
The Causes of Fading
The fading of furniture, hardwood flooring, and artwork is caused by a variety of reasons. Contributing factors include UV rays, visible light, heat, humidity, artificial light, and the dyes and materials used on furniture. While many factors cause fading, exposure to UV radiation is one of the leading causes, accounting for 40% of the damage.
Ultraviolet rays cause photodegradation, which is also known as color fading. Dyes used in fabrics contain chromophores, which are light-absorbing color bodies. The colors we see are a result of the chemical bonds that occur in chromophores paired with the amount of light that is absorbed in a particular wavelength. Ultraviolet rays have the ability to break down these chemical bonds, and as a result, fading occurs.
The Role of the Sun in Fading
While recent architectural trends lean towards large windows for naturally lit spaces, this comes at a cost. Windows welcome in sunlight, as well as, UV rays, visible light, and heat. As a result, fading is likely to occur over time. While curtains may block the sunlight, and in turn, the causes of fading, in order for that to be effective, they eliminate natural light as a whole. However, with UV window film, you can enjoy a naturally lit space, while minimizing the fading of your furnishings and floorings.
Minimize Fading with UV Window Film
While nothing can completely stop fading, UV window film can slow down the process and protect your space from harmful UV rays. Just as we put sunscreen on before going outside to protect our skin, UV window film is a thin layer of film applied to windows to block up to 99.9% of UV rays. In fact, UV window film can reduce fading anywhere from 40% to 75% depending on the film you select. Not to mention, UV window film provides this level of protection, without eliminating sunlight and blocking outdoor views. Welcome sunlight into your space, while minimizing the harm caused by UV rays. It can even protect the skin of occupants! In fact, the Skin Cancer Foundation actually recommends window film as an effective UV protectant.
Adds Protection & Heat Rejection
In addition to UV protection, UV window film also has the ability to reject heat. This not only aids in fade prevention but also increases the comfort of occupants. Not to mention, it can help improve energy efficiency, leading to lower energy bills. Maintain a beautiful naturally lit space while adding years onto the life of your HVAC system, your hardwood floors, and your furnishings.
With UV window film, you’ll extend the life of your furniture and flooring while protecting occupants from harmful UV rays. Not to mention, you’ll receive increased protection and comfort, while still enjoying a beautiful, naturally lit space. Contact one of our window film professionals to discover the perfect film for your residential or commercial space!
New York Window Film provides high-quality products and window film installations to Metropolitan New York, Long Island, New Jersey, and Connecticut. With window film solutions for both residential and commercial spaces, our products can help you achieve anything from sun control and security to decorative enhancement and privacy. Call us at (631) 420-4101 or (212) 256-1414 for more information, or click here for a no-obligation estimate.
