Strategies to Maintaining the Quality of Your Floors
Summer is in full swing and just as your skin gets sunburned from too much sun, so does your flooring. Although your carpet’s resilience to UV rays have increased significantly due to developments in dye technology, they aren’t totally immune to substantial sun damage.
This can do costly damage to upholstery, curtains, family photos, and flooring. Anything under a window in direct sunlight can be faded or damaged by UV rays.
Disclaimer: floors are subject to more damage during the summer because of stronger UV rays, but many assume that sun damage is only a summer problem but the reality is that your floors are subject to sun damage on any day the sun is out.
The following are steps you can take to prevent and remedy UV damage to your flooring.
Sun Protection for Hardwood Flooring
Sun can lighten your wood flooring, but too much sunlight will pull a lot of color out of the floorboards and overexposure to the sun could even cause the floorboards to weaken. Hardwood floors are a costly investment, and the following are ways to keep your wood looking beautiful.
Minimize Your Floors Exposure to the Sun
The best protection for your hardwood floors is to not expose them to damage in the first place. Minimizing the amount of time or the strength of the sunlight they face will significantly reduce the risk of long-term damage.
- Use blinds or shades: when the sun is peaking right through your windows, you should draw blinds or shades to protect your floors. Minimal amounts of light will still be let through so you can see, but the integrity of your floors will thank you.
- Blackout lining: if you want to take it one step further, you can line your curtains with a blackout lining to prevent all sunlight from entering and damaging your floors.
- Window tinting: window tints can be purchased from your local hardwood store and installed either by a professional or you can do it yourself. The following are two options for installation:
- Solar window film reduces glare and fading by offering up to 90% UV protection, plus it can lower cooling costs up to 30%.
- Clear UV blocking is another option, but it doesn’t offer any protection against heat
- Install window glass made to block UV rays: if you’re building a new home or replacing the windows in your house, advancement in window making technology has led to the creation of windows made to block UV rays, such as these windows.
Refinish or Replace Sun Faded Sections
If the sun has already damaged sections of your floors, refinishing, or replacing, may be a good option. Depending on the quality and wood type of your floors, you may be able to do it yourself, but it’s probably best to hire a professional flooring expert to do the work for you.
Clean Floors Regularly
We recommend using simplified and natural methods to clean and restore your flooring. Products like vinegar, water, or industry trusted Bona Hardwood Floor Cleaner Products. Your local hardware or grocery stores usually have an overabundance of oil, wax, and chemical cleaners available. We don’t advise using these products as they can be harmful to your floors.
Replace the Flooring
In some cases, the flooring might be too far gone damaged to save, or perhaps replacing your hardwood floors has more to do than just the sun damage. Either way, you can choose your new favorite hardwood flooring! Check out this hardwood flooring guide for help deciding what type of floor works best for you.
Protect Your Laminate Floors from Fading
While many laminate flooring products are coated with aluminum oxide to prevent fading, large amounts of sunlight can still cause discoloration. Here are a few tips to protect your laminate from the harsh rays of the sun.
Adjust the Windows
Sun coming in through the windows is the biggest culprit of damage or fading to your flooring. Consider closing the blinds or curtains when the sun is at its peak. Another option is window tinting or using a window film to filter out the harsher effects of the sunlight.
Regular Cleaning
Using the proper cleaning materials also goes a long way in preserving the look of your floors. Avoid using expensive oils or waxes, as these can leave a residue and dull your floors over time. Using water and ammonia or Bona products are highly recommended.
What to do for Sun Damaged Laminate Flooring
Call us for a free estimate if your floors are too damaged. We can discuss replacing the damaged sections if necessary.
Sun Protection for Your Carpets
Minimize exposure to the sun
As with your hardwood and laminate flooring, minimizing exposure is the best method of protection for your carpets and rugs
The same tips apply here
- Use blinds or shades: If there are a few windows in particular that are exposed to a lot of sunlight, consider adding blackout lining behind your normal window treatments.
- Add a tint to your window: to reduce harmful infrared and UV rays
- Replace windows
UV Protection Carpet Treatments
Many products have UV protection among their long list of other benefits. Be careful the carpet treatment you choose doesn’t damage or discolor your carpet. Be sure to test in an inconspicuous location first.
Replace Your Carpets & Rugs
If worse comes to worse, after substantial overexposure to sunlight over time, it might be time to replace your carpets. With so many different flooring options, you can check out our blog or message us for a free estimate for tips to find the right flooring for your space!
Preserve the Integrity of Your Hardwood Floors
With a little extra attention and effort, your flooring can maintain its quality and appearance for years to come. But if you are having trouble with sun damage, give us a call for a FREE ESTIMATE on how we can help you get your home flooring in shape.