How to Protect Your Floors from UV Damage: A Calgary Homeowner’s Guide
Sunlight streaming through your windows helps brighten rooms—but it can also be a hidden threat to your beautiful hardwood and wood-finish floors. Over time, ultraviolet (UV) rays, especially in a city known for many hours of sunlight per year, will gradually fade, discolor, and degrade wood surfaces, leaving uneven patches and sapped luster.
As a flooring company that cares about longevity and beauty, here are your best strategies to keep your floors looking pristine for years:
1. Understand What UV Does to Wood
-
UV light breaks down the lignin in wood, which leads to color shifts and fading. Different species react differently—some woods lighten, others darken.
-
Finishes themselves can yellow or degrade under prolonged sun exposure.
-
Even if the damage is subtle at first, over months and years it becomes visible, especially in contrast between shaded and sunlit areas.
2. Use Window Treatments & Films
-
Blinds, curtains, and shades can block direct sunlight. Opt for light-filtering or blackout styles that still let in comfortable daylight.
-
Window films are nearly “invisible” shields: they pass visible light but filter out significant percentages of UV (often up to 99%).
-
For big glass areas (sliders, picture windows), low-E (low emissivity) glass or upgraded windows are a longer-term solution.
-
Exterior options like awnings or exterior screens help block harsh light before it hits the glass.
3. Rotate Furniture, Rugs & Decor
-
Sunlight tends to fall strongest on specific zones—say, in front of a bay window or French doors.
-
By rotating area rugs and furniture periodically, you help distribute exposure more evenly. This avoids stark contrast lines between darker and lighter areas.
-
Use heavier rugs or runners in high-exposure zones to act as a buffer.
4. Choose Finishes with UV Protection
-
Some floor finishes incorporate UV inhibitors or stabilizers which slow down the color change process.
-
Opt for finishes known for durability—aluminum oxide, for example, or UV-cured urethane systems.
-
If refinishing, your flooring contractor can recommend or apply a finish designed for sunlight resilience.
5. Control Indoor Climate & Humidity
-
Sunlight can dry wood out, making it more vulnerable to cracking, shrinking, or checking.
-
Maintain relative humidity levels in the home (often between ~ 30–50 %) using humidifiers or HVAC systems.
-
Keep windows closed or shaded during peak sun hours to reduce temperature swings across the floor surface.
6. Clean & Maintain Smartly
-
Use cleaners recommended for wood floors (avoid harsh chemicals) to preserve the finish’s protective properties.
-
Promptly address spills, scratches, or worn spots—if the finish gets compromised, UV damage accelerates.
Protecting your floors from UV damage is a blend of prevention, maintenance, and smart upgrades. By combining window treatments, protective finishes, furniture rotation, and climate control, you dramatically slow down fading and preserve both the beauty and value of your floors.
If you’d like a recommendation refinishing or repairing floors that have UV damage, contact us for a free assessment and quote.
