Wooden floors continue to thrive as a popular choice for homes. They bring warmth, elegance and natural beauty to any space, whether it’s a bedroom, kitchen or living room. These worthwhile investments are capable of lasting for decades – if not centuries – as long as you look after them properly.
Over time, even the most durable hardwood can fade. Losing its vibrant colour thanks to wear and tear, sunlight exposure and other environmental factors. No matter how bright and joyful your space is, a faded wooden floor will make any room look tired and aged.
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Why Does Wood Flooring Fade?
Direct sunlight is often the main threat to wooden floors. With sunlight streaming through windows, your floor is bombarded with ultraviolet radiation. These rays can break down the wood’s cellular structure, which causes it to lose its natural pigmentation.
Prolonged exposure to UV light can also cause the wood to dry out from the heat. This then leads to discolouration or warping. Similarly high humidity and water damage cause wooden floors to fade and discolour over time too.
Even without these factors, general wear and tear will cause your wooden floors to fade. Think regular foot traffic, dirt and dust. These can scratch the surface of the wood, which gradually leads to a dull appearance.
It’s important to know that each type of wood reacts differently to these factors. With some species fading quicker than others. For example, where oak tends to lighten with sun exposure, cherry wood darkens. You need to understand the natural tendencies of your wood flooring to help anticipate how it might change over the years.
Choosing the Right Finish
Applying a protective finish to your wood floors is one of the best ways to guard against fading. However, you need to choose carefully as not all finishes offer the same protection.
Water-based polyurethane finishes are often preferred for their clarity and minimal odour. While they offer a decent level of protection against UV light, they’ll likely require reapplication over time.
Oil-based polyurethane gives wood floors a beautiful rich glow as well as excellent durability. However, sun exposure with oil-based finishes can lead to yellowing over time; altering your floor’s appearance.
Penetrating oil finishes soak into the wood, protecting it from the inside. Although, they don’t offer the same surface barrier as polyurethane, they do provide some protection and enhance the wood’s natural appearance.
You can also look for finishes that specifically mention UV protection. These contain UV-blocking agents that help reflect or absorb sunlight before it can damage the wood.
Protecting Your Wood Floors From Sunlight
Obviously, the best way to preserve your luxury wood flooring is by limiting their exposure to direct sunlight.
Think about window treatments such as blinds, curtains or shades that can block the sun during peak hours. You could even install automated blinds that close during the brightest parts of the day for convenience.
If you don’t want to compromise your view or natural light, consider placing transparent UV-blocking film on your windows. Theses can reduce the amount of UV light that enters the room. Solar screens are another alternative that filter sunlight. Reducing the amount of UV light without completely trading your view or ventilation.
While it might seem like more effort than it’s worth, regularly moving your rugs and furniture around can prevent uneven fading. Ensuring that all parts of your floor receive a similar level of light exposure over time. This will also help you reach areas of the room you typically miss when cleaning.
Another solution would be to install awnings or external shades over windows that receive the most sunlight. These outdoor additions can significantly reduce the intensity of sunlight entering the room.
How to Minimise Daily Wear and Tear
The easiest way to go about minimising daily wear and tear is by enforcing a no-shoes policy in your home. Especially for busy areas like entryways and hallways. Shoes can track in dirt and small rocks, which can scratch and dull the surface of your floor. You should also sweep or vacuum regularly to remove particles that can cause wear. For instance, dust and dirt act like sandpaper on wood floors.
Consider placing felt pads on the bottom of all furniture legs to prevent scratches and scuffs when moving chairs or tables. These small pads can significantly reduce surface damage over time.
Routine Cleaning Tips to Prevent Fading
Maintaining a proper cleaning routine will help preserve the colour and finish of your wood floors. However, you do need to be careful.
You’ll want to avoid wet mopping, instead using a damp mop, as wood is naturally porous, leading to excessive moisture damaging it. Make sure to use pH-neutral cleaners to maintain the integrity of the wood. Using harsh chemicals or acidic cleaners can strip away your floor’s finish. Occasionally buffing your floors can help prevent fading as it smooths out minor surface scratches that dull the appearance of wood.
Using Rugs and Furniture Pads
Strategically placing area rugs can help block UV light from reaching certain parts of the floor. They also add a layer of protection to active spaces. You’ll want to rotate your rugs regularly though to ensure the entire floor ages evenly.
Furniture pads are a must-have to prevent scratches that heavy furniture is prone to leaving. You just need to remember to check on these small felt pads; replacing the worn-out ones when needed to ensure your floor remains protected.
Final Thoughts
It’s well-known that wooden floors are an investment. They’re costly and require a lot of care, but the end result is a long-lasting, durable and beautiful floor that you likely won’t have to replace in your lifetime.
By understanding the causes of fading and taking proactive measures, you can extend the longevity and appearance of your wood floors, allowing you to enjoy the warmth and elegance for years to come.
Whether you’re installing new hardwood floors or caring for existing ones, these strategies will help you preserve their beauty. Taking the time to implement these precautions now, you can save your future-self money on repairs and refinishing down the line.
