Do hardwood floors fade in sunlight?

Author: Dr. Maude Ratke  |  Last update: Tuesday, June 28, 2022

Wood is a photosensitive material. Depending on which wood your floors are made of, sunlight can cause them to darken or fade. You may not notice the effects from one day to the next, but over time, direct light may even change the color of your floors.

How do I keep my hardwood floors from fading?

The key here is to reduce your hardwood floor's exposure to sunlight. The best way to accomplish this is by covering up your windows, as windows are the main source of sunlight to your floors. Blinds, drapes, or shutters all work very well.

Do wood floors lighten or darken over time?

Yes, all hardwood floors will slightly change colour over periods of time, especially if they are in contact with direct sunlight. The most noticeable colour change will happen in the first few months after being installed.

Does sunlight darken wood floors?

When hardwood floors are exposed to the sun over a period of time, they tend to fade, bleach, or darken—depending on the type of wood.

Why do rugs discolor hardwood floors?

Fading and discoloration in a wood floor may be caused by rugs. A rug blocks the UV light from hitting the floor, which can cause uneven fading of the wood. Uneven discoloration of wood flooring is sometimes caused by a rug. Rugs block UV light, which causes uneven fading.

Flooring Tips : How to Fix a Faded Hardwood Floor

Do hardwood floors yellow over time?

Over time, hardwood floors, especially those with a polyurethane finish, tend to become a shade of yellow which is not very desirable and diminishes its elegance. If your white oakwood floor is under direct sunlight, it will change color over time. This is most noticeable in the first few months post-installation.

Do oak floors darken over time?

The short answer is yes, your hardwood floors will darken over time. This is inevitable, although there are steps you can take to slow down this process.

How much does it cost to lighten hardwood floors?

Whitewashing hardwood floors costs $2 to $7 per square foot and requires sanding to remove the old finish and then applying a light wash and clear polyurethane topcoat instead of a darker stain.

Do dark floors make a room look smaller?

Dark floors will not automatically make your room look smaller. While overloading a small space with dark colors will absorb light and make the space feel even smaller, dark floors can actually help to open a space up, if done correctly.

How long does it take for wood floors to darken?

These hardwood floors typically take between six months to two years to reach their mature colour depending on the specie of wood and the amount of natural or artificial light the flooring is exposed to. Some wood species become darker and some become lighter over time.

Does engineered hardwood fade in sunlight?

Will Engineered floor fade or change color? Yes, it can fade in heavy sunlight. However, choose a light-color engineered hardwood that won't fade as easily as the darker woods if you insist on the engineered hardwood.

Does oak flooring fade in the sun?

The sun's rays don't just fade your soft furnishings; they can also fade your hardwood floors. And it's not the only enemy to your floors' finish.

What flooring does not fade in sunlight?

The good news is that sunlight doesn't impact every type of flooring. Hardwood floors, especially lighter-colored hardwood, won't be affected by UV rays. Vinyl, laminate and carpeting, on the other hand, can start to fade over time.

Does oak fade in sunlight?

When it comes to direct sunlight, it is important to keep all types of indoor oak furniture covered, as not only will it discolour the wood, but in extreme cases, can even cause cracking.

Can I stain my hardwood floors darker?

The answer is usually YES!

Many homeowners don't realize that you can change the color of hardwood flooring when you refinish your floors. Yes, it's true…you can go light or dark or red tones or anywhere in between. Most are pleasantly surprised it doesn't matter if you are going light to dark or vice versa.

Do floors look lighter or darker once installed?

Once the flooring has been installed, it opens up in the room and looks lighter than what was chosen. We recommend when you are choosing flooring from a sample, especially in a room with little to no furniture, choose something a shade darker than what you think you want to avoid it looking too light.

What is the natural color of oak?

What Color is Oak Wood? A piece of natural oak wood can take on virtually any hue; from light beige through brown and red. While white oak tends to look more beige-to-brown and red oak looks rosier, it's not always easy to tell the difference between the various types of oak based on color alone.

How do you get color back to faded wood?

Oil and Vinegar

Mix ¾ cup extra virgin olive oil with ¼ cup white vinegar and then apply it with a piece of cheese cloth.

How do you fix sun bleached wood?

If you own a sun-bleached piece of any importance, seek guidance from an established restoration shop. The quickest way to restore color is to remove the finish, sand the bleached wood, then stain or oil before applying a new, suitably colored finish.

How can I make my dull wood shine?

Mix 1 cup Olive Oil and 1/2 cup lemon juice . Pour this mix on a soft piece of cloth and gently rub it on the furniture in circular motion. If the wood looks dry, let the mix set on the surface and then pour some more polish on the cloth and buff the dull surface to shiny one.

How do you fix sun damaged hardwood floors?

Sand and Buff

If you're only sanding the sun-faded sections of flooring, use a 120-grit sanding block. Sand the area until the finish and stain are removed. If you're having trouble getting it off, try medium-grit sandpaper and then use fine sandpaper to smooth it out.

Does polyurethane yellow in the sun?

Oil based polyurethanes turn the floors yellow…and over time, they become more yellow…and sometimes even a bit orangish. It's the UV rays from the sun that turn them a darker yellow or amber and the more they are exposed over time, the yellower they get. This holds true for viirtually all species.

Why do wood floors turn orange?

Infrared light, combined with UV light and visible light, reacts with the finish and slowly turns the finish darker or yellowish. That's why over a long period of time certain types of hardwood floors with oil based polyurethane finish turn that orangey/yellow color that no-one likes.

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