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.
Wood is a very photosensitive material, which means it reacts to sunlight. Depending on its type, sunlight can cause the wood on your floors to darken or fade. Regular window glass blocks around a quarter of the sun's UV rays, the key cause of floor fading.
Exposure to UV rays lightens certain types of wood and darkens others. Protect your floors by applying a sun-resistant sealant (varnish, lacquer, polyurethane, shellac, or wax or oil finish) directly to your wood floors.
Why Hardwood Floors Fade and Change Color…
Wood is extremely photosensitive – which means it reacts to sunlight. You only have to put a piece of unfinished wood out in direct sunlight for a short time with part of it covered to see how the sun's ultra violet rays affect it.
Hardwood floors turn gray after their protective polyurethane coating wears off and they're exposed to moisture. To get the gray out of hardwood floors, you'll need to sand and reseal them. If you want to completely change the color of your hardwood floor, this is a great time to do so.
Both oxalic acid and two-part peroxide bleach will lighten darkened wood, and since oxalic acid is the easier one to use, it's best to start with that. You mix the crystals with water to make a saturated solution and then spread it over the dark wood or the whole floor.
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.
Non-glare glass and even specially coated ultraviolet glass does little to protect art from fading. While glass manufacturers and retailers might attempt to convince you differently, museum curators know the truth.
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.
To effectively clean your old wood floor using vinegar, mix two spoons of white vinegar with 2.5 gallons of warm water inside a mop bucket. You can also add olive oil into the mixture for extra shine. Dip a mop into the solution and wring it before wiping the wood floor surface.
Mix thoroughly ¾ cup of oil (canola oil is perfect) and ¼ cup of vinegar (white or apple cider). Follow application instructions, and your wood pieces will be looking as good as new in no time! You can also repair scuffs by rubbing them with a walnut!
Another method of ensuring that your glass is UV protective is by applying a window tint or film to the glass. These tints and films are available in a range of colours from completely clear through to varying shades of gray and they block up to 99 percent of UV rays.
Double glazing reduces the amount of UV light in your home and its effects of fading and damage. The combination of different glass options can further reduce fading by reducing the amount of heat (and visible light) radiated through the double glazing.
Does indirect sunlight cause fading? Yes. While indirect sunlight won't fade a print as quickly, it will start to fade without the protection of UV glass or coating.
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.
Like all organic materials, wood changes color when exposed to the elements, including light. This is due to the process of oxidation, which simply cannot be prevented. Exposure to light is usually the biggest culprit causing discoloration in hardwood floors.
They are a result of the chemical reaction between iron, water, and wood tannins. These stains may appear when remnants of abrasive minerals were left on the hardwood before the water-based finish was applied. Tannic Acid Discoloration – Tannic acid is a specific type of tannin found in trees.
Please note that refinishing hardwood floors gray is challenging and should be handled by an expert, especially one with experience in gray and white washed floors. First, the sanding must be immaculate. Stain should be consistent and applied in strips to avoid any cross-grain color-variant lines.
When it comes to grey washed hardwood floor, the look isn't all that different to traditional white washed flooring, it's just a case of it boasting a slightly different colour. With an almost pearly look, grey washed floors range from extremely light and airy to a deeper, more true grey colour.
Apply a gray epoxy floor paint to the floor, and cover over the wood with at least one coat of epoxy floor paint. Use a roller or a paintbrush to paint the floor. Cut in around the edges with the brush, and then roll out the larger areas in the room.
Modern hardwood flooring can add both style and drama to any subtle room in your home. One way to achieve a chic, modern look in your home is to mix light and dark colors for a striking effect. For more rustic visuals, opt for hardwood flooring options with surface treatments such as wire-brushing.