Reducing Uv-related Home Damage With Window Treatments

Ultraviolet damage on furnishings and furniture occurs when ultraviolet radiation from the sun causes the materials to degrade or change in colour over time. This is part of the electromagnetic spectrum and is the type of radiation responsible for sunburns, tanning, and skin cancer.

When furniture and furnishings are exposed to direct sunlight for prolonged periods, the ultraviolet radiation can cause the materials to fade, become brittle, crack, or yellow. This is because it breaks down the chemical bonds that hold the materials together. This process can be accelerated in materials that are not UV resistant, such as certain types of fabrics, plastics, and wood finishes.

Common materials that are susceptible to such damage include:

• Upholstery fabrics: Causes these fabrics to fade and weaken, leading to tears and fraying.
• Wood finishes: Causes wood to lose its natural colour, dry out, and crack.
• Leather: Causes leather to fade, dry out, and crack.
• Plastic materials: Causes plastics to become brittle, crack, and yellow.

To prevent these types of damages to furnishings and furniture, it is important to limit their exposure to direct sunlight. This can be done by placing them away from windows or using window treatments such as blinds or shutters in Western Sydney. Additionally, using UV-resistant materials or applying protective coatings can help prevent it.

These harmful rays, if not protected by at least some basic window blinds in Western Sydney, can cause several types of damage to furniture, including:

• Fading: One of the most common types of damage is fading. Sunlight can cause colours to fade over time, making the furniture look dull and worn out.
• Discoloration: In addition to fading, they also cause discoloration. This can happen when the sunlight reacts with the dyes and pigments in the furniture, causing them to change colour.
• Drying and Cracking: They can also cause furniture to dry out, which can lead to cracking, splitting, and warping. This is especially true for wooden furniture, which can become brittle and lose its natural oils.
• Weakening: They also weaken the fibres in furniture, causing them to break down more easily over time. This can lead to tears, holes, and other forms of damage.
• Yellowing: Some materials, such as plastics and certain fabrics, can become yellowed or discoloured. This is caused by a chemical reaction between the ultra violet rays and the materials.

Such incidents can cause furniture to look old and worn out, and can even lead to structural damage that affects its longevity and usefulness. It is important to take steps to protect furniture from these harmful rays, such as keeping it out of direct sunlight or using protective coatings or covers.

Can you reduce UV damage by using window treatments?

Yes, using window treatments such as blinds, shades, or curtains can help reduce such damage to furniture and furnishings by blocking or filtering out ultraviolet rays.

There are several types of window treatments that can be effective at this. Some examples include:

1. Blinds

Vertical or horizontal blinds can be adjusted to control the amount of sunlight entering a room. Blinds made from materials such as aluminium, vinyl, or wood can provide a high level of protection. Blinds can be effective by blocking or filtering out ultra violet rays before they can enter your home. This is because most types of blinds are made from materials that are designed to reflect or absorb sunlight.

Here are some ways that blinds can help reduce such harm:

• Block direct sunlight: Blinds can be adjusted to block direct sunlight from entering a room. This can reduce the amount of radiation that reaches your furnishings and helps prevent fading, discoloration, and other forms of damage.
• Reflect ultraviolet rays: Some types of blinds, such as those made from aluminium or other metals, are designed to reflect sunlight. This can help reduce the amount of radiation that enters your home and minimise damage to your furnishings.
• Absorb ultraviolet rays: Blinds made from certain materials, such as wood or certain types of fabric, can absorb these rays.
• Increase energy efficiency: In addition to reducing damage, blinds can also help increase the energy efficiency of your home. By blocking sunlight, blinds can help keep your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, reducing your energy costs and carbon footprint.

2. Shades

Shades can be made from a variety of materials, including fabrics, bamboo, or woven woods. Some shades are designed specifically to filter out ultraviolet rays and protect furniture and furnishings. Here are some ways that shades can help reduce it:

• Filter UV rays: Shades made from special fabrics or materials can filter out radiation while still allowing natural light to enter your home. This can help reduce the amount of radiation that reaches your furnishings and protect them from damage.
• Block direct sunlight: Shades can be adjusted to block direct sunlight from entering a room.
• Absorb UV rays: These shades, particularly those made from darker-coloured materials, can absorb sunlight.
• Increase energy efficiency: Shades can also help increase the energy of your home.

When choosing shades to reduce UV damage, look for materials that are designed to block or filter out sunlight and be sure to use them consistently to protect your furnishings over time. Additionally, shades with a high Ultraviolet Protection Factor (UPF) can offer greater protection against UV radiation.

3. Curtains

Heavy, tightly woven curtains made from fabrics such as cotton, linen, or velvet can provide effective protection for your home. Curtains can be lined with special fabrics or coatings to increase their UV-blocking ability. They generally:

• Block direct sunlight: Curtains can be closed to block direct sunlight from entering a roo This can reduce the amount of radiation that enters your home.
• Absorb UV rays: Heavy, tightly woven curtains made from fabrics such as cotton, linen, or velvet can absorb sunlight.
• Filter UV rays: Some curtains are made from fabrics that are designed to filter out UV radiation while still allowing natural light to enter your home.
• Add a protective lining: Some curtains can be lined with special fabrics or coatings to increase their UV-blocking ability.

4. Window film

Clear, UV-blocking window film can be applied to windows to reduce the damage caused by strong sunlight. Here are some ways that window film can help prevent it:

• Block UV rays: Window film can be designed to block up to 99% of UV radiation.
• Filter UV rays: They are designed to filter out UV radiation which helps reduce the amount of UV radiation that reaches your furnishings and protect them from damage.
• Increase energy efficiency: By blocking sunlight, window film can help keep your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, reducing your energy costs.
• Enhance privacy: Window film can also be used to enhance privacy by making it more difficult for people to see into your home. This can be particularly useful for ground-level windows or windows that face a busy street.

Some window films may have a tint or reflective coating that affects the appearance of your windows, so consider the aesthetics of the film as well when making your decision.

Using window treatments, like plantation shutters in Penrith, can be an effective way to reduce these types of damage to furniture and furnishings. It is important to choose treatments that are designed to block or filter out ultraviolet rays and to use them consistently to protect your belongings over time.