To create a cozy, rustic home aesthetic, many homeowners use wood for flooring, cabinetry, and all kinds of furnishings. However, lumber can be fragile, despite its reputation as a sturdy material. Factors such as sunlight can harm your wooden home accents, so knowing what to look for is vital to avoid damage. Learn about the effects of ultraviolet light on wood installations so that you can better protect your home.
Alters Color
Color change is one of the most common forms of damage that wooden installations can sustain. Harsh UV lights often fade rich, naturally occurring hues. Depending on the species of wood, you may also see it yellowing over time as sunlight alters the color. It’s essential to protect your home accents by installing them away from windows or using special sealing products to maintain vibrant colors.
Dulls Finish
Ultraviolet light affects wood installations around your home by dulling the finish as well as fading the color. Sunlight breaks down that shiny coating on hardwood floors and other furnishings, leaving them looking dingy and lifeless. Harsh rays combined with heat also damage protective coatings on lumber over time, making it susceptible to wear and tear. If you want to extend the life of your hardwood floors and other wooden accents, be sure to keep an eye out for any signs of dulling.
Causes Shrinkage
When wooden installations are exposed to direct sunlight, the material could dry out. Dry wood shrinks under ultraviolet light, making the wood more prone to cracking and splitting. This kind of damage is unsightly and will require immediate repair if it occurs in your home’s structural components, such as support beams. Provide adequate cooling to areas with wooden fixtures and protect fixtures from the sun to avoid this problem.
Damages Integrity
Ultimately, sunlight damages the integrity of your wooden home accents. Ultraviolet light and heat make lumber weak and brittle. Damaged wood not only looks unpleasant but also creates safety hazards around the home that are entirely avoidable. To improve the longevity of your wood installations, be sure to perform frequent preventative maintenance on reclaimed wood and fresh lumber to maintain their appearance and protect your materials.
Adorning your home with wood furnishings is an investment, so make sure you protect them from the elements. Now that you know what kind of damage to be aware of, you can better care for your wood furnishings and have the home of your dreams.
