Faded furniture and floors from the sun

Quick answer: Fading of floors, rugs, fabric and art is caused mostly by ultraviolet light, with heat and visible light contributing. Florida sun through untreated sliders and picture windows can fade a room noticeably within a few years. Window film blocks nearly all UV without darkening the glass, and it's the most cost-effective fix short of replacing the windows. Call or text 772-243-1234 for samples on your own glass.

What causes fading

Ultraviolet light does most of the damage, breaking down dyes and finishes. Heat accelerates it. Visible light contributes. A west-facing wall of sliders in a Treasure Coast home delivers all three every afternoon, which is why the rug by the lanai doors fades first and the hardwood near the slider goes lighter than the rest of the floor.

What window film does

Solar film blocks nearly all of the ultraviolet light coming through the glass and a large share of the heat. Nearly clear films do this with almost no visible change, so the room doesn't get darker and the view doesn't change. Fading slows dramatically. It won't restore what's already faded, but it stops the clock.

Where to put it

Sliders to the lanai, west- and south-facing windows, and any glass over a rug, wood floor or art. Whole-house is common because most Florida homes have sun on every side at some point in the day.

Rugs and art

A rug by the lanai doors fades in a visible rectangle within a couple of years of Florida afternoons. Art on the wall opposite a wall of sliders fades more slowly but permanently. Film on the sliders protects both, and nearly clear film does it without changing how the room looks.