How to Keep UV Rays from Damaging Your Belongings

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The sun is a source of life, but it’s also a source for damage – especially to your belongings and furnishings.

That’s because the sun’s UV rays can be very destructive when it comes to anything from leather to wood and upholstery. What’s worse is that they can enter your home even if the sun isn’t “out” and is covered by clouds. You’ve experienced this first-hand if you’ve ever been sunburned on a cloudy day.

UV rays break down the material and can cause fading to the material. Over time, it can also degrade the actual integrity of decor that is in your home, such as portraits and photographs.

We want to mitigate the damage caused by UV rays. So how can we do it?

Seal Your Wooden Furniture

Wooden furniture can be faded – or darkened – by UV rays, but sealant can protect it from harm.

There are a few different types of sealant you can choose:

  • Wax and oil: All you need is a rag to manually apply these, but they’re not as durable as other options and require a lot of upkeep.

  • Varnish: Varnish comes in a lot of different finishes and can be applied easily with a brush, but it takes a day to dry and around seven days to cure. But it can be a resilient form of protection.

  • Lacquer: This is a resin-based substance that can dry quickly and provide a hard shell for high durability. But it doesn’t go well with certain types of wood, like oak or cedar.

  • Polyurethane: Made from plastic, polyurethane can be expensive but is a very long-lasting and durable sealant. It can crack under heat, though.

  • Shellac: Shellac is made with a mixture of resin and alcohol solvent, and dries very quickly. It isn’t as durable or scratch and wear-resistant, and doesn’t hold up as well against heat. But, it can be very attractive for most types of rich woods.

No matter what type of sealant you choose, it’s important to use one for your wooden furniture.

Cover Your Windows with Protective Screens or Shutters

The best defense against UV rays starts at the front – your windows.

Protective screen fabric designed to guard against UV rays can let in light and warmth while keeping out the UV rays themselves. It can guard against fading of upholstery while also helping to regulate the internal temperature of your home – something that comes in handy during the summer.

Hunter Douglas offers some of the best sun shades and sheers designed to regulate temperature and help protect your belongings from UV ray damage. Shutters can form an even more resilient form of protection throughout the entire day.

If you want to learn more about how Hunter Douglas window treatments and fashions can protect your furniture from the elements, contact the team at Rainbow Paint, your local Hunter Douglas dealer.