We know that choosing the perfect shade of hardwood flooring for your home and your style can be a big decision. After all, this floor will be the foundation for the aesthetic of your room for years to come. It sets the tone of a room and makes a statement about your taste in home decorating. Are you wanting this room to feel bright, warm, elegant, or sleek? Each of these individual directions are firstly determined by the color of your floor.
Here's the thing you have to consider, though; the color of your hardwood floor could change over time. You see, wood floors are photosensitive, meaning that they often lighten when exposed to light - both natural and artificial - over time. The amount that their color changes depends on the type of wood you have installed, as some woods are more photosensitive than others. This isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it is something to consider when deciding what kind of hardwood floor you want to spend your money on.
So, what can be done about the photosensitivity in your floors? Well, you can start by asking your flooring expert just how the type of wood you're interested in will change over time when exposed to light. Some brighten, others change color all together. For instance, cherry wood, the most photosensitive of all woods, will transition from a pink tone to more of a red-brown as time goes on. Poplar's purple undertones, on the other hand, will eventually change to a rich chocolate brown when exposed to light. Learning how your hardwood floor changes will allow you to plan ahead and decide if your style will transition well with the new color.
Another direction you can take is simply minimizing the effects. First, you can invest in some good curtains. If your floor is in a room that gets a lot of sunlight during the day, close your blinds or curtains to block the sun whenever you're not using the room. Again, understanding how your floor is affected by sunlight will help you determine how diligent you need to be here.
If curtains aren't your cup of tea or you the room is a common space you use regularly, you can apply a UV protectant film on your windows. This won't prevent the effects of photosensitivity, but it will slow the process down. Honestly, this is a worthwhile step to take regardless of whether or not you use the curtains. Plus, it's inexpensive, so why not?
Third, you can tap into your inner interior designer. Rearrange rugs and furniture periodically to make sure your floor ages evenly. Have you ever taken a photograph off the wall only to find a dark space left behind in the same spot? Imagine how much more noticeable this will be if it happens to your floor! No, thank you!
You can also take advantage of the aging process and use it as an excuse to redecorate. This will keep both your floors and your home in style. Plus, it's fun!
Lastly, if you really feel like it, refinishing your floor is always an option. It's more time consuming than the afore mentioned steps, but it will restore your floor to it's original color and glory. Just be sure to do your research before taking on this task so that you don't damage your floor by accident.
No matter what you decide, be sure to enjoy your floor. You've made a fantastic choice with hardwood flooring and deserve to be proud of it.
Happy flooring!