Wood is a lovely, organic material that can give any house warmth and personality. However, wood can alter over time, especially when exposed to light, like other natural materials. Photosensitivity is a perfectly common process that doesn't necessarily indicate that your wood furniture is harmed.
Many people welcome the aging-related changes in wood because they can give it a special patina and beauty. But there are a few things you can do to stop or slow down the process if you don't like how the colour of your wood flooring is changing.
How Does Photosensitivity Work?
The degree of wood's photosensitivity determines how much it changes colour when exposed to light. The quicker a wood changes colour when exposed to light, the more photosensitive it is. The mechanism through which light energy causes chemical changes to occur is referred to as a "photochemical reaction."
The most well-known illustration is how tanning is brought on by sunshine. Wood's photochemical reaction occurs at a significantly slower rate and is not well understood. However, it is understood that the wood's photosensitivity is caused by a few extractives.
The most frequent change is a darkening of the wood's hue. The type of wood, the finish, and the quantity of exposure to sunshine will all affect the change that takes place.
Are some woods more likely to change colour than others?
Yes, various wood types will change colour at varying speeds.
For example, lighter woods, such as birch and maple, will change colour more quickly than darker woods, such as mahogany and walnut. This is so that the wood grain is more visible and responds more to sunlight and other environmental factors. Lighter woods have a higher degree of transparency.
Darker woods, on the other hand, are less transparent and aren't as influenced by sunshine. Because of this, they frequently have a deeper hue that endures longer.
Here are a few instances:
BEECH: Over time, the colour changes to a moderate extent, with the orange hues fading slightly and becoming amber.
EUROPEAN MAPLE: Over time, it takes on a richer golden hue.
CHERRY: Darkens to a dark reddish colour, changing rapidly and powerfully.
ASH: With time, it transitions from a lighter shade to a straw or brown colour.
MAPLE: Turns from creamy white to golden in hue.
Over time, JARRAH's colour darkens considerably.
WHITE OAK: Darkens or takes on an amber hue.
WALNUT: Adopts a paler golden-brown hue (the only one that gets lighter over time).
JATOBA: Develops a deeper, almost vivid crimson hue over time.
As can be seen in the table above, some wood species, particularly exotic wood species like Jatoba but also Tigerwood and Cumaru, have significant colour changes. They might eventually show up in a completely different colour.
So, before selecting your wood floor, seek professional guidance on how the colour of your wood floor will vary over time. And don't be upset if the hue of your brand-new wood floor differs from the worn-out sample you viewed in the store!
How can I stop the colour of my wood floor from fading?
As we've seen, UV radiation is the key factor contributing to colour changes in your wood floor. And the truth is that there isn't much you can do to stop that process entirely.
Nevertheless, there are things you can do to ensure that your floor at least changes colour evenly, without having certain parts that are significantly darker or lighter than others.
Install window curtains and blinds
To block sunlight and avoid bleaching, consider using window coverings. Some UV radiation that causes fading can be blocked out by curtains or blinds.
Periodically rearrange your furniture
Try moving your furniture around sometimes to avoid exposing your wood floor to UV rays, which can cause colour changes. By doing this, the light will be distributed more evenly and no area will receive excessive exposure.
Regularly rearrange your rugs
Rearranging your rugs on your wood floors from time to time can assist keep the colour from shifting unevenly. As we've seen, the colour of your floor will naturally alter where the sun shines more directly, so by shifting your rugs, you can maintain the colour more uniform.
You can always hire a specialist to have your floor refinished if you are still unhappy with the colour. You'll start over fresh and your floor will look its finest as a result.
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