4 Smart Strategies For Protecting Home Interiors From Damaging UV Rays

If you're like most homeowners, you want your furniture, wall art, paint, and flooring to remain in the best possible shape for as long as possible. One of the best ways to preserve home interiors is to ensure that damaging UV rays are kept at a minimum. However, no one wants to live in a darkened cave, which is why homes have windows. Following are four smart strategies designed to keep harmful UV rays from prematurely fading or discoloring your furnishings, floor, and art. 

Blackout Linings

If you like the look of long, formal drapes in your living room, consider having your drapes fitted with blackout linings. A good blackout lining allows homeowners to use the material of their choice when making drapery selections. These linings come in a variety of thicknesses and strengths for different locations. For instance, you'll need much stronger UV protection in a south-facing window than you would for its counterpart on the opposite end of the home. For areas that don't need maximum UV protection, you can always opt for draperies with thermal backing. If you live in a hot desert climate and need as much protection as you can get, a combination of blackout lining and thermal-backed drapes provides ultimate UV blockage. 

UV-Resistant Fabric

Like clothing, curtains are also available in UV-resistant fabric, including classic materials for curtains such as cotton and linen. These can be excellent choices for kitchen and bedroom windows where you don't want the fuss of liners or screens. You can also purchase sprays at local home and garden retailers designed to add a layer of UV protection to your curtains, but keep in mind that you'll have to reapply these sprays frequently for continued maximum efficiency. 

UV-Resistant Blinds and Shades 

These provide an excellent alternative to windows that aren't suitable for formal draperies. Although any blinds or shades will successfully block out some of the sun's damaging UV rays, those treated with UV protectorates do a far better job. They also allow you to use the curtains of your choice in your window treatments rather than switching to those with built-in UV blockers in the fabric. Keep these blinds and shades pulled down between the hours of 10 am and 4 pm, when UV rays are at their strongest. 

UV-Resistant Window Film 

If you're the type who loves letting the sun shine in certain rooms of the home, UV-resistant window tints may be just what you need. One of the major benefits of UV-resistant window tinting is that it requires no effort on your part, such as remembering to pull down shades or close curtains or drapes.   

 

 


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