How to Prevent Fading with Motorized Shades

A family photograph. A painting from a local artist. Your favorite books. Our prized possessions often mean the most to us because they’re irreplaceable and hold memories within their materials. 

But unfortunately, home furnishings are vulnerable to fading from the sun—especially here in Hawaii. Have you ever noticed a picture on the wall has changed color over time, or a sofa doesn’t look the way it once did?

Exposure to sunlight can wreak havoc on colors and dyes, but there’s an easy and convenient way to prevent fading: motorized shades. Here’s how ultraviolet fading happens and how motorized shades can protect your home on Hawaii Island, HI.

SEE ALSO: Achieve a Sleek and Modern Look with Hidden Technology 

How Does Sunlight Fade Colors?

Let’s get a little technical. The official term for color fading is photodegradation. Photodegradation is caused by a combination of visible light, infrared light, and ultraviolet light. Ultraviolet rays cause the most sun damage as the sun breaks down chemical bonds in fabrics and paper. This breakdown of chemical bonds is what causes colors to fade. 

How Quickly Does Fading Happen? 

Some objects, like paper and wood, are more prone to fading, while other materials reflect light and won’t fade as quickly. Some colors are even more vulnerable to fading, especially red, followed by orange and yellow. 

And how quickly can it happen? Paper can be affected by sun exposure in mere hours. Paint on walls can be expected to fade within five and ten years. Fabrics will fade after cumulative weeks of exposure. And after a few years, you may even notice hardwood floors have faded. Lift the rug, and you’ll see darker wood preserved from years ago.  

How Do Motorized Shades Help? 

It’s hard to remember to lower the shades every day, and you may not be home when the sun is strongest. You could leave the shades drawn all day, but that may create a stuffy, unpleasant living environment. 

Instead, try motorized shades. Motorized shades can be programmed through a smart home system to automatically lower when the sun strikes your windows, blocking infrared and ultraviolet light. Sophisticated lighting control systems like Lutron pair shades with sunlight sensors that detect when the sun hits the window. Once the sensors detect sunlight, the motorized shades are automatically cued to lower, creating a barrier between the interior and the harmful UV rays. 

And once the sun has passed in the sky, your motorized shades can rise again, allowing natural light to filter into your home for a comfortable ambiance. This way, you can enjoy the benefits of natural light without compromising the longevity of your cherished home furnishings. Motorized shades will keep your art, books, furniture, and floors bright and colorful for years to come. 

 

Not only can motorized shades protect your home’s interiors, but they’ll also save you time and keep rooms cool in the summertime. Ready to learn more? Send us a message in the chat box below or call (808) 842-4646 to hear about our lighting control solutions today.