A Surefire Way to Prevent Sun Damage Indoors
Why let light ruin your furniture, floors and artwork, when the solution could be as simple as applying high-quality window film?
I am a sun worshipper. Sixty years of living in Seattle will do that to you. I simply cannot get enough sun.
But even I know that all that wonderful sunlight pouring through the window is not doing anything good for my furnishings, my floors and my artwork.
But even I know that all that wonderful sunlight pouring through the window is not doing anything good for my furnishings, my floors and my artwork.
Second, most of us want light to come into our rooms. After all, why else would we have windows? But the sheer presence of visible light will, over time, cause the slow but sure ruination of your valuables.
So that’s what window treatments are for, right? Not so much. They have to be closed to be effective. But treatments that cover an entire window can be very costly. Just imagine the money required to cover these gorgeous windows with fabric — or even blinds. Not to mention, who would want to?
So that’s what window treatments are for, right? Not so much. They have to be closed to be effective. But treatments that cover an entire window can be very costly. Just imagine the money required to cover these gorgeous windows with fabric — or even blinds. Not to mention, who would want to?
And what about skylights? Skylights let in a great amount of natural light but are a primary cause of damage to furnishings. They also cause rooms to heat up.
“But,” you say, “I have these really expensive new windows that are low-E and energy efficient. Won’t they protect my stuff?”
Not really. New windows are designed with insulation in mind: They are built to keep heat in, not to keep light out. “But,” you say, “the stickers on my new windows claim that they block 85 percent of UV rays.” That’s good — just not good enough. You know how a 5.5 earthquake is appreciably worse than a 5.0? It’s a logarithmic progression.
UV rays are the same way. Blocking 45 percent is desperately less than 85 percent, and 85 percent is still not nearly enough. What our stuff needs is 99.9 percent protection. This will slow the fading and damage dramatically. (Unless you live in a perpetually dark room, some damage is inevitable.)
“But,” you say, “I have these really expensive new windows that are low-E and energy efficient. Won’t they protect my stuff?”
Not really. New windows are designed with insulation in mind: They are built to keep heat in, not to keep light out. “But,” you say, “the stickers on my new windows claim that they block 85 percent of UV rays.” That’s good — just not good enough. You know how a 5.5 earthquake is appreciably worse than a 5.0? It’s a logarithmic progression.
UV rays are the same way. Blocking 45 percent is desperately less than 85 percent, and 85 percent is still not nearly enough. What our stuff needs is 99.9 percent protection. This will slow the fading and damage dramatically. (Unless you live in a perpetually dark room, some damage is inevitable.)
So what is a person to do? For a couple of decades, I have given a two-word response to that question: window film. I know, I know — you are probably visualizing a 1980s car with dark film peeling away from its windows. Banish that image from your mind.
Modern films are among the best ways to deal with sun and light issues in your home. Good-quality solar window films, like those by Vista, 3M or Lumor, reject 99.9 percent of the sun’s harmful rays.
Modern films are among the best ways to deal with sun and light issues in your home. Good-quality solar window films, like those by Vista, 3M or Lumor, reject 99.9 percent of the sun’s harmful rays.
Solar window film (this is Night Vision 25 window tint) can reduce 50 to 87 percent of the sun’s glare, while allowing you to enjoy the outside views. Look at the difference between the left and right windows in this “before” and “after” photo.
Can you see how reducing glare actually enhances views while easing eye strain? In addition, window tints can significantly reduce heat and save on energy bills without changing the look of existing windows or doors.
Can you see how reducing glare actually enhances views while easing eye strain? In addition, window tints can significantly reduce heat and save on energy bills without changing the look of existing windows or doors.
Window films are installed on the insides of your windows by a professional installer. I don’t recommend this as a DIY project, primarily because of warranty issues.
That leads me to a short warranty discussion. Most window manufacturers will void their warranty if film is applied to their windows. This is primarily because enterprising do-it-yourselfers have applied auto film to their windows, often causing seal failure and even glass breakage. Your professional can explain this in depth.
Reputable companies offer an override warranty. Buy it. Film all by itself is very reasonably priced, and the warranty is dirt cheap.
Once your film is installed, the window can still be washed like any other window — just never use a razor blade on it.
Tell us: How do you manage your home’s sunlight in summer?
More: 7 Window Treatments That Can Lower Your Energy Bills
That leads me to a short warranty discussion. Most window manufacturers will void their warranty if film is applied to their windows. This is primarily because enterprising do-it-yourselfers have applied auto film to their windows, often causing seal failure and even glass breakage. Your professional can explain this in depth.
Reputable companies offer an override warranty. Buy it. Film all by itself is very reasonably priced, and the warranty is dirt cheap.
Once your film is installed, the window can still be washed like any other window — just never use a razor blade on it.
Tell us: How do you manage your home’s sunlight in summer?
More: 7 Window Treatments That Can Lower Your Energy Bills
Dealing with these culprits presents two tricky issues. The first is that damaging UV rays are present whether or not the sun is shining. Even on cloudy or rainy days, this silent destroyer is at work.
In Seattle clients would start calling me around the first of May, saying, “My sofa has faded! How can that be? The sun hasn’t been out in 200 days!”