Summer is ALMOST here. Who’s ready?! The sunlight and the extended daylight hours… The backyard BBQs and the rolled-down, top-down drives! But, the sunlight isn’t good for everything. In fact, it can wreak havoc on your furniture if you fail to take the proper precautions.
Sun damage is irreversible. But, there are ways to prevent it and our experts here at Blinds & Drapery Showroom want to help the homeowners of Springfield, PA protect their furniture! Keep reading for 5 tips to keep the UV rats from damaging your indoor items.
- Sealant
The sun’s harsh rays can both fade and darken the wood on your furniture. Luckily, there are three sealant options you can incorporate to keep your couches and bookshelves looking “young.”
- Varnish: this sealant is made from resin, solvents, and oil. It’s usually used as a top coat ranging in finishes from flat to semi-gloss to high-gloss. In addition to protecting your furniture from the harmful UV rays, it also acts as a protectant from water, heat, and everyday wear and tear.
- Polyurethane: this sealant is essentially a liquid form of plastic that hardens and is durable, long lasting, and resistant to scratches. Some don’t prefer this option, though, as it is fairly toxic and can crack under extreme hear or abrupt shock.
- Lacquer: this sealant is solvent-based and will dissolve into previous coats—great for repairing scratches and scuff marks. Note: not recommended for coarse grain wood like oak or softer wood, such as cedar.
- Add quality window blinds
We all love natural light, especially in the summer. But, your furniture doesn’t love it. Add stylish wood or faux wood blinds to your window and angle the slats up/down (depending on where the sun is in the sky) to protect your furniture from direct sunlight. This will keep your room filled with natural light without the negative effects of the UV rays on your prized possessions (and your skin!). - Reposition your area rugs
Keeping your lovely area rugs in the same spot year-round isn’t the best idea. Change it up! Yes, this may mean you have to rearrange your layout a bit from time to time. But, if your space allows for it, rearranging will help keep your rugs from fading unevenly and it will protect your flooring from “furniture-shaped fades.” - Maintain leather furniture
Leather and sunlight are not In fact, leather furniture exposed to direct sunlight will not only fade, it will dry out and, eventually, crack. To avoid re-dyeing or reupholstering, invest in leather conditioner. Applying this creamy mixture twice a year will go a long way in preserving your favorite pieces.
We hope you feel more prepared for the summer! For new window blinds in Springfield, PA to protect your home from UV rays, give the pros here at Blinds & Drapery Showroom a shout! We’d love to help get you ready for the warm, sunny days ahead!
Blinds & Drapery Showroom | 1247 W Chester Pike | Havertown, PA 19083 | 610.853.0900