Sunlight can cause even high-quality, fade-resistant flooring to dull and change color over time. In Regina, Saskatchewan, homes experience bright summer sunshine and long daylight hours, which can expose hardwood floors to extended periods of direct sunlight. Hardwood flooring can be especially vulnerable to sun damage, prompting some homeowners to search for alternatives. If you’re set on hardwood floors, here’s what to know and what to do about faded hardwood floors.

Do Hardwood Floors Fade in Sunlight?

Most hardwood floors will fade to lighter colors or shades when exposed to direct sunlight over time. A few hours of sunlight each day will eventually cause solid wood floors to change color, though some species and finishes may be more resilient than others or be harder to spot.

Fading is a natural process that occurs on all types of wood, in nature and in your living room.

  • UV Light: Ultraviolet radiation breaks down chemical bonds in wood, with significant changes to the wood’s pigment. Visible light has less of an impact than UV light, but it will also change the look of wood flooring.
  • Heat: Infrared light, expressed as heat, accelerates chemical changes and decomposition. At the same time, heat can dry out wood flooring, which often makes it more susceptible to fading, warping, and contracting.

How Different Wood Species Fade

Each species reacts to sunlight differently, and the long-term effects vary by grain pattern, stain or finish, and factors like average indoor humidity levels.

In most cases, however:

  • Oak, maple, ash, and hickory will “bleach” or lighten with consistent sun exposure.
  • Jatoba, American cherry, and walnut will darken in direct sunlight over time. Many homeowners like this effect, calling it a “patina”.

For Regina homeowners, the direction your windows face and how much direct sunlight reaches your floors can influence where fading is most noticeable. Large south-facing windows and sunny living areas may be particularly worth monitoring throughout the year.

Read More: Installing Wood Flooring Over Concrete

How to Fix Sun-faded Hardwood Floors

In most cases, homeowners will need to sand and completely refinish the entire floor to fix sun damage. Fortunately, many solid wood floors can be refinished several times, so you’ll be able to take preventative measures in the future to avoid having to refinish your floors again for a decade or two. Engineered wood floors, which have a real wood veneer, are also susceptible to sunlight damage, but can only be refinished once or twice, if at all, depending on the thickness of the veneer.

If you notice uneven coloring where rugs, furniture, or other objects have shielded parts of your floor from sunlight, keep in mind that refinishing may be needed to achieve a more consistent appearance. A flooring professional can help you determine whether refinishing is appropriate for your particular hardwood floors.

Tips to Prevent Faded Hardwood Floors

Get ahead of UV damage with a little creativity and planning.

  • Use window treatments. Add blinds, shades, or curtains to south and west-facing windows, or any that let in sunlight. Keep windows covered during peak daylight hours. Consider adding UV-blocking film if you can’t live without the windows uncovered to let in that glorious desert sun!
  • Get gardening. Plant shade trees or shrubs to reduce direct sunlight for portions of the day. For Regina properties, choose plants suited to Saskatchewan's climate and consider how much shade they'll provide during the sunniest parts of the year.
  • Choose wisely. Look for UV-resistant wood floor finishes that include UV inhibitors. Water-based polyurethane finishes provide superior UV protection compared to oil-based alternatives.
  • Keep humidity in check. Keep your home's indoor relative humidity within the range recommended by your flooring manufacturer. Regina's cold winters and heated indoor spaces can cause humidity levels to fluctuate, so maintaining a consistent indoor environment can help protect hardwood from seasonal movement and related damage.

If sun damage has you worried, consider fade-resistant flooring like porcelain tile, natural stone, and vinyl products with suitable UV-resistant properties. While these materials may be less susceptible to sunlight-related color changes than some wood floors, performance still varies by product and finish.

Discover the Perfect Flooring for Your Home, At Home

Floor Coverings International® of Regina offers homeowners throughout Regina and the surrounding Saskatchewan communities a convenient floor shopping experience. Find the right flooring for your home without ever leaving home with our Mobile Flooring Showroom®. With over 3,000 options onboard and paired with expert recommendations from our local team, it’s the stress-free way to elevate your space.

Whether you're considering new hardwood, exploring alternative flooring materials, or looking for ways to protect the floors you already have, our team can help you compare options for your home and lifestyle.

Start your project by scheduling a free, in-home consultation!