Florida…
Many things come to mind when you think about our great state; beaches, palm trees, Disney World, sunshine. It’s no surprise that Florida is called the “Sunshine State” with one of the highest national averages for most sunny days per year. Though with all of this sunshine, comes some slight complications.
That expensive piece of artwork, the custom leather furniture that you just purchased and even the paint on your walls fade in the sun, which makes having a nice interior in your home somewhat difficult at times. Well, worry no more! We’re here to help you protect your home’s interior from sun damage with these helpful options.
Window Treatments
Perhaps one of the easiest and biggest compliments to your home’s interior are window treatments. Plantation shutters are a great way to allow light to filter in when you want it to and being able to shut it out when you don’t. Plantation shutters have louvers that open and close, and even come with an option for a midrail. A midrail allows you to close the top portion of your shutters, for example, while leaving the lower portion open.
Blinds and shades are great as well. Many blinds have different fabric options to add a little pizazz to a room. Take woven shades, for example. This shade option comes in many different materials, like bamboo and grass. Other roller shades are more screen-like and add a subtle look to the room, while protecting your things from the sun’s harmful rays.
Impact Windows & Doors
Perhaps a little more permanent, impact windows and doors are installed to protect your home from the elements, including hurricanes and the sun. Impact windows and doors are made up of insulated glass, making this an energy efficient choice. The “low e” option acts as a heat shield, reflecting heat, while allowing light to pass through. This is a great choice for overall protection for whatever Florida weather decides to throw our way.
Find out more about how impact windows and doors can benefit your home here.
Window Tinting
Another way to protect your home’s interior from sun damage is tinting your windows. This option is also a long-term option, but it allows you to put whatever priceless piece of artwork up wherever you’d like or move that leather sofa right next to the window. Many people choose to do an “invisible tinting” option, as to avoid the cave-like look of what you may see on a car, for example.
Floorplan Design
Keeping in mind where your home sits in conjunction with where and when the sun comes up is important, and designing your floorplan around that is a huge help. Try to arrange your furniture to a point where, say, a fabric sofa is not facing a window where the sun beats down for most of the day. Another tip is to rotate furniture around your home. Have a couple of matching chairs? Put one in the living room and one in the bedroom. Then swap them out periodically throughout the year, so that one chair’s fabric doesn’t fade more than the other.
Fade-resistant Options & Furniture Coating
There are fabric options that are fade-resistant. Whether or not you feel like they belong in your home is entirely up to you. Look through a furniture catalogue and try to find something that won’t fade in the sun. That way, you won’t have to worry about it! You can also specially coat your wood furniture to protect it from fading as well. Find out how to do it yourself with these helpful tips!
Protecting Your Things
You’ve worked hard to get what you have. Don’t let the sun destroy them! Take it upon yourself to choose the right option for your home. Whether it’s a woven shade or simply doing some creative floorplanning, make sure to keep in mind that nothing is immune to the sun. You wouldn’t spend the day at the beach without sunscreen, so why leave your home unprotected?
