After a few months of use, have you ever moved a rug and discovered that the flooring underneath is lighter in color than the exposed section of the floor? Since many materials exposed to direct sunlight lighten up naturally, you would think of it as counter-intuitive. However, this is not the case with hardwood flooring.
How Hardwood Floors Change Color Over Time?
The darkening of hardwood floors is due to three factors: ultraviolet (UV), visible, and infrared light. By nature, wood is very photosensitive. When the combination of these three forms of light interacts with the hardwood finish, the floors gradually change color.
Naturally, the degree to which hardwood flooring darkens varies by type. Certain types, such as Tigerwood flooring, respond rapidly to UV radiation and darken much more quickly. Other hardwoods, such as Hickory and Red Oak, lighten more slowly than Tigerwood. This is important to consider while choosing a hardwood floor for your house. Remember that most floors will change color within three weeks after installation.
How to Deal with Physical and Aesthetic Changes?
Although this is a universal phenomenon, there’s nothing much to be concerned about. It is something that hardwood does. Embrace the idea of how wonderful hardwood floors look even after the color change. Learn to appreciate the natural rustic patina, or have them sanded and polished to restore them to their original condition.
To conclude, hardwood flooring changes over time. Try to look at it as an opportunity rather than a source of worry. While there are some preventive measures you can take, try to be open to the idea of adapting to new colors. Also, consult your flooring manufacturer to ensure that you choose the wood suitable for your house — you need to be aware of what you’re getting yourself into before beginning with installation. Click here for a free consultation.