Chasing shade
How can we welcome the sun into our homes, but safeguard furnishings? Colleen Hawkes reports.
It’s March – officially autumn – and you’ve probably noticed how much lower the sun is these days. And that change was noticeable even back in February, right when the heat of the sun was at its most intense.
Not only do you find yourself putting your hand up to screen the sun from your eyes even while indoors, you also notice the sun pouring into the house, all over the furniture, carpet or timber floorboards.
We all know about using sun block on our skin as a defence again New Zealand’s ultra-high UV levels, but what about our home furnishings and artworks? How can we protect them?
While even indirect sunlight can cause damage, the most effective way to prevent fading and fabric deterioration is to keep out the sun in the first place. That’s one of the reasons retractable awnings and timber shutters are so popular. You can tilt shutters to ensure the sun’s rays don’t penetrate directly. Venetian blinds work on the same principal.
Other homeowners and designers swear by sun filter blinds. These allow light through, while blocking out almost all of the UV rays. The blinds will protect your furniture and floors, but the downside is they do affect your outlook, while not removing it entirely. Many homeowners choose these for beach houses, or use them when they are away from the house during the day.
Interior designer Andrea Robertson of Rangiora says she usually suggests sunscreen blinds or sheer curtains, depending on a client’s budget. “Some form of window treatment that stops the sun but lets you see out is best.”
The designer also says it’s important to use UV-resistant fabrics. “UV protection is best when it’s within the entire fabric, not something that is applied afterwards,” she notes.
Other solutions include thermal window film, which can be applied to the inside of your windows. Companies offering this service say the film blocks 99 per cent of damaging UV rays. The film can also help reduce heat gain in summer and heat loss in winter.
A good-quality film should not impact on your view – the windows will be virtually indistinguishable from clear panes. And it won’t alter the aesthetics of a character villa.
Chris Kenny of Smart Energy Solutions says the installed area for a window film job can be anywhere from 12 square metres for a living room or as much as 30 square metres for a whole house. “The cost for this ranges from around $3500 to $9500. It delivers both a reduction of winter heat loss by 44 per cent versus single-pane glass, as well as protection from UV damage from the sun.”
It’s also possible to get your windows coated with a liquid that blocks 99 per cent of UV rays. A spokesperson from Thermal Glass Coat says it’s the heat, as well as the UV rays that do the damage to home furnishings. “At this time of the year, the sun also comes in a lot further and therefore can do more damage.”
The company says the cost of coating all the windows in an average three-bedroom house is about $4000 plus GST. However, some homeowners just get windows in the living area treated. The thermal coating also helps to block the heat to keep homes cooler in summer and warmer in winter.
There are other ways to minimise sun damage inside the house – material choice can make a difference, Robertson says. And unfortunately, this is one time when natural materials are less desirable: artificial fabrics are better at blocking UV rays.
Bach owner and artist Mela Greenslade upholstered the furniture in the family’s Marlborough Sounds bach with colourful outdoor fabrics. As well as providing superior UV protection, these fabrics are hard wearing.
“I used these for all my sofas and cushions because they are super practical,” she says. “Luckily, there are many stunning outdoor fabrics now.”
Many upholstery fabrics have a light resistance classification on the label – five demonstrates strong colour fastness, while a number one indicates minimal resistance to fading. Solution-dyed acrylic and polyester fabrics have significantly greater light resistance than natural fabrics, which makes them a good choice for Roman blinds. Bright colours are also more likely to fade more quickly than lighter shades.
Solution-dyed acrylic carpets, including SPF nylon carpets, will not fade in direct sunlight nearly as much as a wool carpet.
And if you love the look of timber flooring, you may want to choose a modern laminate for a particularly sunny area, as it’s a lot less likely to fade than a traditional hardwood floor.
Art is best protected by ensuring it’s not hung in an area that receives direct sunlight. If you can prevent the UV rays from entering the room at all, through window film or coating, even better. You can also have works framed in a special glass that prevents UV rays from penetrating.