All About Fading
The three major factors that cause fabric fading are:
- Ultraviolet Radiation
- Heat [infra-red]
- Visible Light
These three factors account for over 90% of all fabric fading.
Clear single pane glass [1/8 inch to 1/4 inch] will reject 23% to 28% of the ultraviolet rays. Insulated glass is slightly better at 36% to 41%.
Vista and Llumar window films installed on glass reject 99% of all ultraviolet radiation!
No window film can completely eliminate fading but…
Vista and Llumar solar control window films will provide the maximum protection.
Four Seasons of Fading
While most would consider summer to be the season the sun does the most damage to furniture, draperies, carpets, etc., a closer examination of the facts will show this isn’t the case.
Though the sun is “hotter” during the summer months, Ultraviolet penetration is the same all year long. In fact, in many situations it can actually be worse during the fall, winter and spring. How is this possible?
- The leaves are gone, and with them the shade they provide.
- There is a greater tendency to leave your curtains open to let the “heat” in.
- The sun is at a lower angle to the earth, allowing U.V. rays to enter your home more directly.
- South facing windows are exposed to U.V. from dawn to dusk.