How to Deal With Photosensitive Hardwood Floors

Speak to your hardwood floor salesperson. Ask the salesperson about the likely color changes your floor will experience from exposure to UV. Redecorate your room as the floor changes colors to match the new colors resulting from the exposure. This includes paint, furniture, wallpaper, anything you wish to change to incorporate the changing floor color, rather than allowing the color to clash with the rest of the room.

Slow the effects of UV on the hardwood floor by hanging heavy curtains in the windows to block the sunlight. You can also install a UV window film on the windows overlooking the hardwood floor. Wet the windows with window cleaner and a squeegee, and then pull the paper backing from the film. Press the film against the window to cover the surface with an effective UV blocker. Blocking UV will only slow the color changes, though, because no block is 100 percent effective.

Move any furnishings in the room around often, at least every six months. Furniture left in place will create shadows on the floor where the presence of the furniture blocks the UV, while the floor surrounding the piece colors. Moving the furniture equalizes the floor exposure to UV, keeping the color change constant.