Blinds Shades

Having a home that receives the benefits of sunshine, especially in the colder months, has both positives and negatives. Direct sunlight can harm antique furnishings and fabrics causing serious damage. Just as most people protect their skin from the potential damage ultraviolet light can cause, so should antique owners consider using vertical blinds, shades or other window coverings to protect their collection. Preventing sunshine from doing damage is always the better alternative to repair.

Antique furniture has meaning and value for most people. Whether it is an heirloom bedspread, a treasured and restored antique table, a collection of old photographs or watercolors, it is important to protect and maintain their state. Sunshine, particularly in the warmer months, can cause damage to furniture and artworks leaving them not only looking bleached or mottled but also degrading fabric and wood.

Collectors of antiques should realize that their pieces require a certain amount of care to maintain their appearance. Consideration should be taken in choosing the placement of antiques in order to prevent them from losing original appearance. Sunshine can cause damage to the original materials and lacquers used to finish antique tables, chairs, sideboards or any other piece made of wood.

Even on cloudy days the ultraviolet rays from the sun can harm wood antique furnishings. Owners should be aware that keeping their antiques in direct sunlight, even for short periods of the day, may cause irreparable damage. Other sources of heat, such as heating ducts and potbelly stoves should also be avoided to maintain the integrity of wood antique furnishings.

Sunlight can damage antique leather and textiles. Much of the dyestuff used for fabrics in times past had less staying power than those used today, and even when freshly colored textiles were prone to fading. Fabrics, whether an antique bedspread or a tapestry, should not be exposed to direct sun if they are to be preserved. Leather upholstery can also be bleached and weakened by the power of the sun.

Paper and canvas are susceptible to the effects of ultraviolet radiation. Sunlight can fade and deteriorate not only the tints in antique watercolors, pastels, oils and photographs but destroy their foundation. The suns pathway along any wall space should be noted as potentially harmful when hanging old art and photographs. An alternative to losing hanging space in a very sunny room is to prevent the sun from shining artworks with curtains or other window coverings.

Either modern or original wooden floorboards are a beautiful feature in many homes but they must be cared for. Harsh or bright sunlight can discolor wood flooring, leaving it looking patchy. If the sun falls on certain parts of the floor, curtains, blinds or shutters should be used to screen the it in order to protect floorboards.

Sunshine can create a bright and cozy home. Collectors of antiques and those who have the good fortune of original wood floorboards as a feature in their home need to protect their investments from the more damaging aspects of sunshine. Vertical blinds, shutters and shades can all help keep antiques, oil paintings and parquet from being faded and damaged by the sun. It is always better to prevent damage, rather than try and fix it.

Many readers may wish to find out more about vertical blinds, and may go to Jesita Jerik’s web store to choose the best window blinds for their needs and save money at the same time.