Preventing Laminate Floor Fading: Easy Steps for Long-Lasting Colour
How to Prevent Laminate Flooring from Fading Over Time
Laminate flooring is a popular choice for homeowners due to its durability, affordability, and stylish appearance. However, like any flooring material, it can fade over time, especially when exposed to direct sunlight, harsh cleaning products, and general wear and tear.
If you want to keep your laminate flooring looking fresh and vibrant for years to come, follow these expert tips to prevent fading and maintain its original beauty.
What Causes Laminate Flooring to Fade?
Understanding the causes of fading can help you take the right preventive measures. The most common culprits include:
- Sunlight Exposure: Ultraviolet (UV) rays from direct sunlight can break down the colour pigments in laminate flooring, leading to fading.
- Harsh Cleaning Products: Strong chemicals and abrasive cleaners can strip away the protective coating and dull the surface.
- Excessive Moisture: Prolonged exposure to moisture can cause discolouration and weaken the laminate’s finish.
- General Wear and Tear: High foot traffic, dragging furniture, and dirt buildup can contribute to a worn-out and faded look over time.
How to Prevent Fading in Laminate Flooring
1. Limit Direct Sunlight Exposure
Sunlight is the biggest factor in laminate flooring fading, so taking steps to reduce UV exposure is key.
- Use Curtains or Blinds: Keep blinds or curtains closed during peak sunlight hours to reduce direct exposure.
- Install UV-Blocking Window Films: These films filter out harmful UV rays while still allowing natural light in.
- Position Furniture and Rugs Strategically: Rearrange furniture and rugs occasionally to prevent uneven fading in specific areas.
- Use Exterior Awnings or Shades: If possible, install exterior shading solutions to reduce the amount of sunlight entering the room.
2. Choose Fade-Resistant Laminate Flooring
Some laminate flooring options come with built-in UV protection and fade-resistant coatings. If you’re installing new laminate, look for a high-quality brand that offers this feature.
3. Clean Laminate Flooring Properly
Regular cleaning helps maintain the shine and prevents buildup that can dull the floor’s appearance.
- Use a pH-Neutral Cleaner: Harsh chemicals like bleach or ammonia-based cleaners can break down the protective layer. Instead, use a gentle, pH-neutral cleaner designed for laminate flooring.
- Avoid Excess Water: Use a damp (not wet) mop when cleaning to prevent moisture damage.
- Sweep and Vacuum Regularly: Dirt and dust act like sandpaper, causing micro-scratches that make the surface appear dull.
4. Use Protective Mats and Rugs
Placing mats or rugs in high-traffic areas helps reduce wear and tear that contributes to fading.
- Door Mats: Place mats at entryways to prevent dirt from being tracked onto the floor.
- UV-Resistant Rugs: Choose rugs with UV protection to prevent them from causing shadows or uneven fading on the floor.
- Furniture Pads: Attach felt pads to furniture legs to prevent scratches and scuffs that can dull the finish.
5. Maintain Proper Room Conditions
Temperature and humidity fluctuations can affect the lifespan and appearance of laminate flooring.
- Control Indoor Humidity: Use a dehumidifier in humid areas to prevent moisture damage.
- Maintain a Stable Temperature: Avoid extreme temperature changes by keeping your home at a consistent climate year-round.
6. Refresh the Floor with a Laminate Revitaliser
If your laminate flooring has already started to fade, using a laminate floor polish or revitaliser can help restore its original shine.
- How It Works: These products add a thin protective layer, enhancing the colour and making the floor look new again.
- Application: Follow the manufacturer’s instructions and apply in thin, even coats for the best results.
Conclusion
Preventing laminate flooring from fading requires a combination of UV protection, proper cleaning, and strategic placement of furniture and rugs. By limiting sunlight exposure, using the right cleaning products, and maintaining a stable environment, you can keep your laminate floors looking vibrant for years to come. If fading has already occurred, using a laminate polish can help revive the colour and shine.
Are you on the hunt for new flooring? With Easipay Carpets you can get the flooring of your dreams from as little as £10 per week, completely interest free! We offer Carpets, Vinyl and Laminate flooring with free underlay, door bars, carpet grippers and beading wherever needed on payment plans that spread the cost of the flooring into smaller, more manageable payments. Find out more at the button below!
Still Got Questions? Here's 10 FAQs!
Yes, prolonged exposure to direct sunlight can cause laminate flooring to fade over time.
Use curtains, UV-blocking window films, and fade-resistant laminate flooring to prevent fading.
Use a pH-neutral laminate cleaner and a damp mop—avoid harsh chemicals and excessive water.
Yes, rugs can help reduce sun exposure and wear, but choose UV-resistant rugs to avoid uneven fading.
In some cases, a laminate floor revitaliser can restore colour and shine. However, severe fading may require replacement.
While most laminate floors experience some level of fading, high-quality laminate with UV protection fades less.
A laminate polish can enhance the colour and shine, but it won’t fully restore severely faded areas.
Yes, excess moisture can cause discolouration and damage to laminate flooring over time.
Rearranging furniture and rugs every few months can help prevent uneven fading.
The best long-term solution is to choose a high-quality laminate with UV protection and follow maintenance best practices.
You Might Also Like...
About The Author
Matt
Matt is a master at gathering relevant information and rolling it into a ball of digestibility. Fuelled by caffeine and metal bands, you'll usually find him in the office either writing blog posts with verification from our most experienced flooring fitters, creating new ad designs, working on our social media and website or finding ways to improve our customer's whole experience with us. Matt is part of the background force that keeps the Pay Weekly side of Easipay Carpets growing.