Do Carpets Fade? Understanding UV Exposure in Southern California
We are blessed with over 270 days of sunshine a year on the Central Coast, but that beautiful California sun can be a silent enemy to your interior finishes.
One of the most common questions we hear at Flooring 101—from Bakersfield to Thousand Oaks—is: “Will my new carpet fade over time?”
The short answer is that all textiles can fade, but the rate at which they fade depends entirely on fiber technology and how you manage your home’s environment.
The Science of Fading: Why It Happens
Fading, or “photodegradation,” occurs when ultraviolet (UV) rays break the chemical bonds of the dyes in your carpet. In the high-sun environments of Santa Maria and Simi Valley, floors near large sliding glass doors or floor-to-ceiling windows are at the highest risk.
Fiber Type Matters:
Older nylon carpets were notorious for fading. However, modern Solution-Dyed fibers are different.
In solution-dyeing, the color is added while the fiber is in a liquid state, meaning the color goes all the way through the fiber like a carrot, rather than just on the outside like a radish.
How to Protect Your Investment
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UV Window Films: Modern window tints can block up to 99% of UV rays without darkening your room.
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The “Solution-Dyed” Choice: At Flooring 101, we recommend brands like Mohawk and Karastan that utilize advanced color-locking technology.
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Strategic Decor: Occasionally rotating furniture or using area rugs can ensure that if fading does occur, it happens uniformly across the floor.
Glossary of Carpet Fading Terms
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Solution-Dyeing: A process where color is added to the polymer melt before the fiber is extruded.
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UV Stabilizers: Chemical additives in high-end carpets that help absorb or deflect ultraviolet light.
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Crocking: The transfer of dye from the surface of a carpet to another surface (like a sock), often confused with fading.
Get Sun-Drenched Living Without the Stress with High-Quality Carpet & Expertise from Flooring 101
You shouldn’t have to live in the dark to protect your floors. By selecting the right high-performance fibers from an NFA dealer like Flooring 101, you can enjoy the California sun with confidence.
Worried about sun exposure? Visit one of our locations to see our “Sun-Safe” solution-dyed carpet collections.