How To Keep Your Interior Paint From Fading 

Most of us think about paint issues as being the common chipping, peeling, or bubbling of paint in the years after the paint project was completed. But did you know there is another issue you should be just as concerned about, especially if you are considering an interior paint project in the coming months? 

That issue is fading. 

Take a look around your home, especially the rooms that get the most direct sunlight. What you might not have noticed, because it happens so gradually, is that your furnishings, rugs, and even your painted walls may have started to fade. 

What Causes Interior Paint Fading? 

Before we look at some solutions to the issue of fading paint, let’s look at the root cause of fading inside your home, whether it is your artwork, couch, rugs, or surface paints. 

There are several root causes that can pinpoint why a room may have fading paint. The most common cause is too much direct sunlight. The regular onslaught of the sun beating down on your southern facing rooms can cause paint and other items in the room to fade over the course of time. 

Another reason why paint may be fading could include: not using high quality paint or extreme temperature fluctuations in the room. The higher quality paint will allow for better coverage and adhesion to the surface. Additionally, wild fluctuations in temperatures may cause stress on the paint thus causing premature deterioration. 

While it is rare, it is not out-of-the-question to have a strong light bulb being overused as the culprit in the fading paint. 

Preventing Interior Fading 

While the sun is one of the main reasons a paint may begin to lose its luster and fade, we can’t do much about the direction or strength of the sun’s rays. We can, however, suggest a few changes to the interior of your home that may help prevent the fading process. 

Here are a few steps that homeowners can take to prevent premature fading of their interior paint projects. 

• Use blinds, shades, or curtains to block the direct sun during peak hours when fading can occur. 
• Use several coats of paint to ensure the color will be preserved for longer periods of time. 
• Use a higher sheen or finish that tends to defect sunlight rather than absorb it. Semi-gloss, satin, and high gloss tends to deflect light, while matte, flat, and eggshell finishes absorb light. 
• Choose a high quality paint such as Benjamin Moore. 
• Be sure to thoroughly clean and prep the walls before painting to allow for optimal adhesion. Don’t forget that primer! 

Do you have a “high sun” room that you fear may be subject to fading paint? Talk to our experts today about steps we can take to preserve your paint longer. 

Categorised in: Interior painting, Jerry Enos