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Fade Prevention for Your Home: DOE Guidance on Protecting Furniture and Artwork

Posted by The Window Place USA on Mar 17th 2026

Source: U.S. Department of Energy. Energy Efficient Window Coverings. Retrieved from [https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/energy-efficient-window-coverings](https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/energy-efficient-window-coverings). Public domain.

The High Cost of Sun Damage

Homeowners invest heavily in the interior of their homes—from custom upholstery and Persian rugs to hardwood floors and fine artwork. Unfortunately, placing these valuable items in rooms with abundant natural light often leads to irreversible damage. Over time, the sun's rays bleach out vibrant colors and dry out wood and leather, destroying the aesthetic and financial value of your furnishings.

To combat this widespread problem, the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) recommends a specific, low-impact solution: applying solar control window film.

Why the DOE Recommends Window Film for Fading

In its guide to energy-efficient window coverings, the DOE explicitly points out the utility of window films for interior preservation. The agency notes that surface-applied films "protect against glare and ultraviolet exposure" and are "a good choice... in places where artwork, furniture, or carpeting could be faded by UV exposure" [1].

But how exactly does window film stop the fade? It addresses the three primary causes of solar damage:

  1. Ultraviolet (UV) Radiation: UV rays are the single largest contributor to fading (accounting for roughly 40% of the damage). High-quality window films block up to 99.9% of these harmful rays [1].
  2. Solar Heat: Heat bakes the moisture out of leather and wood, causing cracking and accelerating the breakdown of dyes. Solar control films reject a massive percentage of this infrared heat.
  3. Visible Light: While you want visible light in your home, too much harsh, direct sunlight contributes to fading. Films can reduce this glare while still maintaining a bright, pleasant room.

Preserving Your View

The traditional method for preventing sun damage is to simply close the curtains or lower the blinds during the brightest parts of the day. While effective, this defeats the purpose of having large, beautiful windows.

The DOE highlights that window films "can be useful for homeowners who don’t want to block views with other window treatments" [1]. Because the film is applied directly to the glass, it provides continuous, 24/7 protection against fading without ever requiring you to plunge your living room into darkness. You get to keep your view of the backyard while knowing your expensive hardwood floors are protected.

A Simple, DIY Investment

Protecting your home's interior does not require hiring an expensive contractor to replace all your windows. The DOE acknowledges that these protective window films "are available for do-it-yourself projects" [1].

By purchasing a supply-only roll of professional-grade window film, homeowners can easily apply the material themselves. This allows you to protect thousands of dollars worth of interior furnishings for a very small, one-time investment in materials.

The Window Place USA: Professional Fade Protection

The Window Place USA supplies the exact same 99% UV-blocking window films used by museums to protect priceless artifacts. Now, you can use these supply-only rolls to protect the furniture and artwork in your own home.

Stop the sun from ruining your interior. Contact us today to find the right fade-prevention film for your windows: inquiries@thewindowplaceusa.com | (866) 274-2769.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does window film completely stop fading?
No product can stop fading entirely, as things like indoor lighting and humidity also play a small role. However, by blocking 99% of UV rays and rejecting solar heat, window film drastically slows down the fading process, extending the life of your furnishings by years.

Does the DOE recommend window film for fading?
Yes. The DOE explicitly states that window films are a good choice in places where artwork, furniture, or carpeting could be faded by UV exposure [1].

Will the film make my windows look dark?
Not necessarily. Modern spectrally selective films are designed to be nearly invisible. They block the harmful UV and infrared heat while allowing high levels of visible light to pass through, preserving your natural illumination.

References

[1] U.S. Department of Energy. "Energy Efficient Window Coverings." Energy Saver. https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/energy-efficient-window-coverings