The sun radiates ultraviolet (UV) light, visible light and infrared (IR) light. Visible light is the light humans can see – and also contributes to fading, whilst infrared light is heat energy – and it too contributes to fading. UV does the majority of the damage.
There are 5 options to protect against fade damage:
- Laminate glass blocks 99% of UV light whilst still allowing high levels of visible light to enter the room. Clear glass blocks 48% of UV light.
- Tinted glass blocks 79% of UV light, however rooms will become a lot darker as visible light transmittance drops by 44%, plus solar heat gain drops by 32%.
- Low E coatings (primarily used for heat retention) block 58% of UV light whilst still allowing high levels of visible light to enter the room.
- External shutters, louvres or blinds.
- Internal blinds.
