Depending on the type of wood, sealant, or finish you have on your floor, the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays can fade or darken the color of the flooring.
If you have a newly finished floor the finish will block the damage (conceptually similar to putting sunscreen on your skin), but over time the finish is worn away which causes the UV to break through and alter the color of your floor.

The bad news about sun-damaged floors is that to fix it you have to go through the involved process of sanding and refinishing the ENTIRE floor, not just the sun-damaged part if you want to really fix the problem.
In this article you’ll learn:
- The only way to truly fix a sun-damaged floor
- Steps you can take to prevent sun-fading on your floors
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How to Identify Sun-faded Wood Floors
Signs of Sun-fading
Different wood react differently to the sun’s UV rays. Cherry wood will actually DARKEN over a relatively short period of time, while Oak and Maple will become lighter over a longer period of time.
Your finish can also impact the discoloration. For example, oil-based polyurethane will become yellowed over time.
Wood floors undergoing sun-fading have their tell-tale signs. Noticing them may help to “nip it in the bud” before it gets worse. Move furniture and rugs out of the way and check the floor for:
- Uneven color and visible fading: This specific result of sun-fading can give your wood floor a patchy look. If certain areas on your floor look deceptively faded, there’s a good chance sun-fading is playing the villain. Examine different areas of the floor that are under furniture or rugs. Compare the coloring between areas that are exposed all the time vs areas that are covered.
- Warping, splitting, or cracking: Warmth from the sun doesn’t bode well for wood health either. Prolonged exposure to sunlight can distort your wood floor’s shape, leading it to warp or split.
How to Prepare to Fix Sun-faded Wood Floors
WARNING: Truly fixing sun-damaged floor coloring requires that you sand and refinish the entire floor which is an involved process and will vary depending on your floor type. So, this article will just give an overview of the process needed to restore so you have a good idea of what’s involved.
Assess the Type of Wood Your Floor is Made of
Gather the Necessary Tools and Materials
- Belt sander or square orbital sander
- Edge sander
- Paint scraper with a carbide blade
- Floor buffer
- Sanding belts in various grits from 24 through 100
- Painters tape
- Plastic sheeting
- Paintbrushes, rags, and other applicators
- Protective gear (gloves, masks, and eye protection)
- Vacuum or broom for cleanup
- [Optional] Stain: pick a stain that is pigment based since that will last longer under the sun’s glare
- Finish. Since sun damage is an issue for you, source a water-based finish that is formulated to fight UV impacts on your floor
Clear the area
Pick up toys, move the rugs and furniture out of the room so it’s totally clear.
Clean the floor well, removing dust and debris
Step-by-step Guide to Fixing Sun-faded Wood Floors
Step 1: Sand the Entire Floor
- Start with the belt or square orbital sander and run up and back across the whole floor in a slightly overlapping pattern
- Start with the 24 grit and work your way up to 100 grit
- Finish the whole floor with a floor buffer at 100-grit sanding screen
- Follow Proper sanding techniques to avoid damaging the wood. If you sand incorrectly you could irreparably damage your floors.
- Fill in any cracks or imperfections
- Be sure to wear a dust mask while sanding

Step 2: Preparing the Sanded Wood Surface for Refinishing
- Thoroughly clean the floor of dust – tape the edges of your vacuum to avoid scraping the raw wood
- Clean the floor after each coat
- Wipe up the floor with a tack cloth
Step 3: [Optional] Apply stain to the floor
Step 4: Refinishing the Wood Floors
Okay, now you’ve got fresh clean wood ready for refinishing
- Choose the appropriate finish whether oil- or water-based polyurethane. You’ll also need to decide on the sheen.
- Apply the finish evenly with a wide applicator
- Allow for drying and curing times
- Buff the first coat with 150-grit sanding screen
- Apply 2nd coat
- Buff with 220-grit sanding screen
- Apply 3rd coat
- Allow for ventilation and drying time
How do you prevent sun-fading of hardwood floors?
- Install Window Coverings to Reduce UV Exposure. Keep blinds and curtains closed during the day. The best way to prevent sun-fading of floors is to stop UV from getting to your floors in the first place
- Rearrange furniture periodically to avoid uneven fading
- Install UV-resistant film or tint on your windows
- If you’re replacing your windows, install Low-E glass which will filter out much of the UV light
FAQs:
Yes, they can, but it generally requires a full sanding, buffing, and refinishing of the floor.
Yes, it can and will given enough time and direct sunlight. Excessive sunlight causes hardwood floor discoloration and overall degradation.
Three broad ways: cleaning+ rejuvenation, re-coating, and the full-on sand and refinish. Note that only sanding and finishing will fully resolve any sun damage issues on a hardwood floor.
The primary cause of wood floor sun damage is the UV rays in the sun’s light.