Have you ever noticed that when you visit the Met, MoMA, or the Whitney, paintings are never in rooms with windows? Windowed areas are reserved for sculptures that won’t fade in sunlight, and skylights are often filtered with frosted glass. 

Art museums understand better than anyone how damaging light is to artwork—and the same applies to your home’s furnishings. Artwork, photography, books, wallpaper, furniture, vinyl records—the things that fill your New York home are all vulnerable to fading in the sunlight. 

Combatting UV rays can, of course, be done with window shades, blinds, and drapes, but do you really want to keep them drawn all day and night? You can simplify window shading with automated motorized shades from smart brands like Lutron. 

Here’s how Lutron motorized shades work to preserve your New York, NY, home.

SEE ALSO: Explore the Magic of Motorized Shades 

Do I Really Need to Worry About Fading? 

If your home’s windows let in direct sunlight, it’s only a matter of time before your belongings start to fade. Maybe you’ve already noticed this happen in the past. Some materials, like wood and paper, are more prone to fading, as well as certain colors like red, orange, and yellow. 

Certain papers can fade from sun exposure in as little as a few hours, while wallpaper and paint will likely fade in five to ten years. Fabrics will fade if they’ve experienced cumulative weeks of UV exposure, and after a few years, even your hardwood floors will fade. 

Fading from sunlight is technically called ‘photodegradation’ and is caused by visible, infrared, and ultraviolet light. Photodegradation breaks down chemical bonds in paints and stains and will permanently damage your art collection and decorations.  

Using Motorized Shades to Block UV Rays 

Remembering to manually lower your shades every day can be a challenge, especially when the sun is at its strongest and you're not at home. Yet, keeping the shades drawn throughout the day might create a stifling and uncomfortable living space.

Enter motorized shades—a modern solution to this age-old dilemma. These innovative shades can be seamlessly integrated into your smart home system, allowing them to automatically lower when sunlight hits your windows. Equipped with advanced lighting control systems like Lutron, these shades are paired with sunlight sensors that keenly detect the sun's rays on your windows. As soon as sunlight is detected, the motorized shades gracefully descend, forming a protective barrier against infrared and ultraviolet light.

Once the sun completes its journey across the sky, the motorized shades gracefully rise, permitting natural light to gently filter into your home. This intelligent automation ensures you can bask in the benefits of natural light without compromising the longevity of your cherished home furnishings. Your art, books, furniture, and floors will stay vibrant and colorful, untouched by the harmful effects of UV rays. 

Electronic Environments: New York’s Destination for Lighting Control 

If you’re interested in motorized window treatments or a home lighting control system, Electronic Environments is here to help. Contact us here to start your home installation today!