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Hardwood Photosensitivity

Hardwood Photosensitivity

There's something very special about hardwood floors. They bring warmth and beauty to a space with their varying colors and natural grains. But did you know that hardwoods change their color overtime? It's because of photosensitivity. Simply put, something that's photosensitive will either lighten or darken when exposed to natural and artificial light.

Hardwood Floor Discoloration

While all hardwoods are photosensitive to some degree, certain types are more sensitive than the rest.

For example, when first cut, walnut can range from a light pale brown to a dark chocolate brown. When exposed to sunlight, however, a dark brown walnut can lighten to a golden brown tone overtime.

Another wood that's more prone to photosensitivity is tulipwood, also known as Poplar. When first cut, the color ranges from a green to a purple tone and can transform to a warm milk chocolate brown overtime.

Cherry wood, both American and exotic species, is the most photosensitive of hardwoods. It will change from a pink tone to a red-brown tone overtime.

cherry wood photosensitivity

 

What to Do About Hardwood Floor Discoloration

 

 

    • Ask one of our Avalon design experts how much your chosen hardwood flooring will change overtime. All of our wood samples are labeled with the level of how photosensitive they are—low, medium or high. If you aren't happy with the look, simply choose a different wood.

 

    • Consider how much light your space will get. If it doesn't get a lot of sun, your floors won't have much of a color change. If you do get a lot of sun, you should invest in window treatments. And you should be sure to shut them during the day to minimize the sun exposure.

 

    • Rearrange your furniture, rugs, etc. once in a while to ensure even color change. The plus side to this, it's an excuse to keep your space looking fresh!

 

So when you're shopping for your beautiful hardwood floors, whether solid or engineered, keep photosensitivity in mind. As long as you're happy with the end color, it doesn't have to be seen as a negative problem. Instead, it can be seen as an interesting and appealing characteristic.

 

Brick, NJ

540 Rt. 70 West
Brick, NJ 08723
(732) 899-4477

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Avalon, NJ

2209 Dune Drive
Avalon, New Jersey 08202
Phone: (609) 961-4200

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Deptford, NJ

1420 Almonesson Road
Deptford NJ 08096
(856) 812-6120

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MON: 9:30 AM - 6:00 PM

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Cherry Hill, NJ

2030 Springdale Road
Cherry Hill, NJ 08003

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MON: 9:30 AM - 6:00 PM

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ProPartner Supply Counter

115 Fork Road
Egg Harbor Twp, NJ 08234
(609) 867-7360

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Monday through Friday: 7:00 AM - 3:30 PM

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Monday through Friday: 7:00 AM - 4:00 PM

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King of Prussia, PA

316 S. Henderson Road
King Of Prussia, PA 19406
(610) 233-3100

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Langhorne, PA

2343 East Lincoln Highway
Langhorne, PA 19047
(267) 580-412

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Manahawkin, NJ

651 Route 72 East
Manahawkin, NJ 08050
(609) 978-9700

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Manalapan, NJ

29 U.S. 9
Manalapan Township, NJ 07726
(732) 812-6500

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Ocean City, NJ

1158 Asbury Avenue
Ocean City, NJ 08226
(609) 525-0400

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MON: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM

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Ocean Township, NJ

1500 State Route 35 S.
Ocean Township, NJ 07712
(732) 380-5640

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Philadelphia, PA

48 Snyder Ave
Philadelphia, PA 19148
(267) 236-1600

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Rio Grande, NJ

1111 Rte. 47 South
Rio Grande, NJ 08242
(609) 465-3051

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Shrewsbury, NJ

89 Newman Springs Road E
Shrewsbury, NJ 07702
(848) 300-4400

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Toms River, NJ

2323 Route 37
Toms River, NJ 08753
(732) 929-8300

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Warrington, PA

644 Easton Road
Warrington, PA 18976
(215) 491-3700

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Wilmington, DE

5510 Concord Pike
Wilmington, DE 19803
(302) 757-7500

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Mays Landing - Grand Opening August 31

4215 Black Horse Pike, Suite 220
Mays Landing, New Jersey 08330
(609) 641-2700

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