Shielding your Interior from UV Damage

On sunny days, it’s not surprising that we want to bask in the warmth and welcome the sunlight pouring through our windows. However, even in the absence of direct sunshine, harmful UV rays persist and gradually deteriorate our furniture, curtains, artwork, and flooring.

The harm arises as a result of ultraviolet light triggering a reaction between the moisture present in fabrics and atmospheric oxygen, resulting in the formation of hydrogen peroxide. Hydrogen peroxide, being a bleaching agent, disrupts the chemical bonds responsible for providing dyes with their hue. Consequently, it's not the fabric itself that's fading, but rather the dye within the yarn.

Since fabrics are often dyed after being woven into yarn or a piece, they are more prone to fading than other objects in the household. Furthermore, when the chemical bonds within the yarn start to deteriorate, the fabric can become fragile and weak, rendering it more prone to breakage. The consequences of UV damage are not instantaneous; rather, it's a gradual process that becomes more pronounced over time, resulting in faded and worn-looking curtains, cushions, and upholstery fabrics.

The indoor-outdoor lifestyle embraced by Australasian households and their surroundings presents a technical standard for the development of products, as the market necessitates practical and sturdy constructions. To address this, our design studios create upholsteries, draperies, and wallpapers that can endure our distinct environmental conditions.

We collaborate closely with our mills to ensure that our textiles are suitable for their intended purposes. Our designers adjust compositions and structures to ensure that our products are tailored to diverse lifestyles. We also conduct rigorous testing and if they fail to meet our high standards, they are not included in our collection.

The composition of a textile has a direct influence on its appearance, texture, and overall performance as a finished product. Natural fibers like cotton, linen, silk, and wool are porous and absorbent, and as such, are vulnerable to their surrounding environmental factors such as fluctuations in humidity and UV light exposure.

Our designers pay close attention to the pre-production, dyeing, and finishing methods when working with 100% natural fibers. However, we commonly use a blend of natural and synthetic fibres for our creations. Combining the luxurious appearance and feel of natural fibres with the functional, performance advantages of synthetic yarns is made possible through blended compositions. The inclusion of synthetic fibers like polyester, nylon, or acrylic in a textile blend typically enhances strength and stability, and when combined with high-quality dye, can result in better resistance to color fading from light exposure.

Read more: Under the microscope: pairing fibre characteristics to interiors

Our textiles undergo rigorous external testing at a reputable laboratory in Melbourne, and we do not approve the release of any product that fails to meet our testing standards. The testing standards we follow in the laboratory are among the most stringent in the world, considering the challenging environmental conditions of Australia and New Zealand. Therefore, some of our studio's textiles, which might be acceptable in other markets, won't be released if they fail to meet our testing criteria. Our local market has high demands for textiles, which has led to our products being recognised internationally for their durability and exceptional performance.

Australia and New Zealand's ozone hole leads to increased exposure to harmful ultraviolet light, making it crucial for our design teams to prioritise achieving optimal results in colourfastness and lightfastness testing. Consequently, all other markets, including the USA, receive products from Zepel that surpass the local standards for UV resistance and durability in various environmental conditions.

The colourfastness to light test assesses the fabric's ability to withstand fading when exposed to ultraviolet light. The fabric is subjected to controlled conditions under an artificial lamp that simulates the effects of natural light exposure. After 40 hours of continuous exposure, the fabric undergoes evaluation against both a piece of the original fabric and a set of 'blue scales', which consists of eight scales graduating from light (1) to dark (8). The higher the score, the better the resistance, with 1/8 being very poor and 7/8 being exceptionally good. The sample labels of our fabrics include their respective colourfastness to light test results. Comparing these scores can assist in the selection of a suitable fabric.

The appearance and texture of Zepel’s FibreGuard Outdoor and UV Pro collections are influenced by our distinct lifestyle, and we take great care and attention to ensure that they have the same look and feel as indoor fabrics. More and more outdoor ranges are being preferred over indoor high-performance options due to their exceptional UV resistance and low maintenance features. This makes them particularly attractive for heavily frequented and commercial areas where performance is of utmost importance.

If you want to guarantee longevity for your sunlight-drenched home, one effective method is to contemplate utilising outdoor fabrics for your interior spaces, which will provide you with the assurance that your fabrics will endure against fading for many years.

• Consider using a high-quality lining such as Aspro Blackout, Blackout 280 3Pas FR-On, or Blockbuster FR-One as they are rated 5/8 on the blue scale for its UV protection behind your curtains. In addition to blocking out light for a restful sleep and providing insulation from heat and cold, using this will also safeguard your curtains from sun damage in the long run.
• Ensure that there is ample space for your curtains to be stacked back, as this will minimise direct exposure to sunlight on the front edges of the curtains, thereby prolonging their life-span.
• To promote even exposure of the fabric to light and minimise any visible colour change, consider swapping the curtains from one side of the track to the other periodically. This prevents one edge from being consistently exposed to sunlight.
• Think about investing in sheer curtains, which can filter the sunlight entering your home. By doing so, you can enjoy privacy while also minimising the sun's effects.
• By applying a UV window tint, you can significantly decrease the amount of UV light that enters your area, thus safeguarding not only your fabrics but also your flooring, walls, and hard furniture. These tints are generally invisible once installed.

• Whenever feasible, position your furniture away from direct sunlight.
• Consider rearranging your furniture periodically to minimise constant and prolonged exposure over time.
• Flip and rotate your cushions frequently to promote even wear of both the fabric and the cushion fill, in addition to preventing prolonged exposure to sunlight.
• Consider installing sheer curtains to minimise direct light, add texture, and provide privacy.

You can preserve the lifespan of your soft furnishings and maintain their beauty for years to come by following these easy steps.