Ultraviolet radiation rays are on the electromagnetic spectrum. UV rays are part of the sunlight spectrum, but are not visible to the human eye. The only way to know for sure if a material can stand up to UV rays is to test it. Wood is prone to fading and cracking when exposed to ultraviolet rays. Metal can fade and rust when exposed to ultraviolet radiation. Plastic that is exposed will become brittle and break down over time. Carpet fibers can be damaged by UV exposure, leading to discoloration and wear. Concrete and stone surfaces will discolor when exposed to UV rays but not degrade as quickly as some natural materials such as wood
You may have heard of UV rays and wondered what they do. UV radiation is a form of electromagnetic radiation and as such, it travels at the speed of light. The electromagnetic spectrum includes several types of waves that vary in wavelength, frequency and energy.
UV rays are on the lower end of this spectrum with a wavelength between 100 and 400 nanometers. This is where you will find most natural sources like sunlight or firelight. Visible light has been given names based on their frequency or wavelength – blue light has a shorter wavelength than red light.
Wood
Wood is prone to fading and cracking when exposed to ultraviolet rays. Damage occurs most often in areas like the beach, where there’s a lot of direct sunlight. The more time wood spends in direct sunlight, the worse it will be for it. UV rays can cause wood furniture (and other materials) to fade into a yellowish color. Wood is a natural material that’s susceptible to UV damage, so if you’re concerned about protecting your furniture from this kind of fading, cover it up with something like fabric or use UV window film.
Metal
Ultraviolet radiation can cause metal surfaces to lose their electrons. This process is known as oxidation and it causes the metal surface to become darker and more brittle. This can be problematic because it can lead to rusting, which can weaken the material and make it unsafe for use.
Plastic
UV rays are a major cause of discoloration and cracking in plastic. This is because they break down the molecular bonds between the molecules that make up plastic. UV rays can cause plastic to become brittle and break over time. It is a good idea to keep your items stored if they are not being used regularly. They may become discolored or damaged by UV rays when exposed for long periods of time.
Carpet
UV radiation can damage carpets. When ultraviolet rays are exposed to carpet fibers, they cause discoloration and wear. UV rays can also cause mold and mildew to grow on the backing of the carpet. If you have a dark-colored carpet, you will notice that it fades over time due to this exposure.
When UV rays hit the glue that connects each individual fiber together in your carpet, they weaken. This leaves gaps between adjacent fibers which can allow moisture into those spaces where it can get trapped. This leads to water damage below if there is any water seeping through cracks in your subflooring material like wood or tile underneath.
Concrete and Stone
Concrete and stone surfaces will discolor when exposed to UV rays but not degrade as quickly as other materials. Concrete is a composite material made from cement, water, sand and gravel. The addition of steel fibers can make concrete stronger in tension and compression. Because it is hardened by chemical reaction rather than the application of heat, it does not shrink significantly during curing or after cure. Therefore, cracks due to shrinkage are uncommon in well-made concrete.
Some materials degrade quicker than others when exposed to UV radiation
The materials that you choose to line your windows can affect how much UV radiation passes through. Some materials are more resistant to UV rays than others, and will degrade slower than others when exposed. There is no way to know for sure how well a material will hold up against UV rays without testing, but we do know that some materials are more durable than others when exposed to these rays.