I love a heatwave for the simple reason that it means long balmy evenings spent round the fire pit and the chance to eat dinners al fresco. But what I don't love is the effect it's having on my home.
First I noticed an outdoor cushion had faded from a beautifully printed design to a barely-there smudge. Next, my beloved houseplants started crisping at the edges, no matter how much time I took to mist them. Then, when I finally moved my favourite armchair away from the window in my living room, the back of it was a whole shade lighter than the front, having bleached away for weeks while I sat there none the wiser.
I'd been closing the odd curtain on the worst afternoons and telling myself that counted as doing something about it, but clearly it wasn't enough. So instead of watching everything in my house fade and crisp around me, I went to find out what was actually going on, and what could be done about it before it got any worse.
1. Exterior paintwork and render
I started outside my home, on the assumption that whatever was fading my cushion was probably doing the same to the paintwork and render too. It turns out I wasn't wrong.
Joe Burton, materials specialist at The Brick Tile Co, confirmed my suspicions. "For exterior paints and renders, prolonged exposure leads to fading, chalking and cracking as UV breaks down the polymer bonds in the resin," he explains. "This process is cumulative and accelerates when combined with temperature changes and moisture."
The good news is that a lot of this is avoidable with the right products. "UV-resistant paints and coatings formulated with high-quality polymers or acrylics offer better resistance to chalking and fading," Joe tells me.
For outside surfaces you'll want a specialist product like this Johnstone’s Exterior Smooth Masonry Paint. It offers up to 15 years weather protection and is formulated to safeguard exterior surfaces against the elements, including UV rays, rain, frost, and wind exposure.
Joe Burton is the Brand Director at The Brick Tile Company and a specialist in brick slips and interior applications. His experience spans everything from early-stage design decisions through to installation guidance, helping clients achieve beautiful homes.
2. Windows, fascias and frames
It was a similar story with my windows and doors, according to Darren Coates, sales director at SolarFrame.
"South and west-facing elevations usually take the worst of it, because they tend to get the strongest sun later on in the day," he says. "With lower-quality or older uPVC windows, you can sometimes see discolouration over time, particularly on elevations that get hammered by the sun every afternoon."
It's not just the glass and frames either. "Door slabs, trims, seals and external finishes can also start to look worn if they've had years of UV exposure, heat and bad weather working against them," Darren adds.
His advice is to think about this when selecting windows and specifying these details, not after. "At the planning or specification stage, homeowners should think about where the sun hits the property hardest. If a side of the house gets strong sun for hours every day, that's where frame material, window colour choice, glazing specification and roof design really matter."
But for anyone like me, already living with older frames, he adds that maintenance matters too.
"Don't attack frames or doors with harsh chemicals, abrasive pads or pressure washers right up close, because you can damage the surface and make weathering look worse. A gentle clean with the right products is usually all they need."
Darren Coates is Sales Director at SolarFrame, a Yorkshire-based manufacturer and installer of windows, doors and solid tiled conservatory roofs. He has worked in the industry since 2013, helping homeowners choose products built to last.
3. Cladding and roof coverings
Thankfully, my home is made of stone, so I don't have any external cladding to worry about, but plenty of homeowners do, so I asked Lisa Grosse, regional product and marketing lead at Cedral, what she sees most often.
"UV exposure can cause exterior materials to fade, bleach or discolour, while high temperatures can make them expand, contract or warp," she says. "South-facing elevations are particularly vulnerable because they receive the most direct sunlight."
Timber cladding tends to bear the brunt of it, changing colour and moving over time. "If that movement damages the facade or creates gaps, it could also increase the risk of water ingress later in the year," she warns.
Roofs aren't spared either. "Roofing materials can also be affected by heat and sun exposure. Rising temperatures may cause blistering or cracking on roof tiles and slates, and can also affect sealants," Lisa says.
Her advice is to think about durability as much as appearance when specifying materials. "Materials with good thermal stability are particularly important on exposed elevations because they are less likely to warp or crack."
Fibre cement is one option worth asking about, since it's designed to withstand years of heat and direct sun without warping.
It's also worth remembering that garden rooms and sheds are usually built from the same cladding and roofing materials as the house itself, so they're just as exposed, sometimes more so, given how little shelter most gardens offer.
Lisa Grosse is Regional Product and Marketing Lead for Cedral Sidings in the UK and Ireland, part of Etex, a global leader in lightweight construction. With more than a decade of experience in the building materials industry, specialising in fibre cement solutions, she works closely with customers across the construction value chain.
4. Decking and fencing
My own garden doesn't include decking, but, according to the experts, it's one of the areas that takes the most obvious hit. "Exposure to UV rays from direct sunlight over time can inflict cosmetic damage, causing wood to lighten and discolour," explains Jimmy Englezos, resident DIY expert and senior brand manager at Ronseal.
"These rays can also strip away the natural oils in the wood, leading to cracking, which allows water to seep in and cause rot and decay," he adds.
The fix depends on what state your decking or fencing is already in. "The best way to protect exterior wood from UV damage is with a specialised protector like a decking restorer or fence protector," Jimmy explains.
If yours is already discoloured, it's not necessarily a lost cause. "A decking restorer can be used to refresh it back to its original state," Jimmy says, before reapplying an oil, stain or paint to protect it going forward.
Thankfully for me, paving and stone courtyards fare much better. Stone and concrete are far more UV-stable than timber, though even paving can lose some colour intensity after years of being exposed to direct sunlight.
This Ronseal stain keeps decking protected from the elements and everyday wear and tear, lasting twice as long as standard decking stain. It's best used on relatively new wooden decks, as it will help brighten up the natural colour without covering up the wood grains.
Ronseal’s Decking Restorer offers a quick and easy way to safely restore tired looking decking, returning it to its natural appearance ready to be protected or painted. Get loads of decking restorer on your brush and work on around 3-4 deck boards at a time.
Jimmy is the Senior Brand Manager at Ronseal. He regularly provides insights and guidance on how to properly prepare wood for treatment, as well as handy tips and hints for general woodcare projects.
5. Fabrics and upholstery
I'll admit I assumed the real damage was outside, until I looked properly at my armchair and realised the sun had been working on my interiors just as steadily.
This issue, it turns out, was entirely predictable. "The biggest risk to our sofa during a heatwave isn't actually the heat itself, it's prolonged exposure to direct sunlight," explains Sergiu Tulbur, head of product innovation and design at OPA Living.
"UV rays gradually break down the dyes used in upholstery, causing colours to fade or become uneven, particularly on the side of the sofa that faces the window." It's not just colour either. "Heat can also dry out natural materials such as leather, making them more prone to cracking over time, while repeated periods of high temperatures can affect the resilience of foam fillings, meaning cushions may not spring back quite as well."
Some fabrics fare worse than others. "Upholstery made from cotton, linen or velvet is generally more prone to fading because natural fibres absorb dyes differently to synthetic fabrics," Sergiu explains.
"Performance fabrics and many synthetic upholstery materials are designed to be more resistant to fading, but no sofa is completely protected if it's left in direct sunlight day after day."
The solution isn't always as simple as moving a sofa either. "Rotating seat and back cushions regularly will help prevent one area fading faster than another, while leather should be conditioned every few months to maintain its natural moisture," Sergiu advises.
For anything too large or heavy to reposition, he points to another option. "UV filtering solar window film is another effective option many homeowners don't consider. It helps reduce the amount of harmful UV entering the room without significantly reducing natural light, offering year-round protection for both your furniture and other home furnishings."
Tinted black, this static cling film suits spaces like south-facing conservatories especially well in summer. It offers 78% heat protection, blocks 88% of light and cuts UV exposure by 92%. A cutting grid on the back makes straight lines simple to follow.
6. Original art and prints
My hallway prints and paintings also had every reason to fade. "UV radiation breaks down the pigments in your prints slowly, and heat speeds the whole thing up," says Julia Kindermann, print industry specialist at Custtom.
"Blues and yellows go first, so the image starts looking a bit 'off' colour-wise before it looks obviously faded. It hits canvas prints, photo prints, framed art, and, to be honest, anything hanging in a room that gets direct sun. South-facing rooms and conservatories are the worst, as they trap heat and basically cook whatever's on the walls."
I found the fix was simple. I now keep valuable pieces off direct-sun walls where I can, and the same UV window film protecting my furniture does the same for my artwork.
7. Flooring
It hadn't occurred to me to check the floor until I read what Ian Tomlinson, managing director of Chauncey's Timber Flooring, had to say about it.
"As much as we love sunlight streaming into our homes, it's inevitable that any natural materials in your home will change colour with prolonged contact with the sun's rays," he says. "The sun's ultraviolet light is generally the biggest culprit when it comes to colour changes in wood flooring."
Like most sun damage, it's slow enough to go unnoticed until something forces the comparison. "In most cases, you probably won't even notice the change in your floor's colour as it will happen so gradually, but it can be noticeable when you move a piece of furniture which has been blocking the sun for a long time." That's a familiar story by this point.
Not every floor reacts the same way, either. "Different wood species react differently to sun exposure. Some will lighten, some will darken, and each species reacts at different rates." If you're choosing flooring with this in mind, Ian's advice is to keep it simple. "I advise opting for a light hardwood species such as oak or ash. These species are less prone to significant or sudden colour change."
Uneven fading is the more common complaint though, the patch under a rug or sofa staying its original shade while the rest of the room moves on without it. Ian recommends, "balancing out the fading by rearranging furniture and floor coverings from time to time. This helps the floor age more evenly and reduces noticeable differences in colour."
This oil and wax based biocide-free wood preservative is suitable for interior and exterior use and ideal for high moisture environments, such as wet rooms, kitchens and bathrooms.
Chaunceys Timber Flooring is a family-run company based in Bristol with Ian becoming the Managing Director in 2012. They have been supplying sustainable, high-quality timber flooring to homeowners, award-winning architects, design and build companies, and renowned interior designers since 1988.
Can sun damage ever be undone?
After everything I’d heard, this was the question I most wanted answered. The answer was mixed and proves that prevention really is everything when it comes to UV damage.
It depends entirely on the material, according to Joe Burton. "Paint that has faded or is chalking can be repainted, though the underlying surface might still be brittle. Severely cracked or rotted wood will need replacing."
Fabric and photographs are the least forgiving of all. "Faded leather or fabrics are extremely difficult to restore to their original colour, and replacement is often the only practical option once the colour has been significantly bleached," he says.
"Similarly, photographs cannot be repaired once they have faded. The key is prevention, as restoration is limited once the damage has set in."
FAQs
What can I do if I'm building or renovating this summer?
There's a less obvious risk worth knowing about if you're currently rendering, painting or finishing an exterior. Neil Reed, owner of Lime Render Southwest, argues the sun itself often isn't the real culprit.
"For many exterior building materials, sunlight itself isn't usually the problem once the product has fully cured," he says. "However, if it's exposed to intense heat or strong sunshine before it's had enough time to cure properly, it can dry out too quickly.
"That interrupts the curing process, meaning it may never develop the strength it was designed to have," he explains. "You won't always see the effects immediately, everything can look perfectly fine when the job is finished, but over time it may not perform as expected because it never fully hardened in the first place."
I'm not building or renovating myself, but for anyone who is, it's worth thinking about UV resistance at the design stage too, not just the timing of the work.
"Specifying materials with inherent UV resistance from the outset is the most effective strategy," says Joe Burton.
"This means choosing paints and cladding formulated with UV-resistant pigments and stabilisers." That thinking can extend to the design itself. "Shade provided through eaves, pergolas or strategic landscaping can also reduce direct sun exposure on the most vulnerable walls and windows, protecting both the external materials and the interior from UV-A penetration."
What can I do to stop my old glazing letting in UV light?
It turns out the glass in my ancient windows was doing far less to protect my interiors than I realised. "Older glazing can allow rooms to take the full force of the sun day after day, especially where you've got big panes of glass, patio doors, French doors, bi-folds, or bay windows," says Darren Coates.
"Natural light is great, but uncontrolled sunlight can be brutal on interiors," he confirms. Conservatories tend to come off worst, particularly older ones with a polycarbonate roof rather than a solid one, taking the sun's full force from above as well as through the walls.
Simon Browne, national training manager at Luxaflex UK, points to shading as the fix. "External shading solutions such as awnings and exterior screens intercept the sun's rays before they reach the glass, reducing both heat and UV exposure indoors," he says. Honeycomb blinds are one of the more effective indoor options, he adds, capable of reducing "UV rays by up to 99.9%."
By the time I'd spoken to everyone, I'd ordered UV film for my windows, moved that armchair for good, and I'm eyeing up a set of external blinds for the room that gets the worst of the afternoon sun.
My garden cushion, sadly, is beyond saving. But everything else in the house has a fighting chance now that I'm actually paying attention. For more advice on managing your home in a heatwave, find out what you can do to prevent overheating when designing one, and if you're struggling to keep cool right now, here's what's involved if you're thinking of installing air con.
