"Timber flooring is a natural product that will react to sunlight over time — and for most Australians, that's exactly why we love it. Choose the right species, protect it wisely, and it will age beautifully for generations."— Mark Hutchison, Founder, Lifewood
Before buying a new timber floor, many Lifewood clients ask us the same questions: Will my timber floor fade? Can sunlight damage timber flooring? Will it turn yellow over time? These are valid concerns — and the answers depend on the timber species, the coating applied, and how much sunlight your home receives.
The good news is that with the right knowledge and a few practical precautions, sunlight needn't stop you from choosing the natural timber floor of your dreams. Most Australian hardwoods and French Oak floors don't fade — they deepen and enrich with age and UV exposure, becoming more beautiful over time.
Ready to see Lifewood's full range and find your perfect floor? Download our 2026 Price Guide for species, grades, and pricing across Perth and Australia-wide.
Download 2026 Price GuideThe reality is that natural hardwood timbers are photosensitive — they do react to UV rays. But they don't necessarily fade. Most hardwood species darken with age and UV light, rather than bleaching out.
French Oak typically deepens very subtly under direct sunlight. Only darker-stained French Oak colours may lose a little richness over time — and this is minimised with quality UV-resistant coatings.
Australian hardwoods (Jarrah, Marri, Spotted Gum, Blackbutt) show a more noticeable colour change. Their natural texture becomes richer and warmer with UV exposure, as individual grain traits deepen over time.
Bamboo flooring behaves differently: the natural pigments in bamboo are less UV-stable, and bamboo floors will lighten with prolonged sun exposure rather than darken.
When selecting a timber floor, it's worth considering how it will evolve in colour with age and sunlight exposure in your specific home.
If you're choosing bamboo, select a shade slightly darker than your desired outcome — accounting for its natural lightening over time. For Australian hardwoods and French Oak, consider starting with a slightly lighter tone, knowing it will warm and deepen beautifully.
If you live in an apartment with minimal direct sun exposure, this is less critical — floors with little UV exposure will remain closer to their original installed colour.
It's also worth knowing that most colour change occurs in the first 12 months after installation. After this initial period, the process slows and the floor settles into its long-term patina.
Many homeowners don't realise that internal lighting can also affect timber floor colour. Certain UV spectrums emitted by some indoor light sources — including older fluorescent tubes and some LED globes — can cause gradual colour change even in rooms that receive very little direct sunlight.
Lifewood has seen this happen in homes where the main floor area receives no direct sunlight, yet subtle colour changes occur due to internal UV light. The effect is very slow, but it's worth noting when choosing your lighting setup — look for low-UV LED options for rooms with exposed timber floors.
The key takeaway: timber flooring is a living, breathing natural material. Its evolution in colour is part of its character — not a flaw. With the right precautions, your floor will become richer and more beautiful with every passing year.
Browse our range of prefinished Australian hardwood and French Oak floors — all supplied with professional-grade UV-protective coatings.
Visit the Lifewood showroom in Perth to see how Australian hardwood, French Oak and bamboo floors look in natural light — and get expert advice on species, grades and UV-protective coatings for your home.
Download 2026 Price Guide Book an AppointmentSee every timber species in real light conditions. Our Perth showroom displays the full Lifewood range — helping you understand exactly how each floor will look and age in your home.
BOOK AN APPOINTMENTDownload Lifewood's comprehensive 2026 Price Guide for full species listings, grades, width options, and transparent pricing across our entire Australian hardwood and French Oak range.
DOWNLOAD PRICE GUIDETimber floors are photosensitive but don't get structurally damaged by normal sunlight. Most species change colour — deepening or warming — over time with UV exposure. With proper coatings and window treatments, your floor will age gracefully.
French Oak darkens subtly with sunlight. Australian hardwoods like Jarrah and Marri become richer and warmer in tone. Bamboo is the exception — it tends to lighten. Choosing a quality UV-resistant coating minimises unwanted colour change for all species.
Key steps: apply window tinting, install awnings, use blinds during peak sun hours, ensure your floor has a UV-stabilised polyurethane or hardwax oil coating, and rotate furniture positions periodically.
Prefinished floors with UV-cured polyurethane coatings offer the best protection. French Oak in lighter natural tones and Australian hardwoods (Spotted Gum, Blackbutt) age beautifully with sun rather than fading unattractively.
Most colour change happens in the first 12 months after installation as the timber reacts to UV and oxygen. After this initial period, change slows significantly and the floor develops a stable, rich patina.
Yes — some internal lighting sources emit UV spectrums that cause gradual colour changes in timber, even in rooms that receive little direct sunlight. Low-UV LED options are recommended for rooms with exposed timber floors.
Yes. Unlike most hardwoods that darken with UV, bamboo flooring tends to lighten over time. If choosing bamboo, select a shade slightly darker than your ideal end result to account for this lightening effect.
No — natural colour change due to UV and oxidation is a characteristic of natural hardwood, not a defect. A quality sealed floor will change gradually and naturally in a way that enhances its character.