Do Grow Lights Fade Furniture? (Everything You Need To Know)

Some grow lights are extremely powerful.

They can damage our skin and our eyes.

They could even give us cancer.

Do grow lights fade furniture just as easily as they can damage us?

It is possible. But not likely.

Most growers will not have to worry about this, especially if you use a dedicated room or grow tent (always a good idea).

But if not, you may need to take extra precautions. Keep reading to learn when you need to worry about your grow light damaging your furniture and how you can prevent it.

 

Do Grow Lights Fade Furniture?

Yes, grow lights can fade furniture. But it’s pretty unlikely if you are using your grow lights as intended. Plus, the main culprit in causing furniture to fade is UV radiation, so only lights that emit UV wavelengths are likely to have this effect.

UV rays are invisible to the naked eye, but they can cause damage to furniture by breaking down the bonds in the materials that make up the furniture, making it appear less lustrous and faded.

LED grow lights emit very little UV radiation, if any at all, so they are less likely to fade furniture than other types of grow lights. But, if used incorrectly, even LED grow lights can cause fading over time.

To avoid fading your furniture as you grow your plants, pay attention to the distance between the furniture and the lights, the intensity of the grow lights, the duration of exposure to the lights, and the type of materials from which your furniture is made.

As long as you follow the manufacturer’s guidelines for your grow lights, you should have very little to worry about regarding your furniture.

 

Factors To Pay Attention To

Before setting up and using your new grow lights for the first time, read through the manufacturer’s guidelines to see their recommendations. As you read through, pay special attention to any mention of the following factors:

• Distance between the furniture and the lights: The closer the furniture is to the lights, the more light it will receive and the more likely it is to fade.
• Intensity of the lights: The more intense the lights, the more likely they are to fade furniture. Check your settings against those recommended by the manufacturer.
• Duration of exposure to the lights: The longer the furniture is exposed to the lights, the more it will be prone to fading.
• Type of furniture: Some types of furniture are more susceptible to fading than others. Light-colored furniture and furniture made from synthetic materials will be more likely to fade than darker-colored furniture and items made from natural materials.

 

How To Spare Your Furniture Using Grow Tents

One way to both protect your furniture from fading, and also improve your yield, is to invest in a grow tent. Grow tents are enclosed spaces that you can use to create a controlled environment for growing your plants indoors.

They are typically made of reflective materials, which helps to trap the light inside and maximize the efficiency of your grow lights. They usually feature ventilation systems so you can regulate the temperature and humidity inside the tent, allowing you to provide your plants with the perfect growing conditions.

Aside from being able to control the environmental conditions within your grow tent, it can also help to protect your furniture from any UV light. Grow tents are designed to contain the light and heat from grow lights. They keep them inside and prevent any UV rays from reaching your furniture.

If you are worried about your furniture fading and/or you want to create a more ideal environment for your plants to flourish inside, then you may want to consider buying in a grow tent.

Here are a few tips to consider when shopping around for your new grow tent:

• Choose a grow tent that is the right size for your needs: They are available in a wide range of sizes and dimensions, and you should be able to find a suitable one for your grow space. And if you buy a small grow tent, they’re not expensive at all.
• Place the grow tent in a well-ventilated area: Or use a suitable ventilation system that will help you keep the temperature inside the tent controlled and that can also help you manage any odors.
• Set up the grow lights according to the manufacturer’s instructions: Ensure you have followed the guidelines correctly and have paid special attention to setting your lights at the correct distance from your plants, with no light escaping the tent.
• Monitor the temperature and humidity inside the tent: While the temperature and humidity inside won’t have any effect on your furniture, they will have an effect on your yield!

 

Which Grow Lights Fade Furniture The Most?

There are a few different types of grow lights available on the market. When it comes to their ability to fade furniture, they are not all equal.

Of all the different types of grow lights, high-pressure sodium (HPS) lights are the most likely to fade furniture, since they emit emit more UV radiation than other types of lights.

Other types of grow lights, such as metal halide (MH) lights and fluorescent lights, also emit some UV radiation (though not as much as HPS lights) and can also have a negative effect on your furniture, if used incorrectly.

Of all your options, LED grow lights are the least likely to fade furniture, because they tend to emit very little UV radiation. However, you should still check the specifications. Different models emit different wavelengths of light in different quantities.

If you are concerned about your furniture fading, it is best to plump for LED grow lights. If you must use other types of grow lights, make sure to place them at a distance from the furniture and use a dimmer switch to reduce the intensity of the lights.

Better still, invest in a grow tent or put your indoor grow in a separate room that is free of any valuable furniture. That way you can be sure you keep any harmful rays away from your brand new three-piece suite.

 

Which Materials Does UV Light Damage?

UV light can affect many synthetic and natural polymers, including neoprene, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), fabrics, and most types of rubber. But not all materials are harmed by exposure to UV light. Metals, ceramics, and many types of glass are generally UV-resistant and should not fade at all.

 

Will LED Grow Lights Fade Furniture?

LED grow lights are unlikely to fade furniture. As mentioned, LED grow lights tend to be the safest types of grow lights, in terms of the possibility of them causing fading to your furniture. But there are some LED grow lights that emit UV radiation.

Most only emit small amounts that should not have much of an effect. But if you have an LED grow light that emits only UV light, it could fade your furniture. Make sure you take the necessary precautions.

 

Do Grow Lights Damage Furniture: Final Thoughts

It is certainly possible that your grow lights could cause fading damage to your furniture. But it is unlikely. UV wavelengths are the ones that cause damage and most grow lights don’t emit a ton of UV light. As long as you use them correctly, you should not have any issues.

If you have actual UV fixtures, because you want the additional boost UV light can provide to plants, then you may want to contain your grow operation in a separate room or a grow tent. Honestly, this is always a good idea anyway.