Is there such a thing as a “fade-resistant” flag?
We’ve all experienced it: We spend a reasonable amount of dollars on new outdoor decor, not the $2 cheap stuff, but a decent $20 to $40 bucks worth. The package even says “fade-resistant.” You think you should get a product that lasts at least one season, completely intact and untarnished. I totally agree with you. $20 to $40 of your hard-earned dollars matters.
So you go shopping either in a store or online. You pick out what you think is the most gorgeous design. You bring it home and put it out for all your neighbors to envy – what taste and class you have to find such a thing of beauty! It totally captures their attention so that they can then notice your immaculate yard and beautiful garden. Then along about mid-summer the color starts to fade and fall flat.
What happened? How could this be?
The truth is that “fade-resistant” isn’t perfect. It will extend the life somewhat, unless you’ve placed it where it gets direct, intense sunlight for 8 or more hours a day. Strong winds or salt-water sea air can make it even worse.
The reason has to do with photodegradation. What does this mean? According to the website “Everyday Mysteries” from the Library of Congress (loc.gov):
“It is all about the chemical makeup of an object. The technical term for color fading is photodegradation. There are light absorbing color bodies called chromophores that are present in dyes. The color(s) we see are based upon these chemical bonds and the amount of light that is absorbed in a particular wavelength.
Ultraviolet rays can break down the chemical bonds and thus fade the color(s) in an object – it is a bleaching effect. Some objects may be more prone to fading, such as dyed textiles and watercolors. Other objects may reflect the light more, which makes them less prone to fade.”
HouseAndGardenFlags.com manufacturers treat their Fade-Resistant fabric decor with Suntex, Solarmax, or other fade-resistant products. Specially formulated inks and dyes contribute to the extended life, as well as strong 200 to 300 denier polyester blend fabrics.
Together, HouseAndGardenFlags.com and our various manufacturers care about quality as well as your hard-earned dollars and we strive to make them worth every penny.