Car Window Tinting - What to Know before you buy

Since the invention of radial tires, window tinting has existed. The 1958 Chevrolet Impala, one of the earliest cars to have tinted glass installed at the factory, was one of those first vehicles. 3M's window tinting was not very good when it was introduced in 1966. It trapped heat inside vehicles and bubbled, turning purple instead of reflecting light.

The second-generation of window tinting film, which was introduced in the 1990s, reflects more UV and IR rays and absorbs heat better than the original version.

Modern window tinting is able to reduce interior temperature by up to 60%, block up 99 percent of UV rays and filter 90% of infrared radiation from the sun. The Skin Cancer Foundation recommends decreasing exposure to UV rays in order to protect against UV radiation. UV radiation is a major cause of skin cancer.

What is car window tinting?

Tinting is the process of darkening Vehicle Glass in order to reduce Visible light Transference (VLT), the amount visible light passing through the glass. The percentage of visible light that passes through is used to measure VLT. The more visible light (VL) it lets through, the higher its VLT.

What are the different types of car window tinting?

The two types are factory and aftermarket.

Factory Window Tinting

When tinted factory glass (also known as tinted window glass) is manufactured, dyes and pigments are directly added to the raw materials. Glass color and VLT are determined by the type and quantity of additives. The VLT for factory window tinting is typically between 74 and 85 percent.

The tinted glass on most vehicles in the United States is standard. The manufacturers found that reducing UV/IR allowed the air conditioning to run more efficiently, and kept your vehicle cooler. This would use less energy.

Aftermarket window tint

A plastic film (also known as window tinting or aftermarket window tint) is usually polyester and applied to the interior of the window. As with factory tinting, the final tint color, the VLT, and the reflective properties of the film are affected by the different types and amounts of additives.

The VLT for aftermarket window tints from tint shops can range from five percent (super-dark, AKA limo) allowing almost no light to 90 percent (virtually transparent), which is a high-tech nanotechnology film that absorbs over 60 percent of solar energy total and more than 90% of infrared.

Both reduce interior temperatures and protect surfaces against damaging UV rays.

What are the different types of window tints?

Aftermarket window tints come in many different types, each with their own unique characteristics, features and properties. Window tints are designed to reduce or block glare from the sun and all have three layers.

• The adhesive.
• The color. Additional layers may include dyes, metal, ceramic, or carbon particles, depending on the type.
• The top is protected from chips and scratches.

Most common types of window tinting, from least to most expensive

• Dyed Window Tint
  • Most often used for privacy and appearance. The VLT of dyed window tint is the darkest, but it does not prevent from seeing approaching cars or objects.
  • Cons: Does not interfere with electronic devices, is non-reflective and reduces interior temperatures.
  • Cons: The layers can separate and break (delamination), bubble up if they are not installed properly, and fade with time.
• Metalized window tint
  • It is thicker because it has more layers. Metallic particles are embedded in the layers to reflect heat, darken glass and block ultraviolet radiation.
  • Cons: The material is not durable, but it resists fading, and it reflects solar power, which allows your air conditioner to operate more efficiently.
  • Cons: Shiny look. Metal particles can interfere with electronic vehicle such as cell phone signals, GPS, and tire pressure monitoring systems.
• Hybrid Window Tint
  • Combining the best of both dyed and metallic window tints.
  • Pros: Reduces interior upholstery fading , blocks heat and UV radiation, is durable.
  • Cons: Costlier than metalized or dyed window tint.
• Carbon Window Tint
  • This film is made up of hundreds of micro-layers of polymer and a carbon. This film has a matte black finish with a dark color that resists fading and reduces UV and IR harsh effects.
  • Cons: Does not affect electronic devices, increases privacy and helps reduce interior heat levels.
  • Cons: Expensive.
• Ceramic Window Tint
  • This is the most advanced, high-quality window tint on the market. Ceramic particles that are nonconductive and nonmetallic absorb and reflect solar energy, thereby reducing the amount of solar energy entering your vehicle.
  • Pros: Reduces interior upholstery fading, increases optical transparency and virtually shatterproof glass.
  • Cons: It's expensive and it doesn't offer privacy.