What Are The Different Types Of Window Tint?
Many new car buyers think that tinting car windows is something that car enthusiasts do to make their cars look exotic. But window tinting can keep the inside of the car cool and comfortable during hot and humid summertime. It can also protect you from Sun’s harmful UV Rays. Depending on the type of window tint you choose and the car or truck you have, window tinting can cost anywhere between $200 to $500 or sometimes even $1,000. When you are investing such an amount, you expect to know everything about Car Window Tinting. So, in this guide, we will see the benefits of window tinting and also take a look at different types of window tint that are commonly available.
What Is Window Tinting?
Window Tinting is a procedure of applying a special sheet of window film on the inside of a car’s glass windows. The laminate film is made up of a polyester base and it makes the car windows darker.
There are several reasons why you need to consider window tinting. The first thing is the darker shade of the window film makes it difficult for peeping toms to look into your car. There is also an aesthetic appeal to window tinting as it makes your car stand out from the rest.
But the main benefit of applying window tint is to keep your car cool, we mean literally cool. If you are from Phoenix, Las Vegas, Miami, or other similar hot and humid cities, you know how hot the insides of your car can get, especially during summertime.
If you apply window tint, it will not only keep away the heat from entering inside the car but also rejects harmful UV Rays (UVA Rays that cause skin cancer).
Certain luxury cars are coming with some sort of window treatment from the factory itself. Don’t worry, even if your car doesn’t come with pre-applied window tint, you can contact a reputable and professional auto workshop (that does this kind of “saloon” job) and ask them to apply.
Advantages Of Window Tinting
Gives You Privacy
Apart from the main windscreen (or windshield), you can apply window tint to the rest of the car’s windows and glass. This can provide some privacy from nosy people looking into your car.
Keeps Heat Away
The darker film of the window tint can keep the heat of the Sun and surroundings from entering inside your car. This makes the car’s interior temperature a little bit lower. Very useful during summer.
Rejects UV Rays
In addition to keeping the heat away, window tint can also block harmful UV Rays from the Sun, which we all know can cause skin cancer (depending on the exposure levels).
Improves Fuel Efficiency
With less heat and UV Rays entering the car, you will need less cooling. This means your Air Conditioner usage will be minimum or the temperature you set will be optimum.
As a result, there is a chance that you increase the overall fuel efficiency of your car or truck.
Reduces Glare
We all faced this issue when driving at night. Glare on the glass can make it harder to see the ORVMs or even through the glass. The window tint can reduce the glare for better night-time visibility.
Aesthetics
Last but not least, window tinting can bring out an aesthetic appeal to your car. This is a subjective matter. Not only your car or truck will stand out from the rest but also makes the car attractive.
Types Of Window Tint
Now that we have seen a little bit about Window Tinting and its benefits, let us now quickly take a look at different types of Window Tint. The knowledge about these window tints comes in handy as different regions have different climates and temperatures.
Severely hotter places such as Phoenix might need one kind of Window Tint while moderately hotter places such as Houston might need an entirely different kind of Window Tint.
Ceramic Window Tint
Let us start with the best of them. The Ceramic Window Tint offers a very high-quality window tinting experience. In this type, the film consists of tiny non-conductive ceramic particles. This is important as doesn’t block RF Transmission from Cell Phones, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc.
Coming to the main purpose of the Window Tint, the Ceramic Window Tint blocks up to 50% of heat from the Sun. It can also block more than 99% of UV radiation from the Sun.
There is a significant reduction in glare on the windows. Also, they don’t easily fade and can make the window shatter-proof. People often confuse Ceramic Tint with Ceramic Coating, but both are very different with different sets of applications.
All these benefits of Ceramic Window Tint come at a heavy price tag. Also, the film is less dark than other types of Window Tint. So, if privacy is your main concern, then this is not the right type for you.
Pros and Cons
+ Rejects up to 50% of heat
+ Block more than 99% of UV Rays
+ Prevents glare
+ Doesn’t fade easily
– Very expensive
– Not suitable for privacy
Carbon Window Tint
The next best type of Window Tint is Carbon induced Window Tint. Similar to Ceramic Window Tint, Carbon Window Tint can also block a large amount of heat, up to 40%.
A unique thing about Carbon Window Tint is its matte finish. That’s right, it gives a matte finish to your windows. It can also block harmful UV Rays.
As a result, it can prevent the fading of interior leather, upholstery, and plastics. It is also an expensive option but not that high when you compare it with ceramic tint.
Pros and Cons
+ Matte Finish
+ Very durable
+ Blocks heat and UV Rays
+ Protects car’s interiors
+ Slightly darker appearance
– Expensive but not as much as ceramic
Dyed Window Tint
After looking at the two premium window tinting options, let us dial back a little and check the entry-level option. In a Dyed Window Tint, you have several layers of infused dye between a polyester film that absorb the heat from the Sun.
Due to the dyed nature of the film, the shade is slightly darker than average. Hence, you get a lot more privacy from this type. But sadly, the Dyed Window Tint doesn’t block any UV Radiation.
It is also one of the cheapest types of Window Tinting. There are better tinting types that offer good performance.
Pros and Cons
+ Least expensive option
+ Darker shade than other types
+ More Privacy
+ Absorbs heat from the Sun
– Layers can separate over time
– No UV Protection
– Chances of bubbles if not installed with care
– Can fade
Metallized Window Tint
The next best thing to Dyed Window Tint is Metallized Window Tint. It also contains layers in the film. But the main difference between this and Dyed Window Tint is that it consists of tint metallic particles (usually Titanium) between the polyester layers instead of dye.
As a result, this type gives your windows a metallic feel and finish. Additionally, it also adds some strength to the window. It even makes the glass scratch-resistant from the inside to some extent.
While it can block a good amount of heat from the Sun, it can block UV Radiation only to a certain level. Due to the metallic nature of this film, there is a chance that it blocks or interferes with radio signals.
Pros and Cons
+ Very durable
+ Makes your windows strong, shatter-proof, and scratch-resistant
+ Can block heat and to some extent UV Rays
+ As it is metal, it blocks heat during summer and cold during winter from entering
– Slightly expensive than Dyed Window Tint
– Might interfere with radio signals
– Shiny finish
Hybrid Window Tint
As the name suggests, Hybrid Window Tint is a combination of Dyed Window Tint and Metallized Window Tint. The film consists of both dye and metallic particles between the polyester layers.
It has the benefits of both Dyed and Metallized Window Tints while minimizing their drawbacks. It can block a good amount of heat and UV Rays.
Pros and Cons
+ Block heat, UV Rays
+ Prevents glare from headlights
+ Not reflective and slightly less dark yet neat look
+ No interior fading
+ Less expensive than Metallized Window Tint
– Slightly expensive than Dyed Window Tint
Crystalline Window Tint
If you want to block heat and UV Rays without any privacy, then Crystalline Window Tint is the right option. The Crystalline Window Tint is very clear in appearance but can block heat from the Sun and even UV Rays.
Pros and Cons
+ Block Heat and UV Rays
+ Very transparent finish
– No dark shade option
– Not suitable for privacy
Is Window Tint Legal?
Different regions of the world have different rules and regulations associated with Window Tinting. Some states completely ban the usage of any kind of window tint. But some states allow window tint with various levels of dark shades.
So, before applying a Window Tint, make sure to check with local regulations and DMV to get the necessary information.
Conclusion
Window Tinting is a simple process of applying a protective layer of film on the inside of the car’s window. This can block or absorb heat from the Sun, reject UV Rays, and even reduce glare.
In this guide, we saw the basics of Window Tinting. We also saw different types of Window Tint along with their pros and cons.
We highly recommend you to check with your local law before applying any sort of Window Tinting.
