Understand the legal terminology for legalities and tint laws
Choosing a window film grade and professional automotive service center for auto tint
The application process of automotive window tints
By now you’re probably familiar with the hot dreadful summers in the desert, whether you live in Las Vegas or Arizona, you know just how hot and brutal the heat can be. Like many car owners you want to be as cool, and as comfortable as you can be when driving. Who likes the sun and heat blaring in their line of sight or on their skin while in their car? Not us. With the help of our skilled and trained professionals car owners like you can reap the amazing benefits of window tint for your car(s).
Window tint for cars comes in a variety of materials, shades and unique attributes. There are automotive window tints that are more transparent, some designed for visual enhancement, and others that provide infrared protection, and UV protection with superior clarity. With so many different types of automotive window tints, materials, and brands of tint in the marketplace today, it’s not a surprise to learn that many of us car owners simply don’t have all the facts.
It’s our duty to bring you all the information and detailed information that you need. We will touch on the different types of tints, how they are manufactured, the application techniques, how long they will last, and some tips determining which tint is best for your individual needs.
What are the different types of auto window tint for cars?
There are thousands of individual brands of window tints for cars in the marketplace today. With so many options, choosing the right auto tint is usually a time-consuming and frustrating process for the consumer. With that said, there are roughly 6 different types of tinting for car windows. With each grade or type of auto tense, comes different benefits, and price points.
Here are the top six types of window tint for automotive applications.
For a car owner, who is looking for an entry-level option for auto tint film, a dyed variant provides an affordable option. The main benefit of this tint is to block sunlight via multiple layers in a few ways that absorbs solar heat, and reduces the potential of increasing cabin temperature. However, it doesn’t provide protection against UV exposure. It’s available in multiple visible light transmissions which makes it more of a visual enhancement type of window tint.
A level up from the dyed window tint is a metallized window tint. It is made of metalized materials. Instead of using dyed materials these films are infused with small particles of metals to block the sunlight. A metal East End produces a rather rich, shine, or luster, but also provides added strength to the window – which reduces the potential of window shattering.
There are several benefits to metallized Window Films, including:
It’s effectiveness of blocking heat from entering into the vehicle
The tints effectiveness to reduce glare tremendously
The effectiveness at blocking harmful UV rays, but it’s still not the best option available amongst all automotive window tints
Hybrid Dyed & Metallic Window Film Blend
The hybrid auto tint is a good option. If you were looking for the best of both tints listed above. This type of window tint typically consists of a gray dye and titanium metallic flakes. This auto tent option is not too dark, nor reflective, which makes it a good option for blocking UV rays, reducing skin, sun exposure inside, while providing a mid-level tinted film that doesn’t negatively impact nighttime driving.
The three window tint options listed above are considered the ‘entry level’ – carbon infused and elevated material. Now this is where the tinting health benefits begin to play part, by creating a more comfortable cabin experience. Its finish helps block nearly 40% of infrared radiation – which is the main contributor to increasing internal cabin temperature. It also does a good job at blocking UV exposure – which is what leads to feeding and aging of interior materials, like plastics, leather seats, and dashboards.
Another positive attribute of the carbon tint film is that it does not fade like those mentioned above. As such it tends to last longer and hold up for several years. The trade-off of course is an elevated price point.
Window TintingA lot of car owners seek comfort, and cooler temperatures along with protective benefits of car window tints, but without the darkening of socks. This is possible by choosing a Crystalline window tint. This automotive window film is designed to block UV radiation, along with infrared radiation – which ultimately keeps the inside of your vehicle much cooler, reduces the potential of extended wear and tear of the interior of the vehicle based on the darkness given by the window tint. In a nutshell, this is a reasonable option for a car owner, who wants the heat rejecting benefits, the protection and wants a clear and less darkened window tint on their car.
Now that you’ve seen that all of the auto window tint options are a whole ball of wax. With all the different options that we’ve already introduced, there’s still more. Next is ceramic infused window film for your vehicle. This is the best of all worlds as it’s developed and manufactured using small ceramic – based particles that are highly non-conductive. This means that it does not reduce electronic transmissions from cell phones, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, or other communication devices.
The ceramic window tents also can block up to 50% of solar heat without any reduction invisibility; they produce exceptional, shatter resistance, reduce glare, or fading, and effectively block 99.9% of UV exposure. Now the ceramic window tint is quite different from ceramic coatings. We can explore more of that in the future article.
Within the United States and Canada, car window tinting laws are all based on the individual state or providence. There is no centralized window tint rule for legality across the entire country. The American automobile association, or AAA has a detailed list of window tint regulations based on each US state and Canadian providence. We have also prepared an article for you to review the specific regulations within the United States by clicking this link.
Some of these terms are a bit confusing and technical so here is an easy to understand breakdown list of the technical language that you’ll find.
Tint Darkness: the darkness of window tint is measured by the visible light transmission percentage. This is often and abbreviated as VLT%
Front Side Windows: When a regulation talks about the front side window, they are referring to the two windows directly next to the driver and passenger seats. In a sedan, this would include the front doors, while a coupe would include the only two doors on the vehicle.
Front Side Windows: When a regulation talks about the front side window, they are referring to the two windows directly next to the driver and passenger seats. In a sedan, this would include the front doors, while a coupe would include the only two doors on the vehicle.
Rear Side Windows: The side windows or rear side windows will refer to windows that are behind the driver and passenger seat. For multiple row vehicles such as SUVs, this will include any windows on doors behind the front or solid windows molded into the body. There are also regulations for rear window installations, but they are usually not as stringent as other vehicle window locations.
Window Shade Band: The front windshield may receive a window shade band, which is applied to the top section of the windshield. The size of this film and the tint darkness percentage will vary based on individual states and provinces.
AS1 line: Each glass manufacturer includes an AS1 marking near the top left or right side of the windshield. This certifies that the tinted window complies with US or Canadian Department of Transportation regulations. In most cases, the AS1 line can’t be blocked.
Tint Reflection: As we mentioned above, some window films such as metallic window tint have a reflective quality.
The / Symbol: Typically – state regulations will document different factory tint percentages and other criteria based on the type of vehicle. If you see different tint legal numbers or percentages that are separated by a “/” symbol, it will separate two types of vehicles. The first number will indicate ‘cars’ including a coupe or sedan, while the number after the / symbol will be specific for SUVs or multiple passenger vans.
Within all of the different types of window tints come multiple shades of darkness of the tent itself. We will discuss the legality of these tint percentages below.
There are two paths you can travel when choosing any car window tint for your vehicle. The first option and most popular is having a professional auto center complete the tent service for you. The professional shop will handle all of the proper custom fit the window tint, apply it, and in some cases, offer a warranty for longevity.
Several window tinting shops can also complete paint protection film services like a plain paint protection film and ceramic coatings, so you can honestly have everything done to your new car at the same time
The other option is the do-it-yourself method. This is becoming increasingly popular with DIY enthusiasts, as technology has made it easier for the average detail or to purchase pre-cut windows, film and apply themselves. Most of these DIY window tint film products are intended to block harmful UV rays versus blocking IR heat. UV protection is an important attribute that any window tint film should possess.
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