Installing window tints on your vehicle can provide many benefits. Window tinting not only makes your car look sleek and stylish, but it also protects your interior from sun damage. Window tint can block up to 99% of ultraviolet rays, keeping your dashboard, seats, and other interior surfaces from cracking and fading. Tinted windows also provide privacy, security, and even thermal insulation to help keep your vehicle cool.
With so many options on the market, how do you choose the best auto window tint for your specific needs? This comprehensive guide will walk you through the key factors when shopping for new window tints. From film types and tint levels to legal limits and professional installation, we’ve covered everything you need to know to find the ideal window tints for your car, truck, or SUV.
- Consider Your Climate and Sun Exposure
The climate you live in and the sun your car gets should play a significant role in choosing the right window tint. Living in a hot, sunny locale will require a darker tint with maximum heat and UV ray rejection. A lighter hue is pleasing if you live in a cooler, less sunny climate.
You’ll also want to consider which windows get the most direct sunlight. Windows that bear the brunt of sun exposure, such as your windshield and front side windows, will benefit the most from dark tinting. Lighter tint can work well for rear and back side windows that see less sun.
- Choose Between Dyed, Metallized, and Ceramic Films
Window films come in three major types:
- Dyed tint contains colored dyes to block light. This is the most affordable option but also the least effective.
- Metalized tint has a thin metal coating for better heat and glare reduction. It blocks more light than dyed films.
- Ceramic tint contains nano-ceramic particles for the best performance but at a higher cost. Ceramic films block the most heat and UV rays.
The type of tint you choose will impact the overall effectiveness, longevity, and price. Ceramic and metalized tints hold up better over time than cheaper dyed films.
- Understand Tint Levels and Darkness
The tint’s darkness, or visible light transmission (VLT), is measured in percentages. The higher the percentage, the lighter the tint. Expected VLT levels include:
- 20% VLT – Very dark limo tint, not legal for front windows in most states
- 35% VLT – Dark tint, ideal for privacy and UV protection
- 50% VLT – Medium tint, balances glare reduction with visibility
- 70% VLT – Light tint, permissible on front windows in most states
Consider going darker on rear windows for privacy while using a lighter shade on driver and passenger windows to maintain visibility. Remember that the darker the tint, the more it will reduce glare and heat.
- Know Your State’s Laws on Window Tinting
Window tint laws vary considerably by state. Nearly every state permits aftermarket tint on rear and back windows, but the regulations on front window tint tend to be stricter. Standard legal limits for front windows are:
- 70% VLT and higher – Legal in most states
- 50-60% VLT – Legal in some states
- Less than 50% VLT – Not legal on front windows in most states
Installing excessively dark tinting on your front windows can lead to tickets, fines, and forced film removal. Check your state’s laws beforehand and get the lightest legal tint for your windshield and front side windows.
- Get All the Windows Tinted, Not Just the Back Ones
For the most effective heat, glare, and UV protection, you’ll want to tint all the windows on your vehicle, not just the rear ones. The front windshield and side windows take the brunt of the sun’s damaging rays. Leaving them untinted allows heat and light to enter through the front and raise the interior temperature.
Tinting only the back leaves your interior hotter and does little to protect front-facing surfaces from UV damage. Getting all windows tinted creates a cocoon effect that keeps your whole car cool and protected. Match lighter tints on the front with darker ones in the back for the best combo.
- Add Extra Heat and Glare Protection to the Windshield
Applying aftermarket window tint to the entire windshield is illegal in most states. However, you can install explicit ceramic IR heat-blocking films to limit heat and glare further without darkening the windscreen.
These specially engineered films contain advanced ceramic particles that reflect infrared heat. This protects heat by keeping infrared rays from radiating through the windshield into the cabin. Explicit ceramic films also reduce glare without noticeably altering visibility.
- Hire a Professional for Installation
Applying high-quality window tint takes skill, patience, and the right tools. The film must be installed smoothly without bubbles, debris, or errors leading to peeling or visual defects. Hire a professional auto tint shop rather than attempting a DIY application for the best results.
Experienced window tint installers have the training, clean facilities, and precision tools to get a flawless factory-like finish. Professional installation also carries a warranty for your peace of mind. While DIY films may cost less initially, a faulty amateur tint job can peel, bubble, discolor, or even reduce visibility. Protect your investment by hiring pro installers.
Conclusion
Choosing a new window tint for your car, truck, or SUV requires carefully weighing factors like climate, film type, darkness levels, and laws. Lightly tinted ceramic films provide the best heat, glare, and UV protection without compromising visibility or legality. Get all the windows professionally tinted for best results, not just the rear ones.
What tips do you have for picking out the ideal window tints for your vehicle? Did you opt for a lighter or darker shade? Share your experiences in the comments below!
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