7 Car window Tint Types & How to choose the best
Window tinting protects your privacy, helps to reduce the effects of the sun’s UV rays, and even keeps your vehicle cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, but with all the different types on the market, how do you decide which one to choose? Here’s what you should consider when choosing which type of window tint to use in your car.
Table of Contents
What are the types of Car window Tint
1. Dyed Tint
Dyed window tint might be a great fit for your car if you’re looking for an affordable tint. As the name suggests, dyed tint films has multiple layers of dyed film combined to form a tint. Dyed tint is the most popular tint and it works by absorbing UV rays and heat from the sun.
Dyed window tint is less effective against UV rays of the sun compared with other options available mainly because it doesn’t reflect them. The dye tend to fade with time and the life expectancy of dyed tint is around 3 years.
Most tint shops charge $100-250 to cover all car windows with dyed window tint.
2. Metalized Tint
Metalized window tint has small metal particles to block UV rays and heat from the sun and is much sturdier than dyed tint and can provide extra layer of safety to your car windows.
Metalized tint work by reflecting the sun rays and is much more effective in reducing the effects of UV rays and heat and helps to keep the occupants safe and cool when compared with dyed tint.
One disadvantage of Metalized tint is it can interfere with electromagnetic rays and you might experience problems with Radio, Mobile Phone and GPS signals. And they cost much more than dyed window tint and hybrid tint which we’ll be discussing next.
3. Hybrid Tint
Hybrid tint comes with a layer of dyed tint and a layer of metallic tint and can absorb and reflect sun rays at the same time without being too dark like dyed tint and without interfering with electromagnetic signals like with metalized tint.
Hybrid tint is expensive than dyed tint but is cheaper than metalized tint and is our recommendation if you want to have the benefits of window tint at an affordable price.
4. Laminated Tint
Laminated tint is incorporated in to the window of your car as a glass layer when manufacturing the window. This tint cannot be removed and cannot be applied separately after the manufacturing process of the window has finished.
5. Crystalline Tint
Crystalline tint is for drivers who want to enjoy the benefits of window tint such as blockage of UV rays without darkening the color of their windows as this tint is completely transparent.
6. Carbon Tint
Carbon tint contains carbon particles and does a very good job to protect your car’s interior from UV rays and helps to keep the temperature down. Carbon tint has a life expectancy of 5-7 years and costs more than all previous options.
7. Ceramic Tint
Ceramic tint is the most effective tint to protect against UV rays and keep the cabin temperature down and considered as the gold standard when comes to car window tinting.
The tint film has ceramic particles which act as insulators and provides excellent protection against all harmful rays from the sun. Ceramic tint doesn’t fade away like the other options and will last for a very long period of time.
Ceramic tint is the most expensive tint and can cost $800-1000 to cover the windows of your car.
Car Window Tinting Laws in US
Car window tinting laws and the legal percentages of tint allowed is different from state to state in the US. In general the tint should allow 25% – 35% light through them. This is called the VLT (Visible Light Transmission).
For example in Texas, Tint should be 25% VLT or more, meaning it should allow 25% or more light to pass through it. In Massachusetts the legal limit is 35% VLT.
Example of Tint Percentages
Following are VLT percentages. 15% means the tint is allowing only 15% of the light to pass through the window. When the VLT percentage increases the tint becomes lighter.
What are the advantages of Car window tinting?
First of all, before you go out and decide that you want to tint your car windows, it’s important to know why you’d even want to do this in the first place. There are several benefits of car window tinting, including reducing glare and keeping your car cooler during hot summer days, as well as adding style and privacy to the vehicle.
Skin Protection from UV Rays
During the summer, one of the best ways to protect your skin from the sun is by using a car window tint. Not only does it offer protection for you and your passengers, but it also helps keep the interior cool by reducing heat and glare. Some people might think that window tinting will make their car too hot, but this is not true! A good window film can actually reflect up to 80% of heat back out of the car.
Interior Protection
Car window tinting is a great way to protect the interior of your vehicle. The sun’s ultraviolet rays can cause damage to your upholstery and carpets, which can be expensive to replace. With window tint, you’ll be able to keep the interior in pristine condition much longer than it would have been otherwise. Plus, not only does this save money on replacement costs for the car, but it also saves people from having to look at ugly yellow stains all over their upholstery!
Heat Reduction inside the cabin
Tinting your car windows is a quick, easy and affordable way to not only protect your car interior from the sun and UV rays, but also reduce heat in the summer by keeping out 80% of the heat that comes through your window. It’s a great option for those days when you’re driving around town with all the windows down on a hot day.
Glare Reduction
Windshields and other windows in a car are often tinted because it helps to reduce the glare from sunlight or headlamps. This is especially useful for drivers in hot climates who have to deal with glaring sun all day long.
Improving Car’s appearance and Privacy
Window tinting is a great way to improve the appearance and privacy of your car. A light smoke or dark tint can make the color of your vehicle stand out while also providing protection from UV rays, heat, and glare. And with so many different types available, you can find a level that’s just right for you.
FAQs on Car Window Tinting
How much does it cost to tint car windows?
The cost of tinting windows depends on the tint material you choose and the cost of labor depending on the experience level of the tinter. For dyed tint, you’ll be charged $100-$250 while more expensive ceramic tint can cost between $800-$1000.
What is the best Car Window Tint?
Ceramic tint is considered as the gold standard in car window tinting as it can reflect 99% of the UV rays and Infrared rays and doesn’t interfere with electromagnetic signals and it doesn’t fade with time. If you’re looking for an affordable option, you can go for hybrid tint which is a combination of dyed tint and metalized tint and will provide good value for your money.
What is the legal limit for tint percentage?
The tint percentage varies from state to state in the US and generally falls within 25% to 35% VLT (Visible Light Transmission). VLT is the standard unit of measurement and 25% VLT means the tint allows 25% of visible light to pass through it.
How to remove old car window tint?
We have a step by step guide on how to remove window tint using garbage bags or by using a heat gun. You can see it here.
