What is Car Window Tinting?

father fixing his car with his son

Window tinting is the application of a thin film of material to automotive windows. That material may be a dye, metallic, or ceramic layer that you can see through. It has many advantages for your car and the people who drive it. Window tinting can help you stay cool on long summer drives, and it makes your windows much more durable against cracking and scratching. Window film also acts as a barrier against the harmful ultraviolet rays from the sun. If you’re interested in installing window tinting yourself, check out our short guide to how to tint car windows below.

Why would I tint my car windows?

  • Protect your car’s interior. Tinting reduces the amount of direct sunlight that penetrates your car’s windows, thereby reducing the possibility of damage to its interior.
  • Add style to your car. A stylish tint will give your vehicle a sleek and unique look, making it stand out on the road.
  • Improve aerodynamics. To some extent, tints also help improve a vehicle’s aerodynamics by decreasing wind resistance when driving at higher speeds.
  • Keep you cool while driving. A tinted window reduces heat transfer from outside a vehicle’s windows into its cabin, keeping you cool during hot days and helping reduce the need for air conditioning (which can drain a battery).

Are there any laws limiting how much I can tint my car windows?

The tint percentage you can use depends on the type of window, vehicle and tint film used. A quick Google search for “[your province/state] car window tint laws” will give you a good idea of what’s allowed where you live, but generally speaking only the front and rear windshields can’t be tinted, while everything else is fair game.

What's the best way to tint my windows?

Your best bet is to hire a professional car window tinting service. Window tinting is tricky because your windows are curved, so they may require a more skilled hand to get the job done right. Plus, you don’t want your window tinting to be inadequate or illegal. Getting in trouble with the law is not fun.

Window tinting is a great way to add style and privacy to your car

Window tinting is a great way to add style and privacy to your car, but it also offers several other benefits. For instance, window tinting can block harmful ultraviolet rays and reduce glare while driving. It also reduces heat inside the vehicle and protects skin from sun exposure. Window tinting can even improve the resale value of your car and potentially prevent shattering in case of an accident

Best local window tinting shops near me

  • It is the best way to enhance the look of a car
  • There are many types of tinting
  • Shops vary in quality, but all are safe and legal
  • Window tinting shops generally offer free consultations to help you choose the correct level of tinting for your car

Which car window tinting service do you need?

There are a number of different types of car window tinting services, so depending on what you want, you should look for a shop that offers the service you need. This can include:

  • Spraying car tint onto the window and then allowing it to set
  • Adding a film that adheres by itself
  • Layering an adhesive film over your car windows

5 different types of car window tinting

1. Dyed window tinting

Dyed window tinting is the most common type of car window tinting, and it consists of a dyed film being applied to the car’s windows. The dye absorbs the visible light but not the heat, so it does not offer as much heat resistance or protection from UV rays as metallised or hybrid tinting. It is inexpensive and easily repaired if damaged.

2. Metallised window tinting

Metallised tinting is a great way to cut out glare from the sun because it reflects light away from your car. If you want your window tints to look silver in colour, metallised film is what you’re looking for. Metallised window film can be used on any glass surface and comes in different grades of darkness, depending on how much light reflection you want. It works by reflecting up to 50% of the sun’s heat away from your vehicle, which improves the comfort levels inside your car. In addition, metallised window tinting can protect you against UV rays and reduce glare so that you’re not blinded by low winter sun or dazzling headlights at night. There are some downsides to this type of tinting though; while they reduce your energy bills slightly in winter, they actually increase them slightly in summer as reflected heat has to be cooled down again by air conditioning units. Because metal deposits are used during manufacturing there’s also an increased risk of interference with radio signals and GPS navigation systems if these are being used inside the vehicle.

3. Hybrid window tinting

Generally speaking, this is the most popular option, and it combines the benefits of the other two types. Hybrid window tinting provides the highest level of protection from damaging UV rays and glare reduction. It will also improve the look of your car and can last for up to 10 years.

4. Carbon window tinting

Carbon window tinting is another popular option, which is more expensive than the previously discussed metal dye window tinting. This option is made from a carbon polymer that is dyed black and offers the best heat and UV rejection. It also provides more color stability, as it will not fade to purple over time like a dyed film might. Carbon films are also typically thinner than other films and have a better clarity when applied to your windows. Carbon films are available in a 5%, 15%, 35%, and 50% darkness level.

5. Ceramic window tinting

Ceramic window tinting, or ceramic film, is the newest type of film on the market. It combines heat reflective properties with a non-metal, nano-hybrid carbon technology that prevents signal interference from your cell phone and other devices.

Advantages:

  • Blocks up to 60% of sun’s heat’
  • Blocks up to 99% of UV rays
  • Non-conductive (won’t interfere with devices)

Disadvantages:

  • More expensive than other types of window film (but less than typical vehicle wrap)

Do I need tinted windows?

There are plenty of reasons to tint your car windows, but do you really need them? Let’s take a look at the pros and cons.

Car window tinting can help keep you safe. Depending on its thickness, tinted glass will protect other people in the vehicle from shards of broken glass if an accident occurs. Tinting may also help prevent criminals from seeing into your vehicle—and deciding to smash your window, grab your belongings and run away.

Car window tinting can protect you from harmful UV rays. Whether they’re sitting in the sun or covered in shade, most Americans receive a lot of ultraviolet rays during their regular daily activities—but sitting in a car is especially dangerous because the sun’s rays come through so clearly and directly through windows that aren’t tinted or shaded by trees outside of the driver’s side window. Without protection from UV rays, skin cancer is more likely to develop over time (and this isn’t just true for drivers—the risk is high for everyone who rides in cars). Not only that, but sun exposure contributes to vision problems such as cataracts and macular degeneration as well as wrinkled and leathery skin that makes people look much older than they actually are. In addition, UV damage causes fading on things like car upholstery and dashboard materials that might be very expensive to replace with brand new items once they become too worn out over time due to fading colors and other types of wear-and-tear caused by excessive sunlight exposure.

Tinted windows reduce glare while driving during bright daylight hours or when it’s raining outside. That means drivers are able to see better while driving and won’t be blinded by harmful glare during critical times when visibility needs to be maximized–so there’s less chance of getting into a traffic accident while driving because there’s reduced risk of losing sight of road signs or other vehicles nearby (even when bad weather conditions make it difficult for

Can I tint my own car windows?

You can do it yourself, but you may find that it’s worth the money to go to a professional. Window tinting is a skill that needs to be learned, and it takes quite a while before you are able to get it right. Even then, you may not be able to do as good of a job as someone who has been doing this for years because there are tricks of the trade in window tinting. It’s not just about knowing how to use the tools; professionals also need to know how much force they should use with their hands so they don’t damage your car. If you want your windows done right, look for an experienced window tinter instead of trying to do it yourself.