What are some tips when choosing a car window tint?
- Choose the right darkness
- Understand local laws
- Consider style and functionality
When you’re making modifications to your vehicle, it’s important that you know how to go about it. Specifically, for your car’s window shades, it should be your priority to be aware of the different tips when choosing a car window tint. Applying too dark a shade can affect your visibility on the road. On the other hand, you might not really benefit from anything if your window tint is in a lighter shade.
Don’t be daunted. This guide sets out to help you make a decision. By choosing the right tint darkness, knowing your local laws, and finding the right style, you can get stylish tinted windows that you can be proud of.
Choose the Right Darkness
First things first: You need to have an idea of how dark you want your tint to be. Your tint can range from darkness levels that also signify the Visible Light Transmission (VLT) or the amount of light that can pass through the windows.
There generally exist various VLT levels. You could have your windows tinted to the point where only 5% of light can pass through. Alternatively, you could go for tints that have a 70% VLT which is only a tad darker than your current un-tinted windows.
Ideally, you want to choose a tint that strikes a balance between road visibility and adequate ultraviolet ray protection — think shades that have 30% or 35% VLT. In this way, you can still allow yourself to clearly be aware of your surroundings while ensuring that you don’t get too blinded by the sun under hot temperatures.
Understand Local Laws
Aside from road visibility and sun protection, you also need to consider your local laws before your windows can be applied for a tint. In different states in the US, for example, local laws prohibit tints that have a VLT percentage below 35%.
As for the rear windows, it’s generally ideal if it also follows the prescribed 30% VLT. However, you should also make sure that the type of tint that you use won’t pose a road hazard. This is because you may get warnings from road enforcement officers if you have mirror-type, or reflective tints installed.
Consider Style and Functionality
The style and functionality of your tint are both important. Sure, you may have a tint that does its job of providing you with ample shade protection — but if it doesn’t really look aesthetically-appealing on your vehicle, then you may want to rethink your options.
For those who may not really be concerned about the style and want something practical, dyed window tints are your best option. You can choose from various shades like dark blue, charcoal, purple, or classic black — it’s really up to you.
To double down on style, try exploring other tint materials such as metalized films, hybrid tints, or ceramic. Let’s take a quick look.
Metalized Films
Metalized window tints have a shiner luster about them due to the tiny metal fragments that are bonded with the main adhesive. One good advantage of this tint is that it offers adequate shade and protection. Although the shiny appearance might not be to everyone’s liking.
Hybrid Tints
As the name suggests, hybrid tints are a hybrid of two other tint types — particularly metallic and dyed. With this tint, you’ll get the best of both worlds. However, they’re generally expensive and may even fade and discolor after some time.
Ceramic Tints
Ceramic tints are arguably the best choice out of the previous ones discussed so far. Further coated with titanium nitride, the result is a durable and long-lasting tint that will not experience discoloration even after several years.
Like the hybrid tint, the ceramic tint can be costly, depending on how many windows you want to modify. But if the initial investment isn’t something you’re worried about, then is another option that you can consider.
Key Takeaway
Some tips when choosing a car window tint include the following: being aware of your local car laws, knowing the different types of tints and styles, and choosing an adequate VLT.
Tinting your car is a way of modifying it and we all know that some modifications can be costly if they don’t meet your needs or expectations. With this in mind, always make sure that you have a guide before doing so.
