What Should I Consider When Getting Tinted Windows?
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For many, tinted windows are best left to teenagers and those who would like to remain incognito. In truth, tinted windows serve a very important function in protecting you and your car from the damaging rays of the sun. The film used for tinted windows is a polyester substrate with a scratch resistant coating on one side and a clear mounting adhesive on the other. When having tinted windows installed, there are many factors to consider.
The concept of using window film for flat glass application was first introduced in the 1960s. Since that time, window tinting has become a huge market, with a wide range of colors and shades available. There are two basic types of tinted windows: metallic performance films, which provide a reflective surface, and the traditional non-reflective film. Tinted windows come in bronze, gray, gold, amber, and many other colors.
The benefits of tinted windows are huge. They block 65% of the sun’s heat and a whopping 99.9% of damaging ultraviolet (UV) rays. Not only do they protect the interior and upholstery of the vehicle, but they also protect your eyes from glare and eyestrain and your skin from sun damage. Window film also makes your vehicle’s glass safer by holding shattered glass in place.
When selecting the right window tint for you, you must first research what is legal in your locality. Every state in the United States has separate laws legislating window tinting. Many countries throughout the world have outlawed window tinting altogether in the interest of public safety. Most professional window tinting companies should be familiar with the law in your town and can provide you with a certificate of compliance in case you get pulled over. Fines for overly tinted windows can run anywhere from 50 to 500 US dollars (USD) if you are out of compliance.
Some states allow tinting on every window in the vehicle, provided you have side mirrors, while others outlaw tinting the windshield and two front windows. The darkness of the tint is also legislated. This is measured by what is called visible light transmission (VLT%), defined as the percentage of visible light that makes it through the tint. Several states make exceptions for medical conditions which require heavy protection from the sun. Once you have determined what’s legal, you can choose from a light tint to the darkest shade allowed.
For recreational vehicles (RVs), boats and cars with sensitive navigational equipment, a non-metallic film should be used, as metallic films can cause interference. Many states significantly reduce the level of reflection that is allowed in reflective films, or outlaw them altogether.
Most people agree that window tinting is best left to the professionals. It not only looks better, but will last longer and is guaranteed. A professional will make sure the tint job is legal and provide a warranty so that it can be fixed if anything goes wrong.
Although tinted windows can be done on your own, a professional will execute the job much better. They have the necessary tools and experience to get the job done right. Of course, you should check out the installer to see if his or her shop is professional and if he or she belongs to the International Window Film Association.
Windows are tinted through the following basic process. First, the window(s) must be properly cleaned and prepped to take the film. Then, the film is precisely cut to fit the window(s). Finally, the film is adhered to the window with mounting solution, then squeegeed smooth. You should end up with a clear window, free of "bubbles," with just the right amount of tinting. Tinted windows can be cleaned after 30 days to ensure proper bonding.
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Discuss this Article15
consider local police regulations. - m100035150
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I had lived in Florida for 7 years, and my car has 15% tinting. I moved to Minnesota, and now I am breaking the law. From what I can see, my tinting is permanent. I can peel the film off, but there is an opaque layer underneath that does not come off. How is it, literally tens of millions of vehicles in Southern states have tinting, and it is illegal in Northern states? Do the Police really need to see in my vehicle? Maybe they need to see in my house also. Strange thing to get pulled over for. - woput55
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You want history? How's this for history: Back in 1994 a congressman's girlfriend was held up at her ATM by two gun toting thugs that drove off in a car with darkly tinted windows. Congress quickly wrote a law making all tinting illegal. After all, if those two gun toting thugs had had clear glass, they probably would have good jobs and wouldn't have to rob rich girls. And they certainly wouldn't have a gun! Those are illegal in DC. The tinting industry got together and with such heavy weights as Ford and GM and some manufacturers (DuPont, 3M) and told congress where to stick it! In fact, window film was proven to benefit everybody involved. For the driver, it was less eye strain, less heat enters, use less a/c, use less fuel, shatter resistant, etc. And lets not forget, your interior won't turn to dust! I sold a 12 year old car and the interior was like new. Never had it in a garage, just tinted the windows. Maybe congress should make it a law that everyone has to tint their windows! - SunTint
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Thanks for writing this article. Nobody really talks about the history of tint, and this article gives some insight into it.
- harrisonca
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anon6127 is right - you have to roll down your windows when driving through darkly-lit streets.
- anon10508
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I'm from Miami and everyone down here got their windows tinted. I personally have my windows blacked out on my 2006 Tahoe. The number on the window appears as 0 a police tint detector. I was able to get my hands on one and tested it out. As for safety concerns it can be difficult to drive at night especially on south beach where the streets are dimly lit. - anon6127
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I've wondered about getting tinted windows myself. Apparently they can be VERY dark if they come that way from the factory. (We've all seen limousines with windows that are almost black.)
What I can't help but wonder is this: just how well can a driver SEE through windows with a dark tint?
Would it be a danger to his driving? Or to some pedestrians or other drivers that he "almost" doesn't see? I've even seen some car windshields that were completely dark, some from the factory and some tinted later. At night especially, this could prove hazardous to driving vision.
THESE are the kinds of things I want to consider before getting tinted windows -- or a car that already has tinted glass. - anon4032
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What are the legal limits to tinting your car windows please? - anon3528
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The above article is very good and very thorough concerning auto tint window film.
There is one point concerning the letter above that misses a good thing concerning film. It holds glass together in the event of breakage. This can prevent serious injury from broken glass. Even though modern auto glass is tempered to help reduce injury small flying shards are still a problem.
With regard to the latest film technology, one of the premier makers of window film has developed and is currently marketing 2 films specifically designed in mind of electronic signals.
The first is designed to defeat signals or prohibit signals from being intecepted from the outside of buildings. This helps security wise to prevent many forms snooping, spying and other nefarious activities.
The second film is just the opposite. It is designed to foster signal transmission back and forth across it. This is helpful in public spaces where the use of WiFi, cell signals and other communication devices are welcomed or encouraged.
There are many uses for window film that are just being discovered and is a burgeoning market in light of rising energy costs and threat of terroristic criminals. - anon1113
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I could see that happening with a vehicle that pulled over to the side. But, an accident that causes enough damage to a car to keep someone trapped inside is something that stands out as needing immediate attention - whether or not the windows are tinted. It seems that window tinting was the least of her problems. - anon1012
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Here's a risk of window tinting you might consider: my neighbor was in a single car accident, and although she was only a few feet from the road, no one could see that she was in the car due to the window tinting. She was trapped for over 45 minutes. - anon871
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