Tinting your car windows is a great way to add some style, but you might be wondering what shade of tint is best for your car. It’s a valid question — especially because there are so many different shades to choose from. Generally speaking, darker tints are more expensive, but they make it harder for people outside your car to see in and can make it more difficult for you to see out – particularly in bright sunlight. Lighter shades make it easier for people outside of the car to see inside, which increases privacy, but they also reduce privacy by allowing the driver to see out more clearly.
Different shades are better suited to different areas and climates
In many parts of the country, it’s now legal to have tinted windows on your car. But whether you just want a little privacy or want to keep your car cooler, it’s important to understand the trade-offs involved.
The darker the tint, the less light comes through, which is one reason why many people choose dark tints. In some areas, though, it’s illegal to have very dark windows. The laws vary by state, but in most cases you can’t go any darker than 50 percent visible light transmission (VLT) for the front windshield and 35 percent VLT for the side windows and rear windshield.
Window tinting has other benefits beyond privacy and looks. Tinting reduces heat buildup inside your car, especially when parked in direct sunlight or during hot weather. Tinting also blocks UV rays that can fade upholstery and damage skin and eyes.
The material used in tinting varies. Dyed window film is typically the least expensive option and blocks some light from entering your car, but because it doesn’t let much visible light pass through it may not be legal in your area depending on how dark it is (check local laws).
If you expect to do a lot of night driving, darker tints will reduce visibility
The problem with having dark windows is that it reduces visibility, which is bad for your safety and also for the safety of other drivers on the road.
The darker the tint, the more light it blocks out, so the more difficult it will be to see at night. One way to get around this issue is to only tint your rear windows, which are less important for visibility than your front windows are. If you go with a darker tint for your front windshield, however, you’re going to need a clear strip across the top so you can still see clearly at night.
Another solution is to consider using metallic window film as opposed to dyed film. Metallic film reflects more light than dyed film does, so it can counteract some of the visibility issues that come with darker tints. It’s a great option if you want dark windows but don’t want to deal with poor visibility at night.
Do you want your vehicle to stand out?
If you want your vehicle to stand out and make a statement, window tinting is the answer. Tinting your windows can give your vehicle a whole different look and feel. Many people think that window tinting only affects the exterior of the car, but it also offers privacy and protection from the sun for all passengers inside.
While all these benefits can be enjoyed regardless of where you have your windows tinted, the quality of workmanship plays a huge role in how well the film does its job. At A Perfect Shade of Tint, we have more than 20 years of experience installing window film for cars, trucks, SUVs and commercial vehicles in the Temecula Valley. We’ve installed millions of square feet of window film over our two decades in business and are known throughout the area as a trustworthy automotive window tinting resource.