6 Types of Window Tint: What Makes Them Different?

Most vehicles come with at least some level of window film or tint these days. It provides basic UV protection and can help deflect heat. It may also reduce glare to an extent. Of course, factory tint doesn’t meet most people’s needs and expectations. Fortunately, there are numerous aftermarket options available to offer added protection and privacy, and the following six are among the most common.

1) Dyed Window Tint

Dyed window tint is one of the most common choices for vehicles owners, and it’s certainly the least expensive. It uses multiple layers of dyed film to create varying levels of darkness. Though it initially looks nice and can provide privacy, it doesn’t offer much heat deflection or UV protection. It tends to fade over time as well.

2) Carbon Window Tint

Carbon window tint is another option. Rather than being dyed, it contains carbon particles to make it darker. Like other options, it’s available in different visible light transmission percentages. It’s a higher-quality utah window tint than dyed film. It provides privacy as well as heat and UV protection, and it doesn’t fade over time.

3) Ceramic Window Tint

Ceramic tint is also a high-end solution. It’s infused with ceramic particles to effectively block heat and UV radiation. In fact, it can block up to 50 percent of heat from outside. It doesn’t fade, and it’s more resistant to scratching and peeling than other types of tint. It’s more expensive, but it also lasts longer and provides better protection.

4) Crystalline Window Tint

Crystalline window tint is also available. It’s one of the newest and most advanced options to hit the market. It features nanotechnology and uses hundreds of layers of extremely thin film to provide protection. It deflects heat and UV radiation without needing to be as dark as other types of tint. As such, it gives you maximum protection and visibility. It’s also a durable, long-lasting alternative. Of course, since it’s a premium product, it comes with a higher price.

white sports sedan parked in urban lot
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5) Mirror Window Tint

Mirror window tint is a popular choice among vehicle owners. It’s illegal in many states, though, so be sure you understand the window tint regulations in your area before having it applied. It has a reflective coating that deflects heat and provides privacy. That reflectivity is also the reason it’s prohibited in so many states. It can cause glares that interfere with visibility for other drivers. It can potentially interfere with phone and internet signals too.

6) Hybrid Window Tint

Hybrid window tint gives you a combination of dyed and metalized layers. Its darker layers provide a certain level of heat and UV protection while its metallic layers reflect even more heat. Both layers provide privacy. Though it’s not quite as reflective as conventional mirror tint, it can still cause a glare. As such, it’s important to understand the laws in your area before having it applied to your vehicle’s windows.

Choosing the Right Window Tint for Your Vehicle

Those are the most common types of window tint on the market. They come in different varieties that block more light or let more through, and visible light transmission requirements vary by state. Cheaper films tend to fade and peel, so you may need to have them removed and replaced more often. On the other hand, higher-quality versions cost more, but they last longer. Though metallic tints look nice and provide plenty of privacy, they’re more likely to be restricted. Keep these factors in mind to help you choose the right window tint for your vehicle.

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