The most expensive type is ceramic film, which uses nano-sized ceramic particles instead of carbon or metal. It also has a matte-like finish that many people like, and it holds up better than basic dyed films. This has similar heat-reflective properties but without the chance of electronic interference. This type has fallen out of favor with many drivers, though, because of reports that the metallic particles can interfere with electronic signals of phones, portable GPS navigators and other in-car consumer electronics.įor many drivers, a better alternative is a carbon window tint, which replaces the metal, which can play havoc with digital signals, with particles with tiny bits of carbon. Metalized films use tiny metallic particles within the tinting layer to reflect more sunlight, which helps reduce the amount of heat entering the vehicle and better resists fading. They look good and don’t cost much, but they fade more quickly and can take on a purplish cast over time. The most economical tints use layers of dyes, which have an adhesive layer on the bottom, a tinted layer in the middle and a polyester coating on the surface for protection. All of the ones we recommend are claimed to block up to 99% of UV radiation, which helps protect your skin and reduces the potential for fading and damage to interior materials. And if your state doesn’t allow window tints, check out our article on How To Remove Window Tint: An Easy Process To Save You Money.Īll window tint films reduce the amount of visible light coming into a vehicle, which helps reduce glare and provides more privacy. But be sure to check your state’s laws before buying so you get the right stuff for your needs.

There are multiple tint shades and materials available that let you tailor the look and environment you want (see FAQs). You can also buy the film as a roll, which is less expensive and gives you more wiggle room in case of user application error, and longer rolls let you do multiple vehicles. You can buy precut kits for specific vehicles, which minimize both the installation time and learning curve. Window tint film is relatively inexpensive and, with a little patience and attention to detail, easy to apply yourself. Tinting your car’s windows helps reduce all of those problems while adding a dash of privacy and style to your automotive sanctuary. And it can heat up your vehicle like a greenhouse, sometimes beyond what your A/C system can battle. Its UV radiation will gradually deteriorate interior materials, and it can still do all the usual unpleasant things, like contribute to skin aging and skin cancer. It can create glare for the driver and passengers. But that giant orb in the sky can sometimes be more foe than friend. Sunny days mean outdoor fun and, usually, good driving conditions. While we work hard to provide accurate and up to date information that we think you will find relevant, Forbes Home does not and cannot guarantee that any information provided is complete and makes no representations or warranties in connection thereto, nor to the accuracy or applicability thereof. The compensation we receive from advertisers does not influence the recommendations or advice our editorial team provides in our articles or otherwise impact any of the editorial content on Forbes Home. Second, we also include links to advertisers’ offers in some of our articles these “affiliate links” may generate income for our site when you click on them. This site does not include all companies or products available within the market. The compensation we receive for those placements affects how and where advertisers’ offers appear on the site. First, we provide paid placements to advertisers to present their offers. This compensation comes from two main sources.

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Front windshield tint