Tint FAQs

Answers to common questions about window tinting. How to apply, how to remove, average pricing...all tint related questions answered.

Is ceramic window tint actually darker?

August 13, 2020 by Windowtintlaws.us

For many drivers, finding the darkest window tint shades is important. A lot of experts recommend ceramic film if you’re looking for dark window tint, but it can be hard to choose the right type of tint for your needs. So, is ceramic tint actually darker and is it worth investing in? Here’s what you need to know.

Is Ceramic Window Tint Darker?

While ceramic window tint isn’t actually darker than its counterparts, there are a lot of different factors that create this perception. Ceramic window tint tends to stand up to the elements a lot better than the other types of tint, which means it does often stay darker for longer. However, the darkness of your window tint ultimately depends on the VLT level.

It’s important to note that some types of window tint fade a lot faster, so ceramic and other quality window films can make a big difference. However, your tint is going to fade over time no matter how much money you spend on it, so don’t expect anything to be perfect in terms of weather resistance.

Types of Window Tint

Window tint comes in all sorts of different varieties, including different materials, different styles and different window tint shades. Making sure you get the right window tint darkness level and type of tint helps you make the most of your tint.

Ceramic window tint is one of the most popular options if you’re looking for the best window tint. You might have to spend a little more money, but ceramic tint is built to last like no other tint. The ceramic particles that give these tints their color and UV protection are nonconductive and nonmetallic, which means ceramic film doesn’t wear down as quickly. You can find ceramic tint in a wide variety of colors, styles and tint darkness levels, so it’s a great choice in terms of versatility.

Metallic window tint is another good option if you’re looking for something durable that stays dark. Metallic film has an extra layer that provides UV protection and gives the tint its signature look, which makes it great for blocking out some sunlight. The biggest downsides to metallic window tint are the fact that it’s often very reflective and it costs more than most other types of tint.

Carbon window tint is a good choice if your main priority is blocking out heat. Carbon film can block out about 40% of the infrared light that causes heat to transfer through your window into your car, which makes it great for driving on sunny days. However, there are better options than carbon if you want to protect your skin and eyes from UV rays.

Dyed window tint is the window tint you go for if you want to save money. If you’re getting cheap tint from a department store, chances are it’s dyed. While this tint provides some privacy and UV protection, it’s nowhere near as good as the other options.

Finding the Darkest Tint

For many people, finding the darkest window tint is a priority. Not only is it nice to have the privacy and UV protection dark window tint provides, it also adds a lot of style to your car.

Finding the darkest window tint is a matter of balancing two things: finding the right VLT level and finding tint that won’t fade and become ineffective too quickly. Ceramic and metallic film are both great choices if you’re looking for dark tint that won’t fade, although metallic film may not be the best option if reflective tint is illegal in your area or you don’t like the look of it. Both of these types of tint will retain their darkness for longer than others.

Legal Window Tint

When you’re having your windows tinted, it’s important to make sure you’re doing things by the books. A professional window tinter can help you figure out what kind of tint is legal for your vehicle. You can also take a look at our window tint percentages guide to find out more about window tint darkness levels.

For the most part, your front and rear windshields are the most strict in terms of tinting laws. These windows are followed by the front side windows, which have to be dark enough for the driver to see out and others to see in. The rear side windows are the most flexible, with some states allowing you to tint them as dark as you want to. A professional window tinter can help you find the right combination of VLT levels to get the most out of your tint.

Is Ceramic Tint Right for You?

If you’re looking for window tint that stays dark, ceramic may be the best option. Ceramic window tint also comes in tons of different styles, colors and VLT levels, so you can find something that fits your car and budget perfectly. As long as you’re buying ceramic window film from a brand you can trust, you can count on it to retain its UV protection and heat-blocking properties for years.

Window Tint Percentages: A Comprehensive Explainer Of VLT %

July 14, 2020 by Windowtintlaws.us

From privacy to blocking out heat, there are a lot of good reasons to tint the windows of your car. However, it’s important to make sure you’re abiding by the law and not putting yourself in danger with your tint, which means getting the right shade. Fortunately, our window tint percentages guide makes it easy to get the perfect tint for your car.

What Is VLT?

Visible light transmission (VLT) is the most important metric to focus on when it comes to tint darkness. When people refer to “5% tint” or “20% tint,” they’re talking about the VLT level. So, what exactly does the VLT of window tint tell you?

The VLT of a tint describes how much light a window film allows to pass through, although it is a bit confusing. While you might think a higher VLT would indicate darker, more effective tint, the opposite is actually the case. Whatever the VLT level of a tint is, that’s the percentage of light that’s allowed through the tint. For example, 5% tint only allows 5% of light to pass through while 35% tint allows 35% of light to pass through.

While VLT isn’t the only thing you need to consider if you want the best tint, it’s a good start.

Lower VLT window tint will generally provide you with better UV protection, which helps keep your interior in good shape and keep your car cooler. Blocking out these UV rays is also an important part of eye and skin health.

VLT is also a big factor in whether or not your tint is legal. Every state has its own tint laws, with some counties and cities also regulating tint darkness. Before you purchase and install window tint, make sure you know what VLT is legal in your state, city, or county.

Window Tint Preview Tool

Want to see a real-life example of a specific tint percentage?

We have done our best to put together a realistic Window tint percentage previewer for you and hope you find it valuable!

Reflectivity

While VLT is the most commonly used metric for determining whether or not window tint is legal, it’s not the only factor. In most states, there are also laws regarding the reflectivity of your window tint. While some darker window tints don’t reflect a lot of light, some tints are made from a reflective material that can add even more privacy.

If you’re looking for a privacy window tint, reflective tint is a good option. However, many states have strict limits when it comes to reflectivity. When you buy tint, you should look at the reflectivity to make sure it meets the legal limit in your state or county. As is the case with VLT, this reflectivity will be displayed in a percentage, with many states setting the limit at 20%.

In some states, you aren’t allowed to use reflective tint at all. This includes both metallic and mirrored tinting in most cases, both of which tend to have a mirror-like effect. Instead, you’ll have to use plain old black tint that’s within the legal window tint levels for your state.

It’s important to mention that reflectivity is more about privacy than UV protection. While a reflective window film may add a little more protection from the sun and heat, you can still get excellent UV protection from some of the plain black window films on the market. And with the darkest window tint you can legally use in your state, you shouldn’t have to worry too much about privacy anyway.

Tint Laws

Every state in the United States has laws when it comes to tinting your windows. These laws tell you what type of tint you’re legally allowed to use, but it’s not as simple as buying a window film kit with the right VLT.

For starters, most states allow different window tint levels for different windows. While you may be able to tint window with 35% tint, another window may require 40% tint. Conversely, it could be the case that some windows have no restrictions in terms of VLT level. Sometimes it’s best to buy a few different window tint percentages so you can mix and match.

Reflectivity also comes into play when it comes to tinting your windows legally. There are many different types of window tint, some of which are very reflective. In some states, you aren’t allowed to use reflective tints or tints with a certain amount of reflectivity.

While this isn’t the case everywhere, there are some additional restrictions in some states. For example, there may be certain requirements if you tint your back window or you may not be allowed to use certain colors of tint at all. Make sure you understand these laws in addition to the legal window tint levels for VLT and reflectivity.

Tinting Your Windshield

When it comes to tinting the windows on your car, the windshield is probably the trickiest part. Not only do windshields have different tinting laws in different states, but most states only allow you to tint a small portion of your windshield. However, there are some states that don’t allow you to tint your windshield at all.

If you are allowed to tint your windshield in your state, you’ll be restricted to tinting the top portion of the windshield. The amount of windshield you can tint varies from state to state, although it’s usually about 4 to 6 inches. In lieu of a number of inches you can tint, your state may allow you to tint to the AS-1 line. Every automotive windshield has the letters “AS-1” on it; some states allow you to tint to the line where the letters “AS-1” are found.

There are some exceptions when it comes to state windshield tinting laws. While there are only a couple states that don’t tell you how much of your windshield you can tint, they do exist. In the states where you can tint your entire windshield, however, you’re only allowed to use tint with a VLT of 70% or higher.

Tinting Your Front Side Windows

As far as window tint restrictions go, your front side windows are on the stricter side of things.

While you can tint your front side windows in almost every state, this is usually the second lightest shade of tint you’re going to use on your car. The reasoning behind this is that lighter tint in the front window allows the driver to see better while driving.

For the most part, you’ll have to keep your front side window tint pretty light. Many states have a limit of 35%, with some states going as low as 20% and others going as high as 70%.

The states that get more sunlight are generally the ones that allow darker tint while states that get less sun tend to have stricter tint laws.

There are some states where you simply aren’t allowed to tint your front side windows. Even though these states are strict about front side window tint, some of them allow you to use the darkest window tint on the market when it comes to your rear side windows.

Front Side Window Tint Percentage State Maps

Tinting Your Rear Side Windows

As far as tinting windows goes, it doesn’t get much better than your rear side windows.

Of all the windows on your car, these are the ones that are least important in terms of vision. This is why most states allow you to tint your rear side windows with much darker tint than you’d use for a windshield, rear window or front side window. In some states, there really are no restrictions.

A good portion of states allow you to tint your rear side windows as dark as you want.

Literally, many states have absolutely no regulations as far as VLT levels go for rear-side windows. If you want that 5% limo tint look on your car, the rear side windows are the best place to do it.

It’s important to keep in mind that not all states allow you to tint your rear side windows as dark as you want. As a matter of fact, there are plenty of states that only allow you to tint your rear windows to around 30%.

You also need to make sure you’re abiding by any color and reflectiveness laws that may be in effect.

If you’re planning on tinting your rear windows to the darkest legal tint level, make sure you buy two separate window tint kits.

After all, you’re not going to be able to use that same 5% tint on your front side windows.

Tinting Your Rear Window

As is the case with the windshield, tinting your rear window isn’t the simplest process. Your rear window allows you to see what’s going on behind you when you’re on the road. If you tint your rear window too dark, you’ll end up having to rely on your side mirrors. This is why most states don’t allow you to tint your rear window very dark.

While most states are pretty conservative when it comes to rear window tint darkness, there are actually some states that allow you to tint your rear window as dark as you want.

The only thing you have to keep in mind is that many of the states that allow you to use any tint darkness level on your window will require you to have dual side mirrors as a substitute for your window.

Many of the states that have tint darkness laws for rear windshields have a limit of around 30 or 35%. There are some states that have a limit as low as 10% as well as others with a limit as high as 50%.

Still, some of these states require you to have dual side mirrors even if you’re only using 35% tint on your rear window.

Interestingly enough, there are no states that don’t allow you to tint your rear window. No matter where you live, you can put some level of tint on your rear windshield and still drive legally.

Dark Tint vs. Light Tint

While dark tint might seem like the best choice, it’s important to understand the pros and cons of both dark and light tint.

Dark tint is the most common type of window tint, with shades ranging from black and blue to red and green. As dark tint starts to fade, it often takes on a sort of purple color.

The big benefit to dark tint is that it’s effective in terms of blocking out sunlight and keeping your car cool. However, the color of this tint can also make it difficult to see in and out of your windshield. While this is a big benefit when you’ve got your car parked on the side of a busy street, it can cause problems when you’re driving. Still, dark tint is a great option if you’re looking to block out some sunlight and protect your interior.

Light tint isn’t nearly as common as dark tint, but there are still tons of options available.

Light tint generally comes in colors that are closer to transparent, such as a light blue or even a yellow. Most people use light tint because it allows them to see out of their windows better.

The best part is, there are lighter tints that have a fairly high VLT level, which means they still block out a lot of sunlight and help protect your interior. The biggest downside to light window tint is that it simply doesn’t provide the same type of privacy as dark tint.

What is 0% Tint?

The darkest of all the window tints is 0%, also known as blackout tint. Blackout tint allows 0% of sunlight into your car, giving you some of the best UV protection, heat reduction and privacy. Unfortunately, most states don’t allow blackout tint because it can reduce visibility so much. While there are states where you can legally use blackout tint, it’s simply too dark for many people.

What Is 5% Tint?

One of the most common VLT levels for dark tint is 5%. 5% tint is also known as limo tint because of the excellent privacy it provides. Since 5% tint blocks out 95% of light, it’s also great for UV protection and keeping your car cool. The only problem with 5% tint is that it’s not legal to use in a lot of states, especially when it comes to the rear windshield and front side windows.

What Is 10% Tint

If you’re not allowed to use 5% tint in your state, 10% is the next darkest tint level you can buy. While 10% tint is still very dark, it’s a big step down from limo tint in terms of visibility in and out of the car. Just like limo tint, 5% tint generally comes in a dark black color which does a great job of giving you privacy and protecting your interior from sun damage.

What Is 20% Tint

20% tint is the first VLT level you’ll see that’s legal on various types of windows in a lot of different states. While 20% tint may not be as common as 35% in terms of legally tinting your windows, it’s an excellent choice for rear-side windows if you want to darken things up a bit. In some states, you can even use 20% tint on your front side windows.

What Is 35% Tint

If you want to guarantee you’re doing things by the book, 35% tint is the best way to go. While it may not be the darkest tint available, 35% strikes a great balance of blocking out the sunlight without making it too hard to see through your windows. Plus, you can find 35% tint in various different shades to match your car.

What Is 40% Tint

As you go beyond 35% tint, you get into the range of very light tints, many of which are used for things like windshields and rear windows. However, there are actually a few states that limit the VLT level at 40%. Whether it’s required in your state or you’re just looking for a more subtle way to tint your windows, 40% is a good choice. Just remember to look for a quality film that’s designed to block out heat.

What Is 50% Tint

50% tint is one of the least used VLT levels on the market. Not only is 50% tint not very dark, there aren’t a lot of states that set their VLT limit at 50. Unless your state doesn’t allow you to go below 50% or you don’t want to sacrifice visibility for privacy and UV protection, there’s no real reason to go for 50% tint.

What Is 70% Tint

Tinting your side windows is fairly simple, but windshields and rear windows are a different case. If you want to safely and legally tint non-side windows, 70% tint is your best bet. It’s important to note that there are plenty of states that don’t allow you to tint your entire windshield. On top of that, some states require dual side mirrors in lieu of a non-tinted window. In general, however, you don’t have anything to worry about when installing 70% tint.

Vehicle Classification Guide: Passenger Vehicle vs Multipurpose Vehicle

January 28, 2020 by windowtintlaws.us

What’s The Difference Between Passenger Vehicles and Multipurpose Vehicles?

Window tint laws vary from state to state, this means the tint law in each state are different depending on the type of motor vehicle you have. Motor vehicle safety standards are put in place to protect occupants by regulating window tint, braking systems, vehicle lights, tires, and a few others.

Where appropriate, window tinting regulations can be significantly different.

The difference all depends on whether you have a passenger vehicle or a multipurpose vehicle.

Passenger Vehicles (or Passenger Cars) vs Multipurpose Vehicles (MPVs)

Vehicle type is based on federal classification. Your vehicle is likely either a “Passenger Vehicle” or a “Multipurpose Vehicle”

multi purpose vehicle picture — (MPV – Multipurpose Vehicle. As the name suggests, they mostly accommodate 7–8 people. They stand tall with good ground clearance but need not necessarily be as tall as an SUV.)

passenger vehicle picture — (Passenger Vehicle. These vehicles typically accommodate 2-5 people. These are the most commonly identified as sedans or a vehicle that has only 2 rows..)

Identifying a Passenger Vehicle vs Multipurpose Vehicle

The best way to identify whether your vehicle is a passenger vehicle or multipurpose vehicle classification is to look for a Federal ID label.

This is the sticker/label that you see when you open your drivers side door.

This label also features your VIN (vehicle identification number) as well as information manufacturer information.

Which vehicles are “passenger cars”?

Passenger Cars, or Passenger Vehicles, federal vehicle classification includes: sedan, coupe, hatchback, convertible, station wagon, hardtop.

Law defines Passenger Cars as: Passenger car means a motor vehicle with motive power, except a low-speed vehicle, multipurpose passenger vehicle, motorcycle, or trailer, designed for carrying 10 persons or less.

passenger car federal id label — (This is your Federal ID Label. Your vehicle should have a similar one showing your federal vehicle classification. You can see near the top center portion of the label that this vehicle is classified as a “Passenger Car”)

Which vehicles are “multipurpose vehicles”?

Multipurpose vehicles are often also referred to as multi-passenger vehicles (MPV) and multipurpose passenger vehicles.

MPV classification includes: SUVs, recreational vehicles (RV), pickups, panels, vans, campers, minibuses, sport utility vehicles, and similar vehicles.

Law defines MPVs as: Multipurpose passenger vehicle means a motor vehicle with motive power, except a low-speed vehicle or trailer, designed to carry 10 persons or less which is constructed either on a truck chassis or with special features for occasional off-road operation. Features of occasional off-road use would be defined as 4-wheel drive, large all-purpose tires, high ground clearance, etc.

mpv bottom right — (Your vehicle should have a similar one showing your federal vehicle classification. You can see near the bottom right portion of the label that this vehicle is classified as a “MPV”)

Determining Minimum Tint Transmittance Standards

nhtsa manufacturer — National Highway Safety Traffic Administration (NHTSA) sets the standards for vehicle manufacturers.

A Minimum of 70% VLT (Visible Light Transmission) is required on vehicle’s windows, as based on Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standard 205 (Glazing Materials – 49 CFR §571.205). The primary purpose of this requirement is to ensure adequate visibility through the windows, thereby reducing the risk of a motor vehicle crash.

So is having a vehicle with 70% light admittance is legal? This is not always the case. Most states do not permit any aftermarket tint to be installed due to most being factory tinted already meeting those standards. More often than not, tint laws are stricter on the front windshield. This is to meet safety standards and not hinder the drivers sight.

different vehicle tint types — Applying any level of aftermarket tint may put your windows darker than 70% VLT (visible light transmission)

Not sure what your tint percentage is? Use can use a Tint Meter to find out the exact tint percentage. This is our preferrended tint tester, click here.

It is vital that you know the difference between manufactured/factory tint and aftermarket tinting.

Knowing the different kinds of window tint film is also important, check out this article that covers different tint films.

As stated before, many windows come tinted straight out of the manufacturer, it can be tinted darker than the state’s tinting laws in some cases.

If your vehicle is manufactured that way, your vehicle may be alright; varying from state to state.

Do not forget to read tint laws pertaining to your specific state.

7 benefits of tinted windows for your car

January 28, 2020 by windowtintlaws.us

Did you know that there were nearly 750,000 motor vehicle theft incidents in 2022 alone?

Thieves are more likely to break into a vehicle if they see something valuable inside.

How can you prevent that?

Well, having tinted windows gives you more privacy and might reduce the likelihood of having your car broken into because malevolent people can’t see what’s inside.

But there are other benefits of window tinting, besides reducing car theft frequency.

Tinting your windows is a simple and affordable process that can be done on almost all cars.

We highly recommend consulting a local window tint specialist rather than do it yourself because properly tinting your windows is an art form.

If you are unsure of the window tint laws in your specific state we recommend you take advantage of our comprehensive list of all 50 states window tint laws.

Here are 7 key benefits that tinted windows can provide for your car:

1. Reduced Glare – Tinting blocks up to 99% of harmful UV rays and greatly reduces glare from sunlight, allowing for improved visibility and less eye strain.

2. Cooler Interior – Tinted windows can prevent up to 60% of heat from entering the car, keeping the interior cooler and helping the AC work less to maintain comfort.

3. Protection From Sun Damage – Tint prevents the sun’s rays from fading and cracking the dashboard and upholstery. It protects you from sunburns and skin damage.

4. Increased Privacy – Darker tints make it harder to see inside the car, providing enhanced privacy, safety, and security for you and your belongings.

5. Reduced Shattering Risk – Window tint holds broken glass together in the event of an accident or break-in attempt. This improves safety.

6. Lower Insurance Costs – Some insurance companies offer discounts for tinted cars since tint provides security benefits.

7. Improved Looks – A professionally tinted car simply looks sleek and stylish. You can choose from many tint levels to get the right appearance.

So in summary, the major perks are cooler interior temperature, reduced glare, UV protection, privacy, safety against shattering, possible insurance discounts, and great aesthetics. Tinting is an affordable way to improve your car.

Here are 7 reasons that you should get your windows tinted as soon as possible:

1. Block the Damage Done by UV Rays

As you probably already know, the UV rays that come from the sun are a form of electromagnetic radiation. If you’re exposed to UV radiation for a lot of time, your skin might develop burns and aging signs will start to appear quicker. At the same time, UV radiation is also responsible for most skin cancers developed in people all over the world.

The good news is that tinted windows can prevent UV radiation from damaging your skin. Most window tint films designed for car windows block around 99% of UV radiation, so you’re basically safe inside, especially if you drive for many hours every day.

2. Window Tinting Offers Protection In Case of Accidents

No one wants to be involved in a car accident, but unfortunately, these happen every day. One of the main sources of injury for passengers consists of shattered glass. If an object hits the car windows and they break, the numerous glass pieces can cause scratches and other terrible injuries.

In this case, window tint can help because it creates a thin film around the glass which keeps the pieces together in case of impact. The glass will still break, but the shards remain together, they don’t spread all over the insides of your car. This is definitely a safety feature all drivers want to take advantage of.

3. Tinted Windows Prevent Upholstery Fading

Just as UV rays can affect your skin, it can also affect different other objects. For example, furniture items that are exposed to sunlight every day tend to fade in a couple of years and develop a pale color. The same story goes for your car upholstery as well.

If you’ve recently modified your car and added brand new upholstery, a window tint can protect your investment. The thin film applied on the windows of your car will prevent UV rays from fading your upholstery, so your vehicle will always look brand new!

4. Get Protection Against Excessive Solar Heat

The sun doesn’t only emit UV radiation, but also a great deal of warmth that will eventually build up inside your car during hot summer days. As a result, you’ll eventually have to use the air conditioner more often. This reduces the performance of your car and drastically affects fuel consumption.

You might be happy to find out that different types of window tint for vehicles prevent solar heat from building up inside your car. Tinted windows act as insulators for your automobile, keeping your car cool in warm seasons. As a result, you will feel much better when you get inside your car and won’t have to pay that much for fuel either.

5. Have A Safer Driving Experience Every Day

When it comes to a car window tint, the list of benefits doesn’t stop here. One of the most annoying things that can happen when you drive is having to deal with glare. Especially if you have forgotten your glasses at home, glare can really deteriorate your driving experience and even make you more prone to accidents.

Luckily, car window tinting is again the solution to this problem. It will stop most of the glare coming from the sun, allowing you to see better while driving. You’ll be able to easily discern traffic signs, oncoming vehicles, and pedestrians. Even if you don’t wear your sunglasses, tinted windows will make your driving experience a lot safer.

6. Enjoy More Privacy While Driving

The window films installed on a vehicle can give you more privacy while driving around town. It might seem like far-fetched, but what if you’re a famous person or you’re shuttling a VIP to a large concert hall or restaurant. You don’t want passersby to be able to recognize you, right? In this case, tinted windows can again save the day.

The beauty of car window films is that they prevent others from seeing what’s inside the vehicle, but not vice-versa. You’ll be able to clearly see the incoming traffic and pedestrians, so your visibility is not blocked in any way. Limo companies use tinted windows as a form of privacy for their customers all the time and because they are a MPV (multi-purpose vehicle) they are allowed to legally tint the back windows with an almost pitch black shade.

7. Window Tint Allows You to Customize Your Car

There’s yet another benefit of having tinted car windows. For example, did you know that these films come in various colors and shades? This gives you a lot of freedom when it comes to personalizing your vehicle. You can make the tint match the color of your car to create a seamless design.

Think of window tinting as a pair of sunglasses. Some sunglasses have light blue lenses, others might have dark red ones. You can shop around and go for car window tint that matches your preferences and desires. Also, if you’re worried that this might affect the resale price, don’t be. You can safely remove the tinting from the windows of your car before selling it and the process is pretty simple and straightforward.

window tint allows you to customize your car

Now It’s The Right Time To Get Tinted Windows For Your Automobile

As you can see, there are plenty of benefits you can reap if you decide to get tinted windows for your car. Your investment is minimal and the level of comfort behind the steering wheel will definitely increase.

If you’re worried about legislation and what rules apply when it comes to window tinting in your area then don’t hesitate to consult our state specific window tinting guides. We offer law information for other states in America, so make sure that you explore our website thoroughly to find out more!