Last Updated on January 2, 2024 by Alex Koch
The Different Types of Window Tint Films, Explained
Each car is different, each driver is different, and each climate is different. That means that your preferred type of window tint film will be different, too.
Review the types of tint films on the market, and compare them against your own needs. This will help narrow down the best type of film for your car and ensure you have a good experience with the film you choose.
Are there different types of window film?
There are five basic kinds of window tinting film.
The main types of car window tint include:
- Carbon Tints
- Ceramic Tints
- Dyed Tint
- Hybrid Tint
- Metalized Tints
Each style of window tint film has pros and cons.
Now that we know about the kinds of window tints that exist, let’s take a look at each of the tint types.
What are the different types of window tint?
Read about each type of window tint film below.
Carbon Window Tints
Carbon tint is often applied as a window tint as an aesthetic choice. It has a matte finish so creates a unique style for your automobile. Carbon tint is good for reducing the entry of infrared light into your car.
The carbon film is one of the darker options when it comes to window tint. This makes it useful for limiting UV rays from damaging your car’s interior.
Ceramic Window Tint
The ceramic films for auto tinting are the top quality when it comes to window tints for your car. Ceramic window tints absorb light which results in excellent visibility regardless of the shading level of the ceramic window film.
The particles in ceramic tinting are ceramic particles (not metal) so the ceramic tint can reduce heat in a way that metallic tint film cannot.
Dyed Window Tint film
Dyed window tinting is almost exclusively for aesthetics. Dyed films provide a dark level of shade, and increase privacy, but the dyed film as a window tint doesn’t do the best job of minimizing heat or reducing glare.
Dyed tinting is multilayered including an adhesive layer that is applied directly to the automobile windows, while the outside offers a scratch-resistant quality.
Dyed tints or dyed films are a popular choice for car window tinting because although they are not incredibly functional for useful purposes, they do provide some privacy and shade inside the vehicle and improve the look of your vehicle, too. Another benefit of dyed film window tint is that it is affordable.
Hybrid Tint
Hybrid films for car window tints are a great option because, as the name implies, hybrid window tints are the best of both worlds.
This type of window tint film combines both metalized tint and dyed tint which makes it a great option for car tint. Tinted window switch hybrid film does a good job of blocking out heat from the car’s interior, while also creating privacy and a sleek look for your car.
Metalized Tint
Metalized window tints contain metallic particles within the metalized film. These metal particles serve to block UV light, protect car windows, and tend to be very durable.
Metalized tinting has a strong reflective quality due to these metal particles, so when it comes to appearance, metallic window tints may create a different look than drivers prefer. However, metalized window tinting does offer shatter-proof protection to auto windows, so it could be the best option.
What are the differences in the film types for car window tinting?
When choosing between metalized tint films, hybrids, dyed window tint, ceramic window tinting, and carbon film it’s important to know what your unique window tint needs are because what is good for window tinting on your car, may not be the best car window tinting option for others.
A few things to consider when selecting the right window tint film type for your vehicle:
- Do you want a matte finish?
- Are the tinted windows for aesthetic purposes or functionality?
- Which types of car windows will you be tinting, like the rear side windows?
- Is it important for you to block heat? or UV Rays
- Will you be applying car window tint as commercial window tinting to a work vehicle?
These questions can help you determine if the ceramic film and ceramic tinting are most sensible for your automobile versus dyed film, or metalized window tint.
That’s because some options like metalized tinting may block UV rays, while others like a crystalline window tint will be better for blocking heat.
How do different window tints help in different types of weather?
The good news for drivers in different locations, window tints can make a difference depending on the weather.
Metalized window tint is a great option for intense weather because it is both durable, and doesn’t fade. Since metalized tints block heat, they could also be useful in hot climates.
The adhesive layer of car tint, no matter which types of car window tint are applied, offers benefits.
Some benefits of auto window tinting include:
- Filtering out UV light (this helps to block UV radiation)
- Limiting penetration of light rays and solar heat
- Blocking heat from entering the car interior (keeping as much heat out as possible)
- Preventing excessive infrared light entry
Basically, the darker the tint, the more likely it is that UV rays are blocked.
Is there a good type of tint for privacy or safety?
On the other hand, opting for a dyed tint produces great privacy. If you tend to use cell phones in your car, especially in a state where cell phones are not permitted while driving, this could add a layer of protection.
The best kind of window tint for your car
Automobile window tint comes in a few different types and many different shades.
The best window tint will vary depending on which type of car you have, the aspect of vehicle tints that are most important to you, and the aesthetic style you want to achieve. Most types of car window tint films are applied to the car’s interior windows in a thin layer.
Most types of window films come in a wide spectrum of shade levels from a clear tint to a darker tint. Be sure to check your local tint laws to determine which tint shade on your car windows will be acceptable.