Benefits of Window Tinting - Find out why you should tint windows. What are the real benefits to tinting?

Heat rejection, privacy and a custom look for your Auto, home and commercial space are the main reasons most people consider window tinting.  In the last few years many of the major manufacturers involved in making window film have gone to great expense in developing a product that gives heat rejection rates of over 75%.  These high performance products, usually referred to as reflective, hybrid, metalized or metal films, generally carry a lifetime warranty against turning purple, bubbling and peeling, as well as a special scratch resistant coating.  The scratch resistant coating can protect your investment from everyday use of rolling the windows up and down.  Along with the enhanced performance and warranties available with quality metalized films, you can also be assured of the great custom look and privacy with window tinting it will give your car, home or commercial space.

Glare reduction and protection from harmful UVA and UVB rays that harm you and your car’s interior are also excellent reasons to purchase tinting. Whether it's the blinding glare of the sun or the friendly interstate tailgater, tinted windows can be an answer to the problem. Medical experts and auto upholstery technicians both have long known what the damaging UV rays from the sun, even on cloudy days, can do to our skin and auto interior! NO MORE - - today's quality tinting materials eliminate up to 99% of these UV rays before they can get into your auto.

Tinting has always been associated with increased security for your auto, what a thief does not or cannot see usually will be left alone! Recently, some window film manufacturers have introduced safety tinting that can strengthen your windows to a point even a baseball bat wielding thief will have a tough time breaking into your auto through the windows. A somewhat overlooked safety aspect is in the event of an auto accident, window tinting can help shattered glass hold together helping to prevent it from spraying the inside of the auto with sharp splinters of glass.

Last, but certainly an important consideration in your decision to purchase tinting, would be the years of comfort a quality tinting product will give you and your auto. Dollar for dollar, window tinting for your car improves the looks and protects your interior better than any other aftermarket product available anywhere!

Educate Yourself Before Buying - Learn what you need to know before choosing a tint for your car.  Know the differences in tints and applications methods before buying.

Every day thousands of people make what they think will be a simple decision - to have tinting applied to their vehicle's windows, home windows or their office building windows. The decision can quickly become complicated when they start shopping around. To start, within local markets, the installed price can vary over $100 from one shop to the next for tinting the same vehicle. Then there are the different kinds of tinting from various manufacturers - non-reflective, hybrid, full metal, titanium, stainless steel - with colors ranging from bluish to gray or charcoal to the coffee brown found in bronze/stainless steel tints.

There are also different installation methods. Some shops leave a small gap or micro-edge at the top of the roll down windows, while other shops take the tinting all the way to the edge of the glass when the window is rolled down. The latter method looks much better, but can cost more because of the extra time involved in installation. Rear windows can usually be formed from one piece of tinting material. The one-piece rear window installation, when possible is preferable over the rear window being installed in several pieces. One-piece rear windows can also cost more due to the extra time and expertise needed for this type of tinting installation.

The price each shop charges for vehicles can depend on several variables.

Three of the most important are:

» Brand Name

» Type of material used

» Quality of the installation itself


The major tinting manufacturers usually have three different qualities of tinting materials available to the tinting shops.

» The lowest quality is referred to as a non-reflective/dyed material. This type of tinting, usually the cheapest, has the shortest guarantee, and has a tendency to turn purple and form bubbles over time.

» Next is the hybrid or high performance tinting which is the best selling product nationwide. Hybrid tinting is referred to as a reflective product, but don't let the term reflective confuse you. This type of tinting has a slightly different appearance and color from the non-reflective. The big difference is hybrid tinting rejects much more solar heat and the product warranties are much better than the standard non-reflective products. Most major tinting manufacturers offer extended or lifetime warranties for the hybrid/high performance products.

» The next grades of products are the relatively new full metal tinting materials. These products usually have the same or slightly higher solar heat rejection statistics when compared to hybrid tinting materials. The warranties for full metal tinting are usually lifetime and some include a clause against fading of the material over an extended period of time. The higher reflective qualities of full metal tinting products are objectionable to some buyers. Care should be taken in choosing what type of tinting material best suits your needs.

To make your final decision on who will tint your windows, there are a few questions you should ask your local tinting shops. Based on the information found in this section, you should be able to make an informed decision that will add comfort, beauty, safety and value to your auto for years to come.

» A Few Questions to Ask When Choosing a Tinting Shop - Be an informed shopper! Print out this list of questions when calling around for price quotes to be sure you get what you want and need

» How many cars do you tint? How long will it take?

» Can I see examples of your work?

» What are the local laws?

» What is the guarantee?

» What brand and type tinting does the price include? Make sure you understand the warranty for the type of film quoted.

» How do you finish the top edge of roll down windows? Is there a big gap, or small gap?

» Will the rear window be installed in one piece?

» What is the guarantee?


Frequently Asked Questions About Window Tinting - Commonly asked questions regarding Window Tinting.

» What is film or Tint?
There are different series of window films. The main types of tint are a Full Metal tint, HP Metalized tint and the Non-reflective tint for automotive. The full metal is very shinny and has no polyester and the HP films are a metalized and polyester. The Non-reflective window tint or film is a UV stabilized window film and has no metal. All the film which once applied on window glass will reduce ingress of heat and other solar radiation through the window. The HP and Metalized tint as well as the newest series of NR films carry a lifetime guarantee.

» How is window film applied on glass?
Window film has adhesive on one side, which is covered with liner. Removal of the liner exposes the adhesive, which can be activated by spraying soap solution on it. It is then fixed on the inside of the glass and the excess water is squeezed out with the help of a squeegee.

» Can window film be applied on any surface?
Film is best suited for plain window glass. It is not recommended for any non-smooth surfaces and even most of the smooth surfaces other than glass.

» To what extent can window film reduce the ingress of heat?
The heat rejection property of film varies from film to film. The reflective range of Sun control film rejects heat up to 80%.

» How long does window film last once it is applied on glass?
The life span depends on various factors such as application of film, orientation of the window, location etc. There are recorded cases of film lasting for more than 10 years.

» Is there a one-way film available (for all times)?
Strictly speaking there is no one-way film for all times. However, reflective films prevent visibility from outside (area of greater light intensity) during daytime and vice-versa during night time.

» Is there a film with zero visibility?
Window tinting services has recently introduced new Blackout film, which can completely block light thus obstructing any visibility from both sides.

» How is window film better than tinted glass?
Film provides various advantages like heat rejection, protection from harmful UV rays (upto 98%) and protection from flying splinters in the case of accidental breakage of glass; which are not achieved in tinted glass. Thus it is better than tinted glass on these parameters.

» How is blocking of UV rays helpful? Does it prevent fading?
Most films are UV stabilized, which can cut upto 98% of the harmful UV rays which causes fading. But it should be noted that UV rays is one of the components in the solar energy spectrum, and the other components such as heat, Infrared radiation and light are also responsible for fading due to sunlight. Since these factors vary for different types of films and hence extent of fading will depend on the type of film used.

» Why is window film called an energy saver?
Film once applied on window glass reduces the ingress of heat through it enhancing cooling of the room/car. As a result there is a cut down in terms of the energy consumed, and hence film is also called an energy saver. The extent of energy saved will depend on the type of film used (Different films have different heat rejection properties).

» Can I fix the film myself?
Installation of the film on flat glass is fairly easy. However, it is advisable to install the film with the help of trained installers to avoid appearance of bubbles or damage to the film or any wastage or hire it done from the beginning.

» What are the different types of window film?
The range of films includes auto and commercial films - Reflective films, Non reflective film, Clear frost, silver frost (privacy film) graffiti guard and Safety film.

» Does window film reduce the chance of breaking of glass panes?
Window film, applied on glass can prevent flying glass splinters in the event of accidental breakage. However it does not reduce the chance of glass panes breakage.

» How long does it take to apply window film on the glass?
Time taken for fixing film depends upon various factors such as place of application, access to glass, installer's efficiency, type of film, time of application etc. Normally time taken to apply film on a car is around 2 to 3 hours depending on the car.

» What is the normal curing time for window film adhesive once it is applied on the glass?
Curing time for window film adhesive applied on glass depends on the factors such as film type, time of the year when film is applied, time of the day when film is applied etc. The recommended curing time for ordinary window film is at least a week from the day of application but some haziness and cloudyness may last up to 3 or 4 weeks.

» Does window film require any special care after installation? How should I clean the glasses with film?
Main thing to remember is not to use anything with amonia as in windex. Use a alcohol base window cleaner and cleaning of windows can be done using soft cloth and water. Do not use any rough or abrasive material for cleaning.

» Can I replace my existing window film with new window film?
The advantage of window film is that you can change it whenever you want.
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