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Tinting Windows [ 2004-10-04 ]
Window tinting reduces fatigue, keeps you cool, and
increases security. What type of tinting is best, and how dark
is too dark?
Whether it's for keeping the sun and heat out, or for privacy on
the road or when parked, window tinting is a necessity in the
sunshine states and a popular option for drivers everywhere.
Why tint?
 Reduced heat.
Reducing heat and UV radiation entering your vehicle adds life
to the interior and prevents fabric from weakening and plastic
trim from fading and cracking. Because tinted windows block heat
from the sun, having them improves the performance of your air
conditioner and in turn improves fuel economy. Tinted windows
filter out about 80 percent of solar heat, versus less than 30
percent for non-tinted windows.
Reduced glare and UV exposure. Glare through side
windows can be distracting to forward vision, and it can lead to
eyestrain and fatigue on longer drives. Sunburn can also be an
issue for some people. Non-tinted windows typically filter out
less than 30 percent of UV light, while darker tinted windows
will filter out 95 percent or more.
Increased security. Window tinting makes it more
difficult to see your occupants and belongings inside your
vehicle, so it's safe to say that your chances of being targeted
for a crime are lessened.
How is tinting done?
There are three major ways to achieve tinted windows:
OEM tinted glass is tinted within the glass, as part
of the actual glassmaking process. It lasts the life of the
glass. OEM tinted glass usually has only a mild tint that is
legal even in the most stringent areas. Keep in mind that OEM
tinted glass may be more expensive to replace in a collision.
Film tinting is by far the most popular aftermarket
method. A thin tinted polymer film is applied very carefully to
specially prepared window glass. The film is available in many
different shades of tint and outward appearances, such as flat,
reflective, metallic, or even mirrored. Advantages of film
tinting are that it's very inexpensive, and installers claim
that it also might help prevent glass from shattering in
crashes. Disadvantages are that the film tinting will only
typically last five years before cracking, peeling, and bubbling
of the plastic film occurs, and also sometimes yellowing or
degradation of the tinting itself. Removal of old window film is
more difficult than the installation itself.
If you have a shop do the work, make sure they're approved
through an industry group such as the International Window Film
Association (IWFA). Also, check that they always use the same
brand of film (3M and Johnson are two of the major brands), and
that they fully support the manufacturer's warranty.
You might be tempted by tinted window films - the type
available at discount auto parts stores and department stores -
claiming easy "stick-on" installation and only requiring
scissors or a razor blade for installation. Beware that these
solutions sometimes end up with bubbles or wrinkles and rarely
end up looking professional, and again, removal is usually more
difficult than installation.
Coating tinting applies a special tinted solution to
the existing glass, usually as a spray. This type of tint lasts
much longer than film tinting, though there are few shops who do
it for automotive glass because if properly done it requires
removal of the window glass.
Why is window tinting regulated?
Dark-tinted front windows make it difficult for law
enforcement to identify hit-and-run drivers, or to establish eye
contact with suspects during traffic stops. They make it more
dangerous for police, and easier for suspects to conceal weapons
behind the tinted windows. Police in some areas of the country
carry portable "tintmeters" to check windows that might be
darker than the law allows.
How do you find out what's allowed in your state?
Most states have specific regulations on tinted windows,
calling out maximum percentages for visible light transmission
and reflectivity. Sunshine states tend to have rules that are
more tolerant of deep-tinted windows-and even allow some measure
of driver's side window tinting-though there are exceptions to
this rule. The regulations vary drastically by state, so check
with your local installer for more information. Click
here for a chart with the specific state-by-state rules,
provided by the IFWA. The installer should be able to provide
you with a product information sheet that has numbers to compare
with what's allowed.
Credit:
Be-ngt Halvorson |