BestCarAudio.com

The Best Mobile Enhancement Retailers

Showcasing the Best in Mobile Electronics
  • Articles
    • Bluetooth
    • Car Audio
    • Navigation
    • Remote Starter
    • Satellite Radio
    • Smartphone Integration
    • Vehicle Insights
  • Industry Profiles
    • Installation Profiles
    • Installer Profiles
    • Retailer Profiles
    • Vendor Profiles
  • Products
  • Featured Facilities
    • Northeast
      • ENORMIS Mobile Specialties
      • Extreme Audio
      • Mobile Edge
      • Perzan Auto Radio
      • WSS Westminster Speed and Sound
    • Northwest
    • Midwest
      • Boomers Audio
      • Driven Sound And Security
      • JML Audio of St. Louis
      • Nu Image Audio
      • Sweet Sounds
      • The Audio Garage
    • Southeast
      • Adrenaline Autosound
      • Audio Designs And Custom Graphics
      • Ocala Car Audio
      • Prestige Car Audio and Marine
      • Precision Audio
      • Sound Depot and Performance
    • Southwest
      • Bay Area Audio Visions
    • Canada
      • Certified Autosound
      • Ralphs Radio Ltd.
  • Dealer Locator
  • Contact
  • Facebook
  • Instagram
Sony Ad

The Many Benefits of Installing Window Film on Your Vehicle

October 6, 2016 By 1sixty8 Leave a Comment

Window TintingAutomotive window film has been around for more than 50 years. What started as a spray-on process to add privacy has evolved dramatically over the past few decades. Modern window films offer amazing optical clarity, excellent heat rejection, reduced glare and improved occupant protection. Let’s look at what this technology is and some of the reasons why people tint their windows.

What Is Window Film?

Most window films are made from a thin polyester sheet with layers of a proprietary mixture of coatings. These coating materials offer UV-, IR- and light-blocking properties. Window films are applied directly to the inside surface of the glass and include an adhesive to ensure they stay in place. High-quality films are designed not to fade or change color over their lives. These quality adhesives will not break down and cause the film to release over time.

Window Film and Light Transmission

The typical facility that sells and installs window film may carry as many as four of five different grades of film. Each grade often has several different light transmission levels available. Films are rated by the percentage of visible light that they allow to pass. A 15 percent film only lets 15% of the light directed at the film pass through. A 5% film would be very dark, while a 70% film is very light.

Why Use Window Film?

There are four main reasons to use window film or tint on your vehicle:

  • Improve styling
  • Security
  • Heat rejection
  • Protection against UV rays

Style

Window TintingThere is no doubt that a vehicle with professionally installed window tint looks cool. A white car with a dark tint evokes the “stormtrooper” look, while a dark paint color with tinted windows and no chrome is an amazing “blacked out” style. Whatever your preference, tinting your windows can have a dramatic effect on the style of your vehicle.

Safety

Windows films that protect the vehicle and its occupants are steadily growing in popularity. There are security films designed specifically to adhere firmly to the tempered glass of side and rear windows. These films keep the window intact in an accident or an attempted “break and enter.” If you are concerned about attempted break-ins, ask your local window tint specialist about security films.

Heat Rejection

Window Tinting
A heat lamp display, such as this one at Window Tint School allows you to not only see the difference in the light transmission, but also feel the heat reduction.

One of the most popular reasons to tint your windows is to help keep the interior of your vehicle cool. The key to succeeding at this goal is to request a good-quality window film. These thermal blocking films are often called “nano” or “ceramic.”

Think about just how much glass there is in the average vehicle. What does your steering wheel feel like when you get in the car on a hot summer day? In most cases, you can barely touch it! Premium films are designed to block heat, not just light. They not only help keep your car cooler, but they ease the load on your air conditioning system. That can directly translate into savings in fuel costs.

When it comes to blocking heat, the amount of light the film transmits is not the only criterion. Many shops will have a way to demonstrate the capabilities of heat-blocking films, often using a heat lamp display of some sort. There are 5% films that use dyes that barely block any heat. At the other end of the spectrum, there are films that allow more than 70% of light to pass, but block 50% of the heat from the sun.

Skin Protection

Window TintingThe Skin Cancer Foundation has released an article about the benefits of window films that are designed to block UV rays. UVA and UVB rays are what cause sunburns and eye damage. Conventional glass blocks the transmission of  UVB radiation, but UVA rays can pass through effectively unhindered. These protective films can block up to 97% of UVA rays. Unlike traditional films, many of these UV-blocking films offer excellent light transmission characteristics. As much as 93% of visible light can be transmitted, making them suitable for use on windshields in some areas. The best of these films offer an equivalent Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of up to 1,000. If you spend a lot of time in your vehicle, then you should look into UV-blocking films.

We have all seen pictures of cracked vinyl dashboards in our favorite ’70s and ’80s cars. The same window film protection characteristics that protect you also protect your vehicle. Plastic, vinyl, rubber and cloth are all susceptible to damage and fading caused by UV exposure. A quality window film keeps your car interior not only cool, but looking great for years.

Film Installation

Window TintingIt is best to seek out a professional installer to have window film installed. They are trained in techniques to ensure that the film is cut and shrunk to fit the glass perfectly. The difference between a do-it-yourself job and a professional installation extends far beyond the initial result. Proper installation techniques ensure that no fingerprints, dust or debris get caught under the film. A proper installation will last longer because it adheres to the glass better. The film won’t peel or pull away from the edges or defroster lines.

If you are interested in having your windows tinted, check with your local tinting professionals. Ask to see examples of their work, and be sure to discuss different qualities of film and ask about their thermal, UV and light transmission capabilities. Modern window films are amazing feats of engineering that can protect you and your vehicle while making it look awesome.

Share this:

  • Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Twitter (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Pinterest (Opens in new window)
  • Click to share on Reddit (Opens in new window)

Related

Filed Under: ARTICLES, Resource Library, Window Tint

About 1sixty8

1sixty8 media is a content marketing, website development, and business solutions provider specializing in the mobile enhancement industry. The 1sixty8 media team includes many household names in the industry, from store owners and industry writers to award-winning installers and fabricators. To learn more about 1sixty8 media, visit www.1sixty8.com.

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published.

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Search our site with any combination of CATEGORIES, TAGS, or KEYWORDS

  • Category

  • Tags

  • Sort Order

  • Keyword

  • » Reset

Industry Profiles

Firstech

Mobile Electronics Vendor Profile: Firstech LLC.

February 21, 2019 By 1sixty8 

The history of Firstech LLC and Compustar began in 1995 when Jason Lee opened a car stereo and detailing shop in … [Read More...]

Monster Mustang

Mobile Electronics Installation Profile: 2018 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350

February 20, 2019 By 1sixty8 

The BestCarAudio.com editorial team recently talked to none other than Ricardo Rangel, head of the famous Mexico … [Read More...]

Extreme Audio

Mobile Electronics Retailer Profile: Extreme Audio

February 19, 2019 By 1sixty8 

Extreme Audio is a two-store mobile electronics retailer located in the Richmond, Virginia, area. Mike Bartells opened … [Read More...]

Press Releases

New DroneMobile App Connects All of the Vehicles and Drivers in Your Home or Business
ARC Audio Partners with Chip Foose and Foose Designs
Virtus Nano Woofer-1
Morel Launches the Vitrus Nano Carbon

Product Reviews

Sony XM-GS6DSP

Sony XM-GS6DSP Amplifier Product Review

Vehicle Insights

2019 Nissan Kicks SR

2019 Nissan Kicks SR.  Pumped Up Kicks!   

Mercedes-Benz A220

2019 Mercedes-Benz A220 Sedan. Riding in a Smartphone! 

Find Facility Near You

Subscribe to BestCarAudio via Email

Enter your email address to subscribe to BestCarAudio.com and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Popular Categories

  • Car Audio
  • Window Tint
  • Remote Car Starters
  • Vehicle Insights
  • Radar Detectors

Supporting Manufacturers

  • AudioControl
  • Hertz
  • Compustar
  • Momento
  • Sony

Contact

  • Editorial
  • General
  • Advertise

Forms

  • Profile Request

Sign up for our newsletter today. Opt out at any time with 1 click.

  • This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged.

BestCarAudio.com is a product of 1sixty8 media · Copyright © 2019 1sixty8 media · Privacy Policy · Website by 1sixty8 media · Log in