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 Darkness or Shade of Window Tint Films

Now that you have decided on the quality of window tint film, you can now move on to the shade of window tint film.  Window tint films are classified by the amount of light they allow in by percentage. The lower the percent number, the darker the film and the less light is let in.  The higher the percent number, the lighter the film and the more light is let in. The legal limit for the two front doors in Texas is 25%. Your vehicle’s two front doors from the manufacturer is typically already at a 70% shade; therefore, window tint shops put a 30% or 35% film on the two front doors to make it the legal limit of 25% to 26%. The back half and rear windows can be any darkness in Texas.  We carry all the different shades of tint from clear 70% windshield tint to 5% limo tint. You can decide the shade of window tint when you are in the shop.  The shade of window tint will not affect the cost of the window tint installation. A 5% tint, also called limo tint, is the darkest film we carry. Factory tints, also called dyed privacy glass, on rear windows tend to be in the 20% range. Keep in mind that the factory dyed privacy glass does not offer any heat rejection and will actually make the car hotter by absorbing heat, like wearing a black shirt outside. The legal limit for your windshield in Texas is 70% which is considered clear.

Color Window Tint Film

Car window tint generally comes in three different colors: blue black, black and charcoal (amber). Blue black is typically a ceramic film and offers the very best clarity and lasts the longest. Black comes in ceramic, hybrid and metalized window films. Black is simply a pure black in color which transitions to gray as the shade of film gets lighter.  While charcoal (amber) is typically dyed and carbon films.State laws regarding window tint are quite clear and law enforcement officers do not always have a sense of humor about illegal tint. Know the laws governing car modifications in your area. If you are going to exceed the legal darkness level, know the potential consequences of your decisions.

Thickness of Window Tint Film Explained

Window tint films of all varieties come in 1- and 2-ply thicknesses. A ply is typically 1 mil (1/1000th of an inch), so 2-ply films are about 2 mil. Thickness can imply quality and durability, but it is not always necessarily true. A manufacturer could add a second ply to a cheap product, but the resulting window film would not magically be higher quality. Trust product reviews and recommendations from experienced installers to make a decision on quality. 

1. Hybrid Window Tint Film
2. Metalized Window Tint.
3. Dyed Window Tint Film

Hybrid Film

Hybrid tinting film aims to combine dyed window film and metalized window film and is a budget friendly film. The layer of dye will help give it the dark look that the dye film can provide and the metalized layer will still offer some, though not all, of the UV protection of a standard metalized film.

Dyed Window Tint.

Dyed window film is the old-school window film of the past. It was the very first type of window tint manufactured.  It is a three-ply film, with a layer of dye sandwiched between a layer of adhesive and a protective layer on the outer surface. It is the most popular type of window tint because it is the least expensive for the customer, as well as the installer. This film is used the most by beginner and mobile window tinters because of the low inventory cost. It is also the least durable and will fade to a bronze color over time. Dyed window film does not deflect heat from entering the car because the material is not reflective, so your car’s interior will still get quite hot. 

Metalized Window Tint.

Metalized window film is another popular choice, but many people find the drawbacks to outweigh the benefits. It consists of an adhesive layer and a protective outer layer with a UV-protective layer and a metalized layer in between. The UV layer helps this type of window tint offer important protection from UV rays, which are harmful to both you and your car’s interior.  Unfortunately, the metalized layer can wreak serious havoc within your car’s electronic communication systems. This film will likely interfere with your radio if your antenna isn’t externally mounted on your vehicle and it could cause problems with your cell phone’s reception, your GPS signal, and even your tire pressure sensors. Metalized film will fade to clear over time.