Once you have made the choice to get your vehicles windows tinted, the first decision you should make is the QUALITY of window tint you want. Each type or quality of window tint film is made using different materials, and each type has its own unique set of positives and negatives.  Your second choice should be the shade (darkness or lightness) of the film within that type or quality of film.  Below is a simple explanation of the different qualities of window tint film on the market.

Experience the value of looking and feeling good with Solar Gard® Solstice. Designed to improve driving comfort while protecting you and your vehicle’s interior from damaging UV rays, Solstice offers optical clarity and signal-friendly technology to preserve your views and connectivity.

• Rich black color
• Non-reflective
• Optical clarity for unaltered vision
• Electronic signal-friendly: GPS, satellite, AM radio, cellular and TPM systems
• Solar heat and glare rejection for greater comfort
• Superior ultraviolet protection
• 5-year color-stable warranty

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Performance Results

Specification  

                                                                                 Solstice 5     Solstice 35     Solstice 30     Solstice 22     Solstice 5 

Visible light transmittance                               48%                 38%                  30%                  21%                  6%  

Visible light reflectance (exterior)                 7%                   6%                     6%                    5 %                    5% 

Visible light transmittance on auto glass  40%                 32%                   25%                 18%                   5% 

UV light blocked (300 to 380 nm)               >99%               >99%                >99%              >99%                 >99% 

Total solar energy rejected                             36%                  40%                   44%                48%                   57%  

SIRR - Selective Infrared energy rejected 132%                39%                  44%                 53%                   73% 

IRER - Infrared energy rejected                     233%                36%                  38%                42%                    51%

Performance Notes:

• Performance results are calculated using NFRC methodology and LBNL Window software, and are subject to variations within industry standards and only intended for estimating purposes. This data is provided for informational purposes only and are subject to normal manufacturing variances.
  
• Performance results based on film applied to ¼” (6mm) clear glass and a representative automotive glass with a base visible light transmission of 75%. Due to variations in glass performance, these values should not be used to comply with local tinting laws.
  

Definitions:

• [1] SELECTIVE INFRARED REJECTION (SIRR) The percent of "film only" transmitted infrared energy (780 nm to 1700 nm) measured using the Solar Spectrum transmission meter (model # SS2450). The higher the number, the less infrared directly transmitted.
• [2] INFRARED ENERGY REJECTION (IRER) The percent of infrared energy (780 nm to 2500 nm) that is directly reflected and absorbed and radiated outwards. Calculated as 1 – SHGC (780 nm to 2500 nm) using Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory (LBNL) Window software and NFRC 200 solar spectrum from 780 nm to 2500 nm. The higher the number, the more infrared energy reflected and absorbed and released outwards. IRER is the endorsed calculation method of IWFA.

Ceramic Window Tint Film
Ceramic window tint film for vehicles is the most popular and costs the most, but it provides the highest heat rejection and clarity. The benefits of ceramic window tint film outweigh the cost, especially if you plan on keeping your vehicle for years to come.  This film is designed for those customers that want the very best of everything in a window tint film. Our high-quality ceramic window tint does not just keep 99.9% UVA/UVB rays out of your car, it also blocks 98% of infrared light. Infrared rays are why we feel heat from the sun, so with fewer rays coming in, tinted windows decrease your vehicle’s interior temperature, even if you have to park in the sun. With less infrared light coming into your car, you can also save energy and money. You won’t have to run your A/C as often when your car is already cool — putting less strain on your engine, your gas tank and your wallet! Although ceramic window tint film comes in all the different lightness’s and darkness’s we are accustomed too, the most appealing advantage of ceramic window tint film is that you no longer have to choose a dark shade of window tint film, like limo or 5%, to get high heat rejections. Even our clear ceramic window tint film has a 98% infrared heat rejection. Plus, unlike other window tint films, ceramic window tint film offers the highest visual clarity for the lifetime of the vehicle. This clarity makes it easier to see out of your vehicle windows during the day or night. Our high quality ceramic window tint film has a 1000 SPF sun protection. Ceramic window tint film is also the best at reducing glare from the sun and headlights. Ceramic window tint film is by far the best option for your car.

Dyed Window Tint Film
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. We can compare dyed window tint to wearing a black shirt outside. The dark, flat color of dyed window tint film will attract heat and make the interior of the car hotter. Dyed window tint film is more for privacy and UVA/UVB protection, but does very little for heat rejection.  One big advantage of dyed window film is that it is devoid of any metallic substances, so it won’t interfere with your car’s electronics systems, such as GPS, tire pressure monitors, antennas and phones.

Carbon Window Tint Film
Carbon window films also fall squarely in the middle of your options in terms of advantages and disadvantages. Carbon film has no metal, so interference will not be an issue. It will also block UV rays and heat effectively, so it will help you reduce the stress on your car’s HVAC system. Carbon film is not as popular as the other options, probably because while it does everything well, it is not the clearest of films and can distort over time. The heat rejection on carbon films depends on the darkness of the film; therefore, to achieve a higher heat rejection, you must go darker.  However, carbon window tint film is a budget friendly film.

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 California 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 California. 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 California is 70% which is considered clear.

California window tint laws

The law requires that a reflected tint is not allowed on the first 4 inches of the windshield and front side windows and up to 70% of tint darkness is allowed in combination with factory-tinted windows. For the rear windows and back seat side windows, any tint darkness can be used.

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.