Car Shades: How Do Window Tints Work

Many people have no idea just how do window tints work to keep a vehicle cool. All they know is window tinting looks cool. They see it on their friends’ cars and hear a lot of talk about how adding window tint to a car reduces the heat from the sun. However, how window tints are able to keep passengers cooler while travelling is a mystery to most folks.

Furthermore, there are many useful features in today’s cars that we take for granted without even understanding how they work. Window tinting, for instance, is incredibly helpful for visibility and privacy, but how many of us can actually explain the science behind these “sunglasses for your car”? In layman’s terms, here is the answer as to how do window tints work.

How its created

A tint is created when tinting film is bonded onto a piece of window glass. Tinting film is usually made out of a clear polyester film with a very thin and even layer of tinting agents such as dyes and/or metals deposited onto the film.

The science behind how window tinting works

Window tinting utilizes a particular type of polyester-based film that allows certain types of light rays through while reflecting or absorbing others. Depending on the utilization and amount of metal and dyes within the film, different levels of visible light can be blocked, which is why tint levels are differentiated by the percentage of visible light allowed through.

When technicians adhere this laminate film to the inside of the car’s glass window or windshield, the amount of light that passes through the window from the outside is dramatically reduced, while the amount of light that travels from the inside isn’t affected. That’s how window tinting is actually different from sunglasses: Unlike those cool Ray-Bans you wear on your face, window tinting does not impede visibility in the dark.

​A misconception about window tints

A common misconception is that window tint is dark, and night-time driving is impossible when a car is tinted. The truth is that there are window films of any darkness that suits your preferences. Also, unlike sunglasses that do impair your ability to drive at night, tinting film is designed to reduce glare and not impede night-time driving. 

Another misconception is that window tint is bonded onto the outer surface of auto glass. Window tint is applied on the inner surface which also protects the film itself from flying debris outside the car.

The bottom line

Window tinting has many more benefits than you probably realize. Not only does it protect your eyes from the sun, but it also blocks nearly all damaging ultraviolet rays. This can harm your skin and your car’s interior. Plus, it keeps the cabin slightly cooler.

Bottom line: The couple hundred dollars it costs to tint your car’s windows is worth it for its many benefits. Of course, should you tint your car’s windows, make sure you know what the darkness laws are in your state.

If you are looking for a professional to perform a car window tint installation for you, visit our website, check out different types of films we have and let us help you with your needs today!