Hot days are hard on cars. The sun’s rays penetrate through the window and do a lot of harm to your interior over time. Window tinting is a great idea for glare and heat reducing, thus helps to protect one’s car interior. We list some window tinting option below and the reasonable car window tinting prices for your reference.
Car Window Tinting Options
If you walk into a body shop and ask for window tinting, you’re going to get an ear full of questions. That’s because there are quite a few options to consider when picking out the right tint for your car.
Film tinting: If you’re bringing in your car for tinting aftermarket, this is a very popular method. Should you pick this option, you’ll be getting a thin polymer film that is tinted to your preference. There are different shades to pick from as well as how the film looks on the outside. Consumers can often pick between flat, reflective, metallic and mirrored films.
Film tinting is popular because it’s the least expensive option. Your body shop might even tell you that film tinting may help prevent your windows from shattering in the event of a crash. However, film tinting won’t last forever. On average, you can expect film tinting to last about five years. After that, you might start to experience cracking or peeling. Some films might even start to turn purple or yellow.
Ceramic window films: These do not contain dyes like those found in normal window films. The result is that they do not discolor over time. They are also better at reducing heat and glare than the normal films.
Metallic window films: While extremely good at reducing heat and reflecting UV rays, they may interfere with your radio, GPS or cell phone depending on what kind of metal was used. They also tend to be shinier on the exterior which other drivers may find annoying.
Coating Tinting: This process applies a special tinted solution to your car windows. It is usually sprayed on. It may be hard to find a shop that does this type of tinting, however, as it requires removing the whole window prior to application. The advantage of this type of tinting is that it lasts quite a bit longer than film tinting, but it’ll cost you more as well.
Popular Shades and Colors of Tinting
There are two things to consider when picking out an appropriate window tint: the color of the tint and the shade.
Color: Black is by far the most popular tint. Black goes with any paint job and it’ll always look “in” whereas you might run into looking outdated with other colors. That said, many shops offer a variety of colors. Besides black, bronze and amber are also popular colors.
Shade: This refers to how dark the tint will be. Your body shop will have you pick out a shade by what percent the shade transmits visible light. It is best to check with your state’s laws concerning tinting before you choose a shade.
If you choose something that is too dark, you could face a hefty fine. Most shops will have you pick between 5%, 20%, 35%, and 50%. The number tells you how much visible light you are seeing. So in the case of a 5% shade, you’d only be able to see 5% of the visible light coming through your window. While these numbers tell you something about the visible light entering your vehicle, you’ll need to ask the body shop what effect your tint shade will have on heat reduction and UV rays.
Car Window Tinting Prices across the U.S
How much your car window tinting prices will be depends on where you go to have it done, the type of tinting and the intensity of the shade you choose. Be wary of any car windshield and window replacement or tinting deals that seem a little too good to be true, but also shop around to a few shops to make sure you’re not paying too much either.
In general, a normal film window tinting will cost between $200 and $300. At this price, you’ll most likely get driver side and passengers windows done, the rear window, and a stripe at the top of the windshield.
Should you choose to have ceramic or metalized tinting, expect to pay 10% to 15% more that the average car window tinting prices. Colors other than black or bronze may be more costly as well.
Paying any less than $150 for a tinting job is not recommended. At too low of prices, you might run into inferior products or unskilled labor.
It’s highly recommended that you find a shop to tint your windows even though there is the option of doing it yourself. .
Questions to Ask
Below is a list of questions you should ask before and after you get your car windows tinted. Taking the time to ask these questions will ensure your satisfaction.
Before:
How long will it take to install the tint?
Is this tint fully supported by the manufacturer’s warranty?
Is the shop approved by a group like the International Window Film Association?
What are my state’s laws concerning window tinting?
How long does the shop guarantee this window tinting to last and how durable is it?
What kind of heat reduction and UV ray protection can I expect from the tint I chose?
Will the tint I chose affect my radio, GPS, or cell phone?
After:
How do I care for my tinted windows?
What does the shop expect to do if I see defects after installation?
Is there anything I can do to make the tinting last longer?
Tinting your car windows has numerous benefits. You can reduce the heat that transmits into your car, reducing your reliance on the air conditioner. Tinting can also provide you and the interior of your car with protection from harmful UV rays. UV rays can cause sunburns and can fade and crack the seats and dashboards.
Tinting can also provide a measure of safety. For those with sensitive eyes or others just concerned about glare from the sun, tinting can reduce glare and let you drive more safely. Your belongings will also be harder to see through tinted windows and may discourage theft. Be sure to do your research and find the best car window tint and the most competitive car window tinting prices for you and the best body shop to do the job.
DISCLAIMER: This article is for basic guidance only. Always consult with a Specialist on everything.
Does your car window tinting option work well for you?
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