There’s a good reason why the car tint shades business is worth an estimated $3.88 billion. These window tints for vehicles improve the appearance and offer a layer of functionality in terms of privacy and protection. However, when choosing window tint for vehicles, one decision causes people to be stressed: tint percentage. If you fall into this category, we don’t blame you.
Not only can tint percentages be difficult to understand, but laws in most states restrict how dark you can make them. That’s why we created this guide for you.
Know the Car Tint Percentage Options:
Before selecting a tint percentage, you need to know how it works. There is a wide variety of tint percentage options, ranging from 5% to 95%.
These percentage levels describe the amount of VLT (visible light transmission) that comes through the window. Many people mistakenly think that higher window tint percentages lead to darker shades. However, the opposite is true.
Most people tend to choose 50% tint levels. It’s a good compromise between the extremes of both ends. However, if you want privacy, choose a lower percentage between 20% to 35%.
This will ensure that no one can see inside your vehicle while you’re inside. We don’t recommend 5% tints. For one thing, they can limit your visibility while driving. On top of that, as we’ll see in the next section, these percentages are illegal in most states.
Consider the Laws in the State in Which You Live:
As we mentioned before, specific tint percentages are illegal in some states. They can reduce driver visibility, which in turn leads to more accidents.
What’s more, some states associate low black-out tint levels with crime since it hides the driver’s identity. That’s why it’s important to research the tint percentage laws in the State where you reside.
For example in Maryland, it requires a minimum of 35% VLT in Side Windows and a minimum of 35% VLT in Rear Windows.
You must consider tint percentage laws to ensure the police will pull you over. Otherwise, the officer will fine you, and you will have to pay to remove the window tint.
1. Think about Your Vehicle:
Specific black window tints look great with all vehicles. However, this is only sometimes the case. Some colored and metalized tints might match the appearance of your car. Some make sure you factor this in when choosing a tint percentage and film material.
2. Be Clear about Why You Want the Tint:
There are many different reasons to consider getting window tint. One of the common ones is to protect against UV rays. In case you didn’t know, ultraviolet light can cause skin cancer over prolonged periods.
So, if you’re in your car a lot, then window tints can block UV rays from reaching you. Other people get window tints to reduce the glare from sunlight while driving. Another common reason is privacy. Darker tint percentages conceal both your identity and anything in your car.
In many cases, this can protect your belongings from potential thieves. The last reason people get tints is to improve the overall appearance of their vehicle.
It’s essential to keep these things in mind because the reason you’re getting a tint will help dictate the best type of film for your needs. Describe why you want a window tint to a provider, and they can help you find a product that best fits your needs.
3. Go With High-Quality Film:
It doesn’t matter what type of film tint percentage you want. If you go with low-quality film, it will be fine. Low-quality tints are rarely effective at preventing light from entering a vehicle.
What’s more, they degrade and peel quickly. So, consider investing in high-quality film material instead of the cheapest option. There are various great options out there, from metalized to carbon-tinted.
Find a Great Window Tinting Service:
Not all window tinting services are created equally. Some feature inexperienced workers who do uneven or shoddy tint work. So, how do you find a qualified professional? Reviews are an excellent place to start.
This will give you a good idea of the average customer’s experience. However, I should also look for experience. The more time they’ve been operating, the more knowledge they have about applying the perfect window tint.
Ideally, the supplier will also offer a warranty on all the tints they provide. This is an indication that they stand by the integrity of their product.
They should also adhere to any state laws that are in place. Check out this resource to learn the ten characteristics of a great car window tinting service.
Need Car Tint Shades? Contact Frederick Window Tinting in Maryland today!