For car enthusiasts and average commuters alike, protecting their cars against damage is a constant effort. Both in retaining the style and appearance of the vehicle and in sustaining its ability to perform on the road.
This effort is what pushed the automotive tinting film market to reach a value of $3.65 billion in 2021. If you’ve got a new car or an older one you want to keep on the road, keep reading to learn more about the benefits of automotive window tint and the laws regarding it in each state.
What Are the Benefits of Window Tinting?
Although window tinting is often viewed as something done for the cool factor, it has more practical uses as well. Window tints are designed to protect you and the car from harmful sun rays and increase privacy.
If you’re considering window tints, then you may be interested in other actions that you can take to maintain your car’s appearance and ride quality. One of these is to invest in paint protection film. PPF is a thin polyurethane film that works as a shield to absorb the damage that the sun, fellow people, and animals can do to your car.
If you’re set on taking advantage of the benefits that window tinting and PPF film have to offer and are thinking, “where can I find PPF film in my area” make sure to check out your local reputable auto shop.
Legality by State
So, is window tint legal? Yes, but with some restrictions. While they do have many advantages, some window tints can make it difficult or nearly impossible for emergency responders to see inside your vehicle or for pedestrians to see you if need be.
This is why many states have specific window tinting laws that regulate the level of tint one is allowed to have on specific windows of their car. Window tint percentages are measured by the amount of light that comes through, known as the visible light transmittance percentage, or VLT.
However, this is not a comprehensive list, as every state has specific laws surrounding commercial vehicles, if a certificate is required for a tint, and other laws that will impact your purchase.
Windshield Tint
A major thing to note is that no state allows you to have your windshield fully tinted. However, some allow you to add some protection at the top of the windshield while still allowing others to see you. In states that allow windshield tinting, most maintain that the tint can be no lower than the AS-1 line, which runs parallel to the windshield, or 4”- 6” from the top of the windshield.
There may be more specific laws that apply to your state, such as a mandate that only non-reflective tint may be used above the AS-1 line or states where windshield tint can’t have lower than a 70% VLT.
Front-side Windows Tint
Most states allow you to have anywhere from a 20%-70% VLT for the front-side doors. Notable exceptions are New Hampshire, New Jersey, and Vermont, where front-side tinting is illegal.
Rear-side Windows Tint
Similar to front-side windows, in the majority of states, it’s legal to have your rear-side windows tinted anywhere from 15%-70%. Interestingly, no states ban this type of tint, and quite a few states allow you to have any amount of tint on your rear-side windows.
Rear Window Tint
For the rear window, most of the laws are similar to rear-side windows. The lowest legal window tint percentages allowed starting from 10% in Arkansas, with the highest being 70% in Pennsylvania and Rhode Island.
Types of Window Tints
There are multiple types of tint that fit a variety of budgets, aesthetics, and legal regulations. The most common are carbon, ceramic, metallic, dyed, and hybrid tints. While each has its pros and cons, all can help protect against sun damage and other natural elements.
Carbon
Carbon window tinting utilizes carbon particles in the film, which allows it to reject heat more effectively than some other types. It also has a matte look which can add an air of uniqueness to a normal tint job. A downside of this type of tinting, however, is that it’s more expensive than some other types and falls just short of the advantages that ceramic tinting has.
Ceramic
Ceramic tinting is generally regarded as the best of the best in terms of quality. It blocks harmful UV rays, sun glare, and rejects heat similarly to the other types but performs far better than them.Â
Metallic
Metallic window tinting also reflects heat, and rather than looking matte like carbon tinting, looks shinier instead. It shares many benefits with carbon tints, such as heat retention and durability, but a big consequence is that it often interferes with modern technology such as phones and radio, and GPS signals.
Dyed
This is the least expensive type of window tint that you can get, which makes it more accessible to those who are mainly concerned with getting the basic benefits of tinting, like absorbing heat and a higher level of privacy. However, because it’s the cheapest option, it won’t block as much heat or as many UV rays. And because it isn’t as durable as higher-quality tints, it tends to fade over time and the layers of film may separate.
Hybrid
Hybrid window tints take a best of both worlds approach with the two lowest grades of window tinting; dyed and metallic. Hybrid tints are characterized by a dark, crisp look that isn’t reflective and is still durable while being less expensive than metallic tinting. It’s more expensive than a dyed tint and not as high-grade as carbon or ceramic, but it’s a solid option nonetheless.
Protect Your Ride
The benefits of window tint don’t stop at the style points, but to take advantage of these benefits, you’ll need to comply with the window tint regulations in your state.
If you’re a car lover or just want to learn more about how to take care of your daily driver, check out our automotive category for more tips and advice.
