Types of Tint
Window tinting is popular among car owners as it provides not only privacy while on the open road, but also reduces the amount of sunlight in the car cabin, which may help reduce temperatures during hot summer days. Window tints may also be used in buildings and homes for privacy or energy reasons. The types of tints available range depending on their intended purpose; however, it is important to note that not all window tints are legal for automobile use.
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Sputtered Film
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Sputtered window tint film is among the most expensive type of tint, as it is created by using electromagnetic fields to distribute gas particles toward a thin layer of metal. One of the main benefits of this type of tint is its weight, as the sputtering of atoms may be as thin as 1/100th of a human hair. The purpose of sputtered film tinting is to reflect specific radiation bands and heat. The type of radiation bands reflected is determined by the type of metals used during the creation process. This type of tint is ideal for those looking to reduce heat absorption at home or in a vehicle, as the metal layer rejects outdoor heat from entering interior spaces.
Dyed Film
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Dyed window tints are perhaps the most common and least expensive. Unlike other tints, which use metals to reflect UV radiation, dyed film consists of a polyester film mounted between an adhesive and a scratch-resistant hard coat. Dyed film tint is applied to the interior surface of a window, and because of its darker color, heat is absorbed by the film and bounced back into the window glass. Tint Center states that a small percentage of heat does bleed through the film and into the interior cabin of a vehicle; however, because of the swift movement of air on the exterior of the window, this heat is pulled out of the window and away from interior spaces.
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Hybrid Tint
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Hybrid tints are a combination of metalized, or sputtered, and dyed film. This type of window tint consists of five layers, which include a mounting adhesive, dyed polyester film, laminating adhesive, metalized film layer and an exterior hard coat. Hybrid tints allow users to take advantage of the benefits for dyed and metalized film while reducing each of their drawbacks. For example, dyed tints tend to be too dark while metalized tints are extremely reflective. By combining the two, the dyed tint is lightened and the reflective properties of the metalized tint are dulled, thus providing a tint capable of rejecting heat and UV rays without excessive darkening or mirroring of the windows.
Warning for Vehicle Tint
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Applying a window tint to your vehicle may enhance privacy and comfort; however, you must adhere to the laws and regulations of your state when it comes to the darkness level of window tints. Vehicle tints are regulated by the visible light transmission, or VLT, percentage, which is the amount of light able to pass through a tint. Each state regulates VLT percentages, and such information is available by contacting your state's department of public safety division or department of motor vehicles. Never apply a window tint until you learn the rules governing your state.
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