Choose from Three Options

• $75 for full vehicle window tinting for a two- or four-door sedan ($170 value)
• $99 for full vehicle window tinting for an SUV ($225 value)
• $30 for window tinting for two windows only ($70 value)

Tinted Glass: Soaking Up the Shade

Whether it’s on a rented limousine or a family sedan, tinted glass can do a lot for a car. Read on to learn how it works and how it’s applied.

A car’s windshield and windows can keep out a lot of things: wind, bugs, snow, obnoxiously fresh air. Most modern auto glass has some UV protection built in, but if you want to keep things cooler—or prevent people from stealing your idea for an invention on your way to the patent office—tinting film might be a solution. There are four main types on the market: 

Dyed: When the sun’s rays hit a surface coated with dyed film, the dark color absorbs the sun’s light and heat. Then, the natural airflow around the car sucks it away from the glass—keeping it from entering further into the vehicle. Dyed films tend to be less expensive than other options, although some can discolor over time.

Metallic: In metallic films, extremely thin layers of reflective metals rest between layers of polyester—you might be able to identify a car with this type of film by its slightly mirrored look. These metals do an excellent job of blocking harmful rays and reducing interior heat, but there’s one potential drawback: the metal in some of these films can slightly distort radio, phone, or GPS signals.

Hybrid: Hybrid film is made using a combination of dyed and metallic materials, yielding a product that carries many of the benefits of these separate techniques. For instance, combining a gray dye with a thin layer of titanium produces a window film that’s neither too dark nor too reflective.

Ceramic: This durable, scratch-resistant material has been used in thermal protection systems for NASA space shuttles, so it makes sense that it’d also work well on earth. Ceramic films are amongst the thinnest available and can even be used on front windshields, since they also come in clear varieties. They’re even a popular choice for use on home windows, blocking heat in the summer and holding it inside in winter.