While there are many types of window tint films available in the market, two of the most popular are ceramic tint and carbon tint. Though they may look similar, the composition of ceramic and carbon tints differs vastly, and as a result, each offers different advantages.
Carbon Tint
Carbon window tints are popular for their efficacy in blocking infrared light, providing quality heat rejection. In other words, this feature reduces the heat inside your vehicle significantly, leading to better comfort and reduced dependence on air conditioning.
So, what is carbon window tint, and how does it work? Simply put, carbon window tint is made from carbon particles mixed into the film. These particles absorb light, especially the sun’s infrared rays that carry heat. As such, a vehicle with carbon-tinted windows will experience less thermal energy, thereby maintaining a cooler interior. In addition to heat reduction, carbon tint also reduces visible light transmission, which means fewer glares to distract you while you’re behind the wheel.
Some of the significant benefits of carbon tint include its non-reflective finish and complete privacy. It is also known to resist fading over time, providing consistent and high-quality aesthetics. However, while carbon tint window films are effective in blocking heat and sunlight, they aren’t as effective in blocking harmful UV rays compared to other tints. Although reducing ultraviolet rays might not seem important while choosing a tint, remember that these rays are responsible for causing skin cancer and fading your car’s interiors.
Overall, carbon film is an excellent investment for car owners who value privacy and cool interiors but remember to evaluate its effectiveness for UV protection before making your decision. In the next section, we will explore in detail the benefits of ceramic window tints, drawing distinct comparisons between the two types of window tints to help you make an informed decision.
Ceramic Tint
Moving onto our next tint option, the ceramic window tint. Ceramic tint, known as the highest quality of tints, is renowned in the car tinting industry for its numerous advantages.
Unlike regular tint or carbon tint which incorporates carbon particles, the ceramic window tint is made with non-conductive, non-metallic ceramic particles. These particles have the unique ability to block up to 99% of the UV rays from the sun— far more than the average carbon or metallic tints. This exceptional UV protection quality not only helps to protect the vehicle’s interior from fading but also helps protect the skin from harmful UVB rays, a benefit that extends especially to those frequent drivers.
At the same time, ceramic window tint is also highly effective in heat reduction due to its ability to cut out infrared light. Despite being powerfully resistant to both heat and UV light, ceramic window tints do not compromise visibility. In contrast to darker tints such as carbon tint, these enable a high degree of visibility, thereby improving the driver’s safety, particularly during nighttime driving.
With all these exceptional benefits, you might wonder if there are any downsides to ceramic window tint. Well, one of the perceived downsides is that the ceramic window tint comes at a slightly higher price point compared to carbon tints or regular tints. However, the extra cost of ceramic tint is easily justified by its superior benefits, from better UV protection to cooler interior temperatures and better visibility.
Should I Use Carbon or Ceramic Window Tint on My Vehicle?
This answer boils down to your preferences. If you want to save money while also getting good levels of heat rejection, a carbon or metalized window tinting film will be fine. That said, the cost difference is minimal—a couple hundred bucks. So even though a ceramic window film costs a little extra, the benefits in terms of heat rejection, UV ray protection, and sun glare reduction are massive.
What is tint in car?
Aftermarket window tinting is a method of applying a thin film to the interior surface of a vehicle’s windows. This material is designed to darken a car’s windows to block UV light and reduce glare from the sun and headlights. Car window tint film is available in a variety of materials and shades.
What’s the darkest I can tint my car?
The light transmitted through the windscreen must be at least 75%. The front side windows must allow at least 70% of light to be transmitted through them.
WHAT PERCENT TINT IS BEST?
Automotive window tints that range from 35% to 50% are effective against UV rays and great for temperature control. They’ll block up to half the light, reducing discomfort caused by reflection. If you’d like to get window tints without giving up style, films with 35% might be what you want.