Window tint is a layer of film providing vehicles with additional form and function, including elevated aesthetics, less glare, and enhanced privacy.
While most factory cars come with a certain amount of tint on their rear windows, the growing popularity of aftermarket tint emphasizes the need to understand tint percentages for more informed buying decisions. Knowing the nature and impact of different aftermarket tint percentages better positions you to maximize the accessory’s benefits while complying with local laws.
Keep reading to dive deeper into car window tint percentages and their impact on your drives.
What Is Window Tint Percentage?
Tint percentage, often called Visible Light Transmission (VLT), represents the amount of visible light passing through window film. The VLT percentage spectrum ranges from 5% to 90%, with 5% being the darkest. In other words, if a window has a 5% VLT, it has a 95% tint. Factory vehicles often have privacy glass for their rear windows, which typically has a VLT of around 15% to 20% to enhance privacy while reducing sunlight glare.
State laws vary regarding percentage requirements, and front side windows tend to have different restrictions from their rear counterparts.
Selecting the Right Percentages for Your Vehicle
When selecting tint percentages for your vehicle, it’s best to balance privacy and glare protection with maintaining clear visibility from the inside.
Many drivers find this balance while meeting legal standards through 35% VLT on the front passenger, rear passenger, and rear windows.
Your vehicle type can also affect which tint percentage is best for you. For example, larger vehicles with more occupants, like SUVs, can benefit from a darker tint for increased privacy.
Types of Window Tint Films
There are different types of tint films, each with distinct pros and cons. These varieties include ceramic coatings, carbon coatings, metalized coatings, dyed materials, and hybrid options.
Ceramic Window Tint Film
Nano ceramic window tint is the peak-performing film because of its durability and ability to block UV rays and heat without interrupting GPS and radio frequencies. Ceramic window tint blocks over 99% of UV rays.
Carbon Window Tint Film
Carbon window tint film has a matte finish visually complementing its ability to offer the same general benefits as its ceramic counterpart.
Metalized Window Tint Film
Metalized window tint film utilizes a metallic layer to increase heat and UV blockage over its dyed counterpart. However, their primary downside is a tendency to interrupt GPS and radio signals.
Dyed Window Tint Film
Dyed window tint film is the most affordable and common option. While remaining a go-to choice for elevating aesthetics, its lifespan is shorter since sunlight causes the dye to fade at an accelerated rate.
Additional Benefits of Car Window Tinting
Upholstery Protection
Protecting the condition of your upholstery is vital to enjoying drives and maintaining vehicle value. Over time, upholstery can fade due to sunlight exposure, but aftermarket tints can reduce this exposure.
If you have leather upholstery, increasing your tint percentage can decrease the rate at which sunlight dries out the leather, which can cause cracking.
Window Shatter Protection
Shattered vehicle window glass flying into a cabin during an accident is obviously a huge hazard. Tint significantly enhances a window’s ability to resist shattering because the film holds broken glass pieces.
Solar Heat Rejection
Solar heat rejection is an essential benefit of car window tint. In addition to entering your car more comfortably during warmer months, you’ll reduce your reliance on air conditioning, lowering gas consumption.
Maintaining Your Car Window Tint
Car window tint maintenance should involve gentle cleaners and avoiding abrasive materials. Gentle cleaners are free of harsh chemicals like ammonia, and compatible cleaning materials include soft microfiber cloths. Let the tint cure entirely over 3-7 days before its first cleansing.
Cleaning every two weeks is enough to maintain the tint’s appearance while maximizing its lifespan.
Some Common Window Tint Myths
Identifying aftermarket window tint myths is vital for making a confident purchase with peace of mind.
Window Tints Bubble, Crack, and Fade
The only window tints that bubble, crack, and fade are the ones using low-quality film that received poor installation. It’s vital to hire help from a professional for installation, as the process is not a DIY-friendly effort.
Window Tint Lowers Your Vehicle’s Resale Value
Professionally installed window tints aren’t a death sentence for your vehicle’s resale value since they help maintain crucial components like upholstery, offering more driver comfort, increasing privacy, and elevating aesthetics.
Window Tint Drastically Lowers Interior Visibility
While window tint can lower a driver or passenger’s visibility, it won’t have a dramatic effect since the film is designed to appear darker on the outside than on the inside.
Aftermarket Tint Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
How Dark Can I Tint My Vehicle’s Front Windows?
Many drivers naturally wonder about front side window tint percentages since these windows tend to have stricter laws than rear windows.
States with more forgiving front window tint laws include Arizona, Florida, New Mexico, Mississippi, Oklahoma, Texas Wyoming, and Washington. The average front passenger window VLT percentage between these states is just over 26%.
How Can I Calculate Final Tint Percentage?
You’ll determine final tint percentage by multiplying a current tint level with the aftermarket’s tint percentage.
Do Tints Come In Custom Sizes?
Yes, aftermarket tints are available in different sizes to accommodate different window dimensions.
Upgrade Your Vehicle with Oiwa Garage’s Aftermarket Tint Films
Oiwa Garage fulfills your vehicle’s aftermarket tint needs with premium window films balancing form and function. Whether you drive a coupe, sedan, or truck, we have you covered with different film UV and IR protection levels, reflection percentages, and more.
Our customizable tint kits in an array of colors and VLT percentages, so learn more about your state’s car window tint laws and regulations to guide your order.
Car Window Tint Laws and Regulations
US states communicate their window tint laws and regulations in the context of VLT. Some states restrict tint color and reflectivity, and most states require back-tinted windows to have dual-side mirrors.
Most states also prohibit tinting the entire windshield, with some allowing a small tint strip. We’ll focus on laws relating to side and rear windows, while also clarifying stances on reflectivity and colors.
Alabama
Alabama stipulates that all side and rear windows must have a VLT of at least 32% with reflectivity not exceeding 20%.
Alaska
Alaska has a 70% VLT for front windows and a 40% VLT for back side and rear windows. The state bans metallic or mirrored tinting in addition to red, yellow, or amber tinting.
Arizona
Arizona requires a minimum VLT of 33% for front side windows, with no restrictions on back side or rear windows. Reflectivity can’t exceed 35%, and red/yellow colors aren’t allowed.
Arkansas
Arkansas has a 25% VLT requirement for front and backside windows, and a 10% VLT minimum for the rear window. Metallic or mirrored tinting is banned.
California
The Golden State’s only window with a VLT restriction are the front passenger windows at 70%. However, reflectivity can’t be more than a standard window, and red, amber, and blue tint are illegal.
Colorado
Colorado has a 27% minimum VLT for all side windows and the rear window. Metallic, mirrored, red, and amber tinting aren’t allowed.
Connecticut
Connecticut requires a 35% minimum VLT for front and back side windows, with no limit on rear windows. Tint can’t be more than 21% reflective.
Delaware
Delaware only has a VLT requirement for front side windows at 70% but bans metallic or mirrored tinting.
Florida
Florida has a minimum VLT of 28% for the front side windows and 15% for all rear side windows. Tint also can’t exceed 25% reflectivity.
Georgia
Georgia has a 32% VLT requirements for all windows while banning tint with more than 20% reflectivity, red, or amber.
Hawaii
Hawaii’s minimum VLT is uniform across different windows at 35% with restrictions on metallic or mirrored tinting.
Idaho
Idaho requires front-side and rear windows to have at least 35% VLT, but rear side windows differ with a 20% VLT. All tints must be non-reflective.
Illinois
Illinois has a 35% VLT law on all-windows and bans reflective tint.
Indiana
The minimum VLT for all car windows in Indiana is 30% with a 25% reflectivity limit.
Iowa
Front side windows in Iowa need at least a 70% VLT, but remaining windows don’t face requirements. Iowa is interesting in that it bans “excessive” reflectivity, but doesn’t specify with a percentage what it considers excessive.
Kansas
All Kansas car windows have a 35% minimum VLT. The state prohibits metallic, mirrored, red, amber, and yellow tinting.
Kentucky
Kentucky requires a 35% VLT for front passenger windows and 18% VLT for remaining windows. Tint reflection can’t exceed 25%.
Louisiana
Louisiana has a larger variance in its laws with a 40% VLT for front side windows, 25% for rear side windows, and 12% for the rear window. Reflection percentage is limited to 20% or less.
Maine
Front passenger windows in Maine need a 35% minimum VLT, and while remaining windows don’t carry VLT restrictions, all windows must be non-reflective.
Maryland
Maryland requires a 35% VLT for all windows while banning red, amber, and yellow tint.
Massachusetts
MA residents face the same VLT laws as drivers in Maryland, and reflectivity can’t exceed 35%.
Michigan
Michigan allows for any percentage on all windows, but the front side windows must be only four inches from the top portion. Reflectivity caps at 35%.
Minnesota
All windows have a 50% minimum VLT, and tint can’t be more than 25% reflective.
Mississippi
Each vehicle window in Mississippi must have at least a 28% VLT that doesn’t exceed 25% reflectivity.
Missouri
Missouri limits VLT requirements to front passenger windows at 35% and allows for a peak reflective percentage of 35%.
Montana
Montana drivers need 24% VLT on front side windows, 14% on all rear windows, and a reflective percentage of 35% or less.
Nebraska
Front passenger windows have a 35% VLT, and all rear windows need a minimum VLT of 20%. Reflectivity can’t exceed 35%. Red, amber, or yellow tint is illegal.
Nevada
Front passenger windows are the only windows with a VLT requirement at 35%.
New Hampshire
New Hampshire doesn’t allow front side window tinting, but you can tint remaining windows at a VLT percentage of 35% or higher if it's not metallic or mirrored.
New Jersey
New Jersey similarly bans metallic, mirrored, and front side window tint, but doesn’t place VLT limits on remaining windows.
New Mexico
New Mexico requires a 20% minimum VLT on all windows.
New York
Front and rear side windows in New York must let at least 70% of light in, while the rear window doesn’t have a limit. Metallic and mirrored tinting are illegal.
North Carolina
North Carolina has a uniform VLT minimum percentage for its windows at 35% and bans tint that’s over 20% reflective, metallic, or mirrored.
North Dakota
Front passenger windows have a 50 VLT requirement, with no VLT stipulations on remaining windows. Metallic or mirrored tinting is prohibited.
Ohio
Ohio requires a 50% VLT for front side windows, with no restrictions on other windows. Tint reflectivity can't exceed that of a standard window.
Oklahoma
Oklahoma mandates a 25% VLT for all windows, with reflectivity not exceeding 20%.
Oregon
Oregon requires a 35% VLT for all windows. Reflectivity can't rise above 13%, and red, green, yellow, black, and amber tints are prohibited.
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania has a 70% VLT requirement for all windows and bans metallic or mirrored tinting.
Rhode Island
Rhode Island mandates a 70% VLT for all windows, with no specific reflectivity restrictions.
South Carolina
South Carolina has a 27% VLT minimum for all windows. Tint must be non-reflective, and red, amber, and yellow tints are prohibited.
South Dakota
South Dakota mandates a 35% VLT for front side windows and 20% for rear side and rear windows. Metallic or mirrored tinting is banned.
Tennessee
Tennessee requires a 35% VLT for all windows and bans metallic or mirrored tinting.
Texas
Texas has a 25% VLT minimum for front and rear side windows, with no restrictions on the rear window. Reflectivity can't exceed 25%, and red, amber, and blue tints are prohibited.
Utah
Utah requires a 43% VLT for front side windows and 29% for rear side and rear windows. Reflectivity can't go above 15%.
Vermont
Vermont mandates a 70% VLT for front side windows, with no restrictions on other windows. Metallic or mirrored tinting is prohibited.
Virginia
Virginia requires a 50% VLT for front side windows and 35% for rear side and rear windows. Reflectivity can't exceed 20%.
Washington
Washington mandates a 24% VLT for rear side and rear windows, with no specific requirements for front side windows. Reflectivity can't go above 35%.
West Virginia
West Virginia has a 35% VLT minimum for all windows. Reflectivity mustn’t exceed 20%.
Wisconsin
Wisconsin mandates a 50% VLT for front side windows, with no restrictions on other windows. Reflectivity can't exceed 35%.
Wyoming
Wyoming requires a 28% VLT for all windows. Reflectivity can't go above 20%.
