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Understanding Window Tint Percentages

Are you interested in getting window tint for your vehicle?

Vehicle window tint provides several benefits, from blocking the sun’s heat to helping you drive with less glare. Do you know what percentage of tint you need for your car?

And before anything else, do you know the difference in window tint percentages?

Not sure where to begin? Don’t worry; we’re here to help you out. Here’s everything you need to know about legal tint percentages.

Black Out

Window tint percentage is directly related to the amount of light and heat that enters the car. A higher tint percentage can reduce the amount of light that comes in and impact the privacy of the driver.

Typically, when it comes to blackout tint, a higher percentage in the range of 90 and above is recommended. This type of tint is serious business, as the darkness of the tint can make all of the windows in the car either fully or near-fully opaque.

Blackout tint on cars offers many benefits, such as protection against UV rays and heat, which means that the driver has a more comfortable car environment with reduced glare.

It also provides a greater sense of privacy and security for the people who take the car to wherever their destination might be. 

5% Tint

A 5% tint means that only 5% of the light entering the window is allowed through. The other 95% of the light is absorbed or reflected. The lower the percentage, the darker the tint will be.

In most cases, the highest tint percentage legally allowable is 50%, although this will vary regionally and depends on the type of vehicle. With a 5% window tint, occupants will get a significant amount of protection from the sun’s harmful UV rays while still allowing some visibility inside and outside of the car.

This makes 5% an ideal tint for those who want a bit of privacy and sun protection without sacrificing too much visibility for driving conditions.

15% Tint

A 15 tint is darker than other tints and will reduce the amount of sun, heat, and ultraviolet rays that enter your vehicle. 15 tint blocks 86% of the incoming light, which makes it the perfect choice for people who want to add a little more privacy and protection from harmful ultraviolet rays. The tint can also block up to 88% of light, depending on the type, shade, and brand utilized.

15 tint is great for vehicles that spend a lot of time outdoors, as it will help to keep the vehicle’s interior and your skin cool during those hot summer days. Additionally, 15 tints can help to enhance the visual appeal of your car, providing a classy and sophisticated look.

20% Tint

Window tint percentages, such as 20 tint, refer to the amount of sun and UV rays protection a window has. Window tints, also known as window film, can block out varying levels of unwanted heat and UV rays. The higher the percentage, the better the window tint is at blocking out heat and UV rays.

For example, 20 tint is a basic level of tinting, blocking out around 18% of visible light. A higher percentage of 30 tints will block out more visible light, around 50%.

It is important to understand the specific types of window tint you are selecting to get the desired protection and look. 20 tint can be a great choice if you want a basic tint with a subtle change to the glass but still maintain visibility.

35% Tint

At 35%, only 35% of the light is allowed to pass through the window tint. The amount of light and UV radiation blocked at 35% is significant enough to decrease glare, reduce the amount of heat from entering the vehicle, and protect the interior of the vehicle from fading.

Darker shades of tint may block more light than 35% but are often prohibited by law from being used on the front windshield and side windows. The percentage is measured by Visible Light Transmittance (VLT), which is the amount of light that passes through the tint.

For example, a 70% tint would allow 70% of the light to pass through. Applying the right tint percentage to an automobile window can provide privacy and style and reduce the harmful effects of UV light.

50% Tint

50 tint is a medium shade, which means it blocks around half of all visible light. This level of tint provides excellent heat reduction for interior comfort but is light enough to still be able to provide good visibility during the day.

It’s a great balance between being able to see out with adequate privacy from looking in. 50 tint will also block around half of the UV rays, which can penetrate the glass and cause damage to the car’s fabric and the skin of riders.

Additionally, 50 tint provides a great look that is not too dark, dark enough to be stylish without being overbearing. This is a great option for customers looking for a medium to dark option.

70% Tint

A 70 tint will allow 70% of the visible light to pass through and will block 30% of the light. Tints with 70 percent darkness or lighter are ideal for reducing glare from the sun, reducing UV ray exposure, and minimizing heat buildup in the car.

While this level of tint will provide some privacy, it is still approximately 50% darker than that of a standard car window. However, it is still legal according to most state laws. A darker window tint may be more desirable for increased privacy, depending on the needs of the driver.

75% Tint

A 75% tint will allow only 75% of the light from outside to pass through the window film. This provides a good balance between visibility, privacy, and glare easing. Although it’s not as dark as a 5% or 20% tint, 75% provides plenty of protection from the sun’s UV rays while still allowing the driver to see clearly outside.

While the amount of visible light blocked is the same as any percentage of tint, the darkness of the tint varies by model and brand. 75% tint also helps to block out heat while also protecting the interior from fading.

Not sure which percentage suits your needs? Look for the best window tinting services to help you decide.

Understand Window Tint Percentages

Tint percentages is a great way to keep your car cool, reduce UV radiation, and provide privacy. Understanding the percentages of tint helps you to make the right choice so that you can enjoy the benefits of window tinting.

Research your options and find the shade that best fits your needs.

Did you find this article informative? Check out the rest of our blog for more, aside from these vehicle upgrades!