Understanding Window Tint Percentage - Global Tint UK

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More and more people now realize the importance of having their car windows tinted. Deciding to finally have your car windows tinted is one of the best favors you did for yourself.  However, because of the technicalities involved in the process of its application, some are still not sure or overwhelmed with all the things they have to consider to make sure their tints are perfect on the first try. One of the most common questions for car owners who are considering to have their vehicles tinted is the difference of tint percentages or levels.  What do the different levels/percentages of tint film mean? Film percentages stand for light transmission, or the amount of light that is allowed through the film. The lower the percentage, the darker the film. So a 100% tinted window would have no tint, completely free from car window tinting.  A 5% tint would be what we usually call limo tint, which can be the darkest in some regions, depending on what they offer. This is because the percentage is actually referring to visible light transmission, or VLT, it becomes a little easier to understand. The VLT is the percentage of visible light the tint allows to pass from the exterior of the window to the interior of the vehicle, which means that a 5% VLT means that only 5% of exterior light is allowed to pass through the glaze, which is why it’s so dark. In contrast, a 60% VLT means that the tint blocks 40% of visible light transmission (and allows 60% through).

Legalities

In the United Kingdom, the percentage of tint on vehicles is very closely monitored because of all the potential damages offenders can get involved in. The law rules that front windscreens and front side windows depending on when the vehicle was first used. If the vehicle was first used on April 1, 1985, then the required percentage of the darkness of the tint should be at least 75% of light through and the front side windows must let at least 70% of light through. For cars that are first used before April 1, 1985, the front windscreen and front side windows must both let at least 70% of light through. Tinting your car may be an easy decision, but it is usually installed for the usual reason of privacy. But, did you know that there are other benefits of car tint other than that? The long list of window tinting includes comfort, UV protection, aesthetics, and increased safety, privacy, and energy savings. Car window tint will shield your eyes and prevent glare from all sources of extreme and blinding light. More over, direct exposure from sunlight and associated UV rays can be harmful to our health. It can potentially cause skin cancer when exposed over a prolonged period of time. Car tinting blocks 90% or more of harmful UV rays while also significantly reducing heat. By installing it to your windows, you prevent your car’s interior from deteriorating on a much faster pace. Also, thicker “automotive protection” films are available, which can provide an extra level of safety in case of an accident, or any attempted car theft. Tints also prolong the lifespan of your vehicle. The heat and UV rays from direct sunlight can turn your upholstery into a mess in a few short years. At the same time, the wood trim and dashboard can also suffer from the heat too! SOURCES: http://www.wikihow.com/Tint-Car-Windows http://cars.lovetoknow.com/about-cars/types-auto-window-tinting https://www.gov.uk/tinted-vehicle-window-rules

• Published on September 28, 2018

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