Benefits Of Vehicle Tinting

Why tint your vehicle?

The benefits of vehicle tinting are much more than just good looks. Window tint film is an inexpensive, attractive, and convenient way to improve the quality of your motor vehicle. A nice tint increases your privacy while still allowing plenty of light and visibility. You can reduce glare by 50-95% which is perfect for those west-facing afternoon commutes. It also reflects heat in the summer, traps warmth during winter and can save on heating and cooling costs.

Do you apply sunscreen before you jump in the car? Drivers who spend a lot of time travelling are at risk of skin damage from UV rays to the exposed side of their bodies. Limiting or preventing the sun’s rays from getting into your car with tinted windows can be beneficial to your health. Car window tinting blocks almost 100% of UVA and UVB rays to protect you, and your vehicle interior.

Our Aussie sun’s harsh damaging rays can work their way into your vehicle flooring, dash, seat covers, and any part of the cabin exposed to the light. This can cause fading, premature aging and damage to your vehicle interior that can be beyond economical repair. Some interior surfaces may even emit dangerous chemicals in the confined space of the vehicle if they overheat.

Another great benefit of tinting is that the adhesive used to attach the tint film to the window also serves as a bonding agent to further strengthen and prevent the glass from shattering in the event of an accident. Thieves are aware of this, and are less likely to try and break into a vehicle with tinted windows.

The Benefits

Better driving – driving into the sun is not only annoying, it is dangerous. Shield the eyes and minimise glare.

Privacy – Help protect any valuables inside the vehicle from being easily spotted by potential thieves.

Protect Upholstery – Lengthen the life of your seats and dash from fading and cracking due to extreme temperature changes and UV rays.

Be cool – The right tint can lower the inside temperature of your car by up to 60%. Use less aircon, use less fuel, save money.

Keep warm – Trap warm air inside the vehicle in cooler months, save on powering heating costs

Stay Safe – Further strengthen the glass and reduce the risk of shattering glass

Be Well – Protect yourself and your family from harmful UV rays and possible chemical emissions

What types of tint are there?

There are many different forms of window tint, so it’s best to seek professional advice to determine which is best for you and your vehicle.

The most economical is the dyed window tint but this also makes it less functional than some of the others. It blocks rays and a certain amount of heat but it is mainly used for its aesthetic value. It looks flat and opaque from the outside, giving privacy and protection from prying eyes, while maintaining visibility from the inside. This type of tint tends to fade over time, eventually offering little protection or benefit.

The next low cost option is a metallized film. This does all the same things as dyed with the added bonus of strengthening the windows in case of accident. There is one rather large drawback however, the metallic particles used in the tint can also interfere with the reception of radio, mobile phone and GPS transmissions.

A better alternative is a carbon window tint. It has none of the interfering qualities of the metallic tint does and will block approximately 40% of the infrared light seeping into your car. This type of tint, unlike dyed, won’t fade over time.

Ceramic film is the highest quality window tint and therefore the most expensive. It reduces the solar rays entering the car by up to 50%, while allowing superb visibility both day and night. There are no issues with interference of devices and it is resistant to glare and fading. Better still, it blocks 99% of harmful UV rays getting inside the vehicle and it’s made to last.

There are also a few hybrid films being used that combine a charcoal layer with an alloy oxide layer and a carbon-dyed film. The charcoal/alloy film eliminates interference with devices and improves climate control. The non-conductive carbon-dyed film is colour stable, interference resistant and has a dark black appearance, making it look strikingly aesthetic on any vehicle. It is also scratch resistant, another bonus.

Here is a comparison:

Is there any downside to tinting?

To put it bluntly, NO. There is no real negative to window tinting. Provided the type of tint is suitable for your vehicle, high in quality and applied by a professional, there will only be benefits. Your car will stay in better condition, your family will be better protected, you will enjoy being significantly more comfortable, and it looks great.

What are the vehicle tinting laws??

When you look at Australian regulations, standards, laws, rules and guides for vehicle window tinting, it is widely accepted that a car window tint be of no less than 35% Visible Light Transmission (VLT). Both 35% and 50% VLT are legally suitable for vehicle windows with no existing tint. It’s worth noting that if a vehicle has factory tinting, it is usually very light and has few of the benefits of a professional aftermarket tint.

Windscreens and front windows have a different standard than rear windows. Queensland legislation dictates the darkest tint for light vehicles with rear vision mirrors on either side is; 35% Visible Light Transmission (VLT) for windows next to, or in front of the driver – 35% VLT for windows behind the driver.

The table below shows state by state acceptable tinting levels from government websites. We have provided this table for quick access but please click the links for the government regulations.

Different states can have varying provisions. It is recommended to check the laws for your local area, but generally, if the police are inspecting your window tint, they want to make certain that the driver have good visibility; and they themselves can see inside a suspect vehicle.

Sounds great, what do I do from here?

Of course it depends your location, vehicle, type of film and chosen dealer. Please note that while not all outlets provide tinting, participating NOVUS Auto Glass outlets do provide this service and are able to assist you.

When choosing a dealer, look for a lifetime guarantee on the workmanship for peace of mind. Don’t hesitate to contact us for a free quote or advice from one of our specialised professionals.

A professional tint is money well spent considering the savings in reduced fuel consumption, and higher resale value through a better preserved interior. But best of all you increase your overall enjoyment of your vehicle and the safety of your family.