Different Types of Auto Tinting Explained

Getting your car windows tinted brings many advantages and makes your car look great. There are two big things to consider when planning car window tinting in Brisbane – finding a professional, reliable team to install your tinting and deciding between the different varieties of automotive tinting available. By understanding the pros and cons of different options, you can make the right choice for your car.

METALIZED WINDOW FILM

Metalized tinting features a layer of film specially treated to block out UV radiation, as well as a metalized film that reflects heat and light away from your vehicle.

PROS AND CONS

The pros of metalized car window tinting include:

• Very effective at blocking out heat and reducing glare.
• Highly efficient at screening out UV rays.
• Metalized tinting film doesn’t fade over time.
• This kind of tinting is also highly durable.

The cons of metalized car window tinting include:

• Metalized film can interfere with radio technology and other electronics.
• The very shiny appearance caused by the metal content put some people off.
• The metal makes it more expensive than other options.

DYED WINDOW FILM

Dyed window film is a simpler type of tinting. It uses a layer of dye between an adhesive layer and a protective top coating. This type of car window tinting can block anywhere from 5% to 50% of sunlight from entering your vehicle.

PROS AND CONS

Some of the reasons to consider dyed window film are:

• Dyes film produces a very dark, matte-style effect that many people like.
• This type of film does not block radio waves, so it won't interfere with an in-glass antenna.
• This type of film is overall the most cost-effective.

Cons include:

• If not installed properly, dyed tinting films can develop bubbles.
• This option is less effective than others at blocking heat.
• Dyed window tinting can delaminate over time.
• This material can become decolourised over time by UV rays, changing from black to an off-purple.

HYBRID TINTING FILM

Hybrid window film offers many of the advantages of both dyed and metalized films, while minimising their disadvantages. Hybrid film can block anywhere between 50% and 95% of glare and light.

PROS AND CONS

There are a lot of advantages to hybrid window tinting film, such as:

• Very effective at blocking heat, due to the reflective meals used.
• Highly effective at blocking glare and UV rays.
• Fades at a much slower rate than dyed films.
• The metalized layer increases the durability of the film.
• Hybrid films use less metal and, as such, don’t interfere with radios or mobile phones.
• The lower metal content also makes this film less shiny than metalized window tinting.
• Hybrid is less costly than metalized

The main disadvantage of hybrid tinting film is its relatively high cost.

CERAMIC FILM

Ceramic window film consists of an adhesive layer bonded to a thin ceramic layer, plus a protective top coating. The ceramic layer blocks out 65% to 70% of glare and UV rays.

PROS AND CONS

There are a lot of good reasons to consider ceramic tinting for your car:

• It is very effective at blocking heat, UV rays, and light glare.
• Ceramic window tinting doesn’t fade over time.
• Radio signals pass easily through it.
• Ceramic window film isn't overly reflective and shiny.

The only real disadvantage of ceramic window film is its cost – it is the most expensive window tinting option on the market, and won’t be within everyone’s budget.