Window tints designed for cars have come a long way since they were introduced in the mid-20th century. In the last ten (10) years, technology has increased the products’ durability and effectiveness immensely. At first, these products were confined to simple polyester films. These materials are still available today, though they are of a much higher quality than they were just five years ago. Metal and ceramic films are becoming increasingly popular because they significantly reduce solar heat and glare as well as being extremely durable.
The original dyed polyester sheets were darkly pigmented, allowing the material to absorb light as it passed through. While this was effective at reducing glare, it also dimmed the interior significantly, impairing vision, and had only modest heat reduction benefits. Now, most tints made for cars include small amounts of metal or ceramic to improve their solar reduction properties.
Metalized film consists of multiple layers of polyester with tiny amounts of metal deposited on them. This metal is usually nickel-chromium, aluminum or copper, though about twenty-five (25) metals are compatible with the process. Metal films have a high light-to-solar-gain ratio, or LSG. This material is specific in what parts of the light spectrum it filters out. Today’s manufacturer can now produce films that selectively block out only the most troublesome of the solar rays such as UV radiation. The result is a highly reflective material that transmits little heat into the interior.
Ceramic films are another popular development over the last decade or so. Ceramic is one of the best insulators available, so it is the perfect material for keeping out summer heat. Like metalized films, ceramic products are also extremely durable and can last for years.
