Archive for April 14th, 2020

How Window Tint Provides Heat Reduction

Tuesday, April 14th, 2020

There are several reasons why vehicle owners consider adding window tint to their cars, from glare reduction and UV ray prevention to a stylish, modern aesthetic. One practical benefit of window tinting that many also prioritize: The way tinted windows reduce heat inside the car.

At Pro Tint Utah, we’re proud to offer a variety of window tinting services for any vehicle you require them performed on, whether your primary goal is style or practicality. If you’ve never had tinted windows before, you might be curious precisely how they block heat from entering, and also how effective your tint will be in this area. Today’s blog will go over exactly how window tint blocks heat, plus how different tint levels bring varying benefits here.

Window Tint Heat Reduction Methods

Window tint is achieved by applying a thin film to the window, and some might be wondering how just an item like this could effectively stop heat from entering a vehicle. The answer lies in the way this film interacts with the sun’s rays.

Window tint film will primarily be comprised of polyester, with varying other complementary fragments or materials also used. These materials reject many of the sun’s thermal rays – the ones that create heat and warm up a given surface or area. The goal is for heat to be blocked, while wavelengths that create light are still allowed through.

Measures and Effectiveness

There are three metrics you’ll need to know when it comes to window tint and effectiveness:

  • VLT%: Visible light transmittance, or the amount of light that comes through a given tint format.
  • VLA%: Visible light absorption, or how much the tint absorbs a given light.
  • VLR%: How much light is reflected back off the tint’s surface.

If a vehicle has no tint at all, it will usually have a VLT% of around 90% and a VLA rating of just 5%, meaning the vast majority of light will make it through.

Interpreting Metrics and Choosing Tint

Now, it should be noted that the metrics above show how much light will be blocked – not necessarily the amount of heat that will be blocked during the process. Areas of research, however, have shown that there is a clear connection between window tinting and blockage of heat: Even weaker tint levels showed major ability to reduce heat levels within vehicle, often by several degrees. Stronger tint levels, then, are expected to produce even greater results.

When it comes to making your choice, speak to our pros about both heat blockage and other factors you want to prioritize in your window tint. To learn more about this or any of our other window tinting, vehicle wrap or paint protection services, speak to the staff at Pro Tint Utah today.