Tinted windows can elevate the sophistication of any vehicle, giving it a sleek, mysterious look. In the past, this was the main reason people chose to tint their windows, but perceptions are changing and window tinting is becoming more popular among everything from sports cars to minivans.
Tinted windows are about much more than aesthetics. The decision to tint your car’s windows has many other positive attributes like making the driving experience safer and more comfortable. Take a look at the following valuable reasons to tint your car windows:
1. Safety
If you typically drive home during rush hour, then you’re probably familiar with the eye-squinting face you have to make when driving toward the sun. It’s not easy to see the vehicles around you, let alone the pedestrians, cyclists, and other driving hazards. Tinted windows work like giant sunglasses that keep the glare of the sun out of your eyes, with the added benefit of covering you in all directions.
2. Privacy
This is an especially nice feature if you have small children that ride along with you. Window tinting protects them from the unwanted stares of strangers. Even if you do a lot of your driving alone, tinted windows mean that what happens inside your car remains your own business.
3. Cooler Temperatures
Did you know that tinted window film can reduce the temperature inside your vehicle by 60 percent? Not only will that keep you more comfortable in your car, but it will reduce the cost of the extra gas that goes into running the air conditioner and buying coolant.
4. Accident Protection
Windows with a tinting treatment will not shatter. The film serves as a tape that the glass sticks to instead of falling apart in the vehicle. Considering the National Highway and Traffic Safety Administration reports that a person suffers an injury in a car accident every 16 minutes in the U.S., this feature is an important one if the unexpected happens while on the road. The windshield is not the only problem area, either. A side collision can also send glass flying into the vehicle and onto its passengers.
5. Interior Protection
Exposure to the sun’s UV rays can damage the interior of your vehicle and cause leather upholstery and details to fade or crack. The sun can also fade cloth material and give it a dingy look over time. Window tinting keeps 99 percent of the UV rays from entering your car, keeping the interior looking like new for much longer. While certainly not an operational concern, this is a way to retain the value of your car whether you plan to drive it for a decade or sell it down the road.
6. Driver Protection From the Sun
People may think that they are safe from the effects of the sun’s rays when they are inside a vehicle, but that is a misconception. The sun’s rays can still penetrate skin through vehicle windows. This is the reason that people who drive a lot often notice the skin on their left arms is darker than the right. As mentioned above, windows with tint block 99 percent of UV light, reducing the risk of skin cancer for drivers and riders. Just as the tint works like a pair of sunglasses, the tint also serves as a secondary sunscreen.
If you own a vehicle that did not come with window tinting, it really is worth the investment over time. The cost savings that go into cooling the car alone are worth the upfront price. When you factor in sun protection, privacy, and safety factors, tinting the windows of your vehicle is a wise investment.