Installing window tints on your car windows is an increasingly popular way to reduce heat and glare inside your vehicle. But window tints also protect from ultraviolet rays. Getting daily UV rays exposure can cause skin damage and increase the risk of skin cancer over time. In this article, we’ll explore how effective is auto window tinting for UV protection and adding comfort while driving.
How Does Window Tints Block UV Rays?
Window tints contain tiny metal particles that reflect and absorb both visible light from the sun and invisible UV radiation. When UV rays try to pass through tinted windows, less radiation makes it into your car. This means your skin gets exposed to fewer UV rays compared to untinted windows.
The level of UV protection depends on the darkness or visible light transmission (VLT) percentage of the film. Darker tints block more visible light from entering, so they also prevent more UV rays from passing through.
- Light or pale tints transmit as much as 50% of visible light and block only a small portion of UV rays.
- Medium tints let in 15% to 35% of visible light and filter over 90% of UV radiation.
- Very dark limo tints block over 99% of UV rays but are illegal for front-side windows in most states.
Overall, medium car window tinting around 30% VLT offers a good balance of reducing heat and glare while protecting you from over 90% UV exposure from the sun.
What Factors Affect UV Blockage of Car Tints?
Several things impact how much UV radiation gets blocked by your car’s window tinting:
Tint Darkness Level
The darker the tint, the less UV transmission. So, how effective is auto window tinting for UV protection? Very dark tints prevent nearly all UV rays from entering but aren’t allowed on front side windows in some states.
Tint Material and Quality
High-quality dyed, carbon, and metalized window films provide more UV protection than lower-budget plastic films. Poor adhesive can also allow UV to leak around tint edges.
Window Type
Windshield glass already blocks most UV rays thanks to the laminated safety layer. But side and rear windows allow over 70% of UV to enter untinted. Adding tint significantly cuts UV for these windows.
Window Condition
Small cracks, pits, fogging, or prior tint bubbling can all reduce UV protection and light transmission levels of films over time. Proper installation also minimizes air bubbles and gaps in coverage.
Car Usage
The more time you spend driving, the more UV exposure you get. Using shade, cracking windows, or wearing sunscreen and UV-protective clothing will reduce exposure also.
What Are the Benefits of Blocking UV Rays with Car Window Tinting?
There are important health benefits to reducing UV exposure from the sun, especially extended exposure:
- Lowers skin cancer risk: UV radiation causes genetic damage over time and is the primary cause of melanoma and other skin cancers. Window tint forms a protective barrier to reduce this cancer risk.
- Prevents premature skin aging: UV exposure leads to wrinkles, age spots, loose skin, and other cosmetic signs of early aging. Less UV penetrating your car windows means less facial sun damage as you drive.
- Reduces eye strain and cataracts: Sun glare reflecting off dashboards and other surfaces strains your eyes. UV rays can also damage proteins in the lens, increasing the risk of cataracts (clouded vision) over time. Both glare and UV rays are significantly decreased with proper auto window tinting.
- Protects skin and interior: Less UV penetration keeps your skin from getting burned during long summer drives. It also prevents sun damage and fading on car interiors. Dashboards, panels, seats, and flooring last longer with reduced sunlight exposure.
What Are the Laws on Window Tint Darkness?
Many states regulate how dark window tint can be – particularly for front side windows which the driver looks through:
- Front side windows must allow 70% of light through. This blocks only 30% of visible light and UV rays.
- Back side windows can have darker tints allowing 15-30% of light transmission.
- Rear windshield tint darkness varies by state from 15% to 70% VLT minimums.
Some states permit medical exemptions for drivers to have darker front window tints if diagnosed with skin cancer or other UV sensitivity. Limo tints are also legal on certain vehicles. But in general, the laws aim to mandate lighter tints on the front driver and passenger windows for safety.
Conclusion
Installing quality window tints on your car can significantly reduce UV radiation exposure as you drive. If you are still not sure how effective is auto window tinting for UV protection. Here are the concluding remarks. Medium-grade films offer around 90% UV blockage while maintaining adequate light visibility inside vehicles. Combined with sun protection habits, auto window tinting meaningfully protects skin, eyes, and interiors from sun damage. Checking your state’s legal limits helps ensure both UV protection and driving safety. With the right legal film choice, window tint remains an affordable way to enjoy rides with less sun exposure.
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