What’s the Difference Between Ceramic Tint and Regular Window Tint?

There’s nothing wrong with being meticulous when it comes to your car. You want it to last for as long as possible, and choosing the right parts, accessories, and other upgrades is crucial.

One of the many things drivers consider when maintaining their vehicle is the type of window tint to use. There are a lot of types in the market to choose from, but perhaps one of the most preferred is the ceramic tint.

The Importance of Window Tinting

Vehicles will run fine without a window tint, but it’s a common practice among drivers to have their windows tinted for many reasons.

Reducing glare is the tint’s main purpose. It can be difficult to drive in the middle of the day when the sun is in your eyes, and having tinted windows can help with this problem.

The tint can also reduce the temperature inside the cabin, improving ride comfort. Lastly, the extra shade adds a layer of protection to your vehicle, making it hard for bystanders to sneak a peek inside your car.

Ceramic Tint vs. Regular Tint

Regardless of the type, all tints are intended to block UV light and reduce glare. The difference lies in how efficient each type is at doing their job.

There’s been a high demand for ceramic tint these days, and a lot of drivers are willing to pay the extra price that comes with it.

Ceramic Tint

Ceramic tint is made from regular window film that’s been coated with ceramic particles. Unlike other types, ceramic tint is non-conductive and non-metallic.

Ceramic tint comes with a higher ultraviolet, solar, glare, and infrared rejection capacity compared to regular tint.

And because ceramic tint is non-metallic, the radio, mobile phones, and other electronic devices won’t experience any signal interference while inside the cabin.

Lastly, ceramic tint can protect the cabin from heat and headlight glare without going for a darker shade. This is ideal for drivers who have a hard time navigating the road when the shade is too dark.

Regular Tint

Regular tint, on the other hand, is exactly what it sounds like 一 a dyed window film.

There’s nothing fancy about a regular tint, except that it comes with a wide range of visible light transmission (VLT) capabilities. Common VLT figures can range from five to 50%. The higher the percentage, the more see-through the tint is.

Unfortunately, regular tint can only do so much. One downside to using this type is that it can fade over time, reducing its efficiency.

Regular window tint also lacks the properties to block infrared radiation, which is the type of radiation that makes the temperature rise inside the cabin.

Disadvantages of Ceramic Tint

There’s really no other downside to installing ceramic tint on your car except that it generally costs more than other variants.

In the long run, however, you’ll notice that ceramic tint is actually the more cost-effective choice compared to other types because of its durability.

With proper maintenance, you won’t need to touch up or replace the tint for at least a couple of years.

How Much Does It Cost to Get Ceramic Tint?

You can expect to pay anywhere between $150 and $1,200, depending on factors like the brand and labor rates from your chosen tinting service provider.

How Long Does Ceramic Tint Last?

Under the right conditions, ceramic tint can last for up to 20 years without needing a replacement, thanks to its non-conductive materials.

Still, there are several factors that can affect its lifespan, including harsh weather conditions. How you take care of it also affects how long it lasts.

Cleaning the tint immediately after installation will most likely cause it to peel off. Likewise, using a cleaner with ammonia can damage its properties.

State Laws On Tinting

Before getting your car windows tinted, it’s important to familiarize yourself with state laws surrounding the topic.

Tint Levels

The permitted level of darkness from the tint can vary from one state to another. This is because tint shades have an effect on visibility, making it a safety concern.

All states have restrictions when it comes to tinting the front windshield and/or front side windows.

For example, states like Alaska, California, Delaware, Iowa, and New York require a 70% VLT on tinted windows.

Meanwhile, New Mexico has the darkest allowable tint shade for the front side windows at 20%.

Penalties

Penalties surrounding window tinting violations can vary as well.

In Georgia, for example, driving with illegal window tint specifications is a punishable offense, resulting in a fine of up to $1,000 or imprisonment of up to 12 months.

This law applies to all vehicles driven in Georgia regardless of whether they’re registered in the state or not.

The Verdict: Is Ceramic Tint Worth It?

Ceramic tinting is one of the most popular ways to improve visibility while driving and reduce glare. Compared to other types of window tint, it offers more advantages, including the following:

• UV, infrared, and heat protection
• No signal interference
• Maximum heat protection without requiring a darker shade
• Privacy and safety
• Maximum durability

In short, yes, ceramic tinting is definitely worth it. The benefits of having a ceramic tint outweigh the expensive price you have to pay for it.

The price for ceramic tint installation also varies. The brand and labor rates for installing the tint can vary from one place to another, so make sure to do your homework before proceeding with the installation process.

Keep in mind, however, that proper maintenance is the only way you can enjoy the benefits of ceramic tint.

How you handle it after installation and how you clean it are factors that can affect the ceramic tint’s lifespan, so be sure to observe the best practices when maintaining your car window tint.