Bad window tint jobs are nothing to joke about. When you decide to invest to tint car windows, you’re shelling out your money for a job well done.
To ensure you’re getting the best product possible, you need to do your research. Tinting your car windows come at a variety of prices and it depends on a few things.
Knowing the ins and outs of tinting prices and the additional services will help you ensure you’re getting quality on all fronts. Keep your car looking great year after year.
If you’re not sure where to begin, don’t worry. We’re going to explain how much it usually costs to tint car windows and everything in between.
What Does It Cost to Tint Car Windows?
Window tinting ranges from $50 to $800. This is a big gap, but the price depends on the film and if it’s a standard, non-reflective tint film, or another more expensive material (ceramic, metallic, other specialty films).
Aside from the material itself, your price will be a reflection of your car’s make and model and the installer providing the service.
Trusting a professional with the installation is the most important part of tinting your windows. Don’t try to DIY this project unless you have plenty of experience in the window tinting field. Paying more for a service without issues is well worth the additional dough and wasting $100 or so.
Understand Tinting
Before you spend the money to get your windows tinted, you need to understand the tinting process.
Window tinting refers to the application of a thin laminate to a vehicle’s windows to darken them. Looks are a small piece of the puzzle, but window tinting offers a plethora of benefits.
For example, individuals outside your car won’t be able to see inside. This increases privacy and wards off potential theft. However, this won’t cause issues with the driver’s vision.
It also does a great job of dispersing light away from your vehicle. At night, window tinting deflects vehicle headlights as well. We’ll cover more of the benefits later.
Types of Films
Overall, cost differs greatly when it comes to different types of window tinting films. Ceramic, dyed, and carbon window tints are all different options to invest in. But what are the details of each material type?
If you’re looking for the highest quality window tinting, ceramic window film is your best option. It doesn’t contain any metal or dye, only ceramic particles that are both non-metallic and non-conductive.
The reason it carries such a high price point is because of the materials it’s made up of. The non-metallic and non-conductive make up ensure the film won’t block cell signals, GPS systems, and radios. This is very important for any commercial vehicles/truck drivers that invest in window tinting.
Dyed window tints are the most affordable of the window tinting options. This material is created through a process that adds a layer next to the adhesive that’s applied to your window.
This material will experience some significant fading because of the sun’s harmful UV rays. This process happens over time because of its dyed nature. Since dyed films aren’t as advanced, functional, or durable as ceramic, they carry a lower price point.
Finally, carbon window tinting is a material that is reliable but has one major flaw. In some cases, carbon window tinting creates a glare that makes it difficult to see out your vehicle.
The material is less expensive than ceramic film but it does provide a cooler interior, less fading, and lack of metal. Carbon would be one of the best options if it wasn’t for the hazy glare the driver often has to deal with on the road.
Model of Vehicle
The make and model of your vehicle will also determine the cost you’ll shell out for window tinting.
On average, sedans offer the most affordable tinting prices. They have the least amount of window surface area in comparison to other vehicles.
In most cases, individuals won’t tint the largest window on their vehicle (the windshield) because of certain state regulations. This also helps lower the price.
Coupes, trucks, and SUVs all have a more difficult process when trying to tint car windows. These models of vehicles have more curvature, surface area, or steepness to their windows making the installation process difficult.
The cost for each model of vehicle depends on how many windows you’re looking to tint and the difficulty of the installation.
Benefits of Car Window Tinting
If you’re still on the fence about investing in car window tinting, don’t be. The benefits of the process are endless, but let’s name a few.
Aside from protecting against theft, the best car window tint can protect the upholstery inside your vehicle. The constant beat down of UV rays from the sun causes a lot of problems for your vehicle and the driver.
UV rays can fade leather and vinyl. Window tinting can slow the process or completely eliminate it.
Window tinting can block 35 to 65 percent of the solar heat that builds up in your vehicle. This means your vehicle will not only be protected but it will be significantly cooler on hot days.
An additional safety benefit of installing window tinting is protection against any shattered glass. The film is designed to reinforce the glass and therefore make it more difficult to fully shatter if there’s an accident.
These are only a few of the benefits after you tint car windows. In short, invest the money. Window tinting is well worth the $150 on average you’ll spend to protect your vehicle instead of thousands of dollars.
Invest in Your Vehicle
When you tint car windows you’re doing it for more than an increased aesthetic. We covered the benefits of the process and what it will cost you. The only thing left is to make an appointment.
Window tinting is an investment. It’s a cost-effective way to extend your vehicle’s life, protect the items inside, and more.
If you need more information on vehicle tinting and more, keep reading our articles. We’re updating them daily to ensure you’re getting the information you’re looking for.