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Jul 20
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Window Tint Percentage - Guide To Choose The Right Car Tint - Automotive Window Tint in Springfield, MO

Window Tint Percentage – How To Choose The Right Tint For Your Vehicle

By | Automotive

Considering having your vehicle tinted, but unsure on what window tint percentage to choose? We are here to help. with some factors to consider when choosing the right percentage of tint for your car.

  • Your Location: The legal tint percentage varies from state to state, so be sure to check your local laws before you get your car tinted.
  • Your Needs: What are you hoping to achieve with tinting your car? If you’re looking for privacy, you’ll want a darker tint. If you’re more concerned about blocking UV rays, you can use a lighter tint that still provides high UV rejection.
  • Your Budget: Different window tint technologies have vastly differing pricing. It’s important to understand your overall objective of having window tint installed and how the various options fit within your budget.].
  • Your Vehicle’s color: The color of your car can also affect the way tint looks. Darker cars tend to look better with darker tint, while lighter cars can look good with lighter tint.
Check out this chart and a general guide to the different window tint percentages.Window Tint Percentage - How To Choose The Right Tint For Your Vehicle
  • 70%+: This is very light window film. High tech, innovative films can be this light and still offer decent heat & UV rejection. This is a popular option when high visibility is desired.
  • 50%-70%: This is a good compromise between privacy and visibility. It blocks out enough light to reduce some glare and heat, but it’s still light enough to see through easily.
  • 35%-50%: This is a slightly darker tint that offers a little more privacy while giving more heat and glare reduction. It’s still easy to see through, but it’s not as bright as a 50% tint.
  • 20%-35%: This is a dark tint that offers a great deal privacy. This is comparable to what you typically see from the factory on the back windows of SUVs and vans. It’s not as easy to see through, but it does a great job of blocking out light and heat.
  • 15% and Lower: This is typically knows as “Limo Tint”. This window film is very dark and offers maximum privacy. This is not a film that would be considered safe for front side windows when the visibility of the driver is imperative.

Here are some additional tips for choosing the right window tint percentage for your car:

  • Consider the Climate Where You Live –  If you live in a hot climate, you may want a darker or higher technology tint to block more heat. If you live in a cold climate, you may want a lighter tint to let in more light.
  • Think About Your Driving Habits. If you do a lot of night driving, you’ll want a tint that doesn’t make it too dark to see at night.
  • Consider the Style of Your Car. If you have a sporty car, you may want a darker tint to give it a more aggressive look. If you have a luxury car, you may want a lighter tint to keep it looking elegant.

If you’re still not sure what tint percentage is right for you, give us a call. We would love to help. Ultimately, the best way to choose the right window tint percentage for your car is to view cars with different types and percentages to see what you like. There is no right or wrong answer, so it’s important to find a tint that you’re comfortable with. If you would like more information or to talk about car window tint percentage options for your vehicle, contact us by calling (417) 823-8715. We are your premier source for automotive tint in the Springfield, Missouri area.

Jul 07
0
Is Car Window Tinting Advised? Car & Driver Magazine Discusses - Automotive Window Tint in Springfield, MO

Is Car Window Tinting Advised? Car & Driver Magazine Discusses

By | Automotive

Famous automotive magazine Car and Driver published an article called “Is Car Window Tinting a Good Idea?”. We wanted to summarize that article for you discussing the benefits and things to be concerned about regarding having your vehicle windows tinted.

The article starts by discussing what window tinting is by saying that it is “the process of applying a thin laminate film to a vehicle’s glass in order to darken it.” While this is for the most part true, newer technology films can offer significant benefits while remaining nearly undetectable on the glass. While the performance of the film is an important element, the article points out that, “there are purely aesthetic reasons as well for applying car window tint. It doesn’t hurt that some people think that tinted car windows look cool“.

Is Car Window Tinting Advised? Car & Driver Magazine DiscussesAs the article continues, it discusses the other reasons besides looks that someone might consider having their windows tinted. “The reasons people choose to tint the windows of an automobile vary. These might include privacy or security; protection from UV rays including UVA, the ones responsible for causing skin cancer; and reducing solar gain (interior heat) and thus incrementally improving fuel economy; and cutting down on glare from the sun.”

Protection from UV rays is often overlooked or misunderstood when thinking about car window tinting, the article does a good job of explaining. “While the standard glass used in car windows can block some UV radiation, a car window tint of good quality from a reputable manufacturer —if applied correctly—can help increase protection from ultraviolet radiation. It can also help preserve the interior of your car, including the upholstery, carpeting, and dashboard, which can fade over time by exposure to sunlight.” You can learn even more about exposure to harmful UV rays while in a vehicle by referring to this article from The Skin Cancer Foundation entitled “Are You in the Know About This Sun Protection Strategy?”

Last, but certainly not least, the article discussed being aware of what the laws pertaining to vehicle window tint are in your area. As the article states, “The amount of light that a window tint allows into the interior varies greatly, and affects how well you can see out. Every state has its own regulations and laws pertaining to the level of darkness it allows for automotive window tints. The volume of light that can pass through your window is referred to as variable light transmission, or VLT. Each state has different regulations concerning VLT percentage“. It’s a good idea to check your local tint laws by clicking HERE.

We hope that you found this article on car window tinting to be informative as you make your decision regarding having your vehicle’s windows tinted. If you would like more information or to talk about your options on getting a vehicle tinted, contact us by calling (417) 823-8715. We are your premier source for automotive tint in the Springfield and St. Louis, Missouri area.

Jun 22
0
Automotive Window Tint Myths - 3 Truths Versus Fiction - Vehicle Window Tinting in Springfield, MO

Automotive Window Tint Myths – Check Out These Truths vs Fiction

By | Automotive

As we interact with customers that have questions about window tint, we realize that there are some automotive window tint myths that need to be dispelled. In this article, we discuss 3 common myths and give you the truth.

3 Automotive Window Tint Myths Dispelled

Automotive Window Tint Myths - 3 Truths Versus Fiction - 2

  1. Window Tint Will Make My Windows Too Dark – While there may have been a time that this was true, modern window film technology allows you to block a significant amount of heat and harmful UV rays from passing through the glass without noticeably darkening the glass. In fact, we have technology that enables a barely noticeable window film to outperform the heat rejecting properties of a film of limousine darkness from years ago.
  2. Vehicle Window Tint Will Change Color and Fail Leaving a Bubbly and Hazy Mess – This can certainly be true if substandard window film is used during the installation. It is imperative to have your window tint installed by a professional shop utilizing high quality window films backed by a manufacturers warranty. Most professional window films will come with a lifetime warranty against color change, bubbling, peeling, haziness, etc. We would be happy to provide you with a copy of the warranty for the window film products we utilize as well as warranty paperwork once your installation is complete.
  3. Automotive Window Tint Is Illegal To Have Installed – This is also false. The laws regarding vehicle window tint vary based on what state you reside in. To learn more about the tint laws in your area as well as anywhere in the United States and Canada, you can check out the handy guide available HERE.

If you would like more information regarding the automotive window tint myths discussed above or to talk about your options on getting a vehicle tinted, click HERE or contact us by calling (417) 823-8715. Find out why Custom Shade Window Tinting is the Springfield, Missouri area #1 source for automotive window tinting.

Jun 08
0
Does Automotive Tint Really Reduce Heat Inside The Car? - Automotive Window Tint in Springfield, Missouri

Does Automotive Tint Really Reduce Heat Inside The Car?

By | Automotive

A recent post on Verify This online asked the question does automotive tint really reduce the heat inside your car.

They start the article by saying “Every car owner knows a hot day can feel even worse when you climb into a car that’s been sitting outside. Interior car temperatures can reach well over 100 degrees after just an hour of sitting in the summer heat. People try all kinds of things to keep their cars a little cooler while they’re out in the sun, including adding extra tinting to their car’s windows. Dark windows may increase your privacy, but do they actually cool the interior too?”

The article shares a video that helps to answer this question.

The article goes on to state that “For decades, studies have found tinted windows can help reduce a car’s internal temperature by at least a few degrees. The studies have shown that you don’t have to tint all of your windows to see a decline in your car’s interior temperature.”

With the Summer heat arriving, we wanted to share this and we hope you found this information about how automotive window tint reduces heat inside your car helpful. We offer free quotes for adding window tint to your particular vehicle and can discuss the various types of tint available and their heat reducing capability.

If you have questions about our window tinting services, contact us by calling (417) 823-8715. We are your premier source for automotive tint in the Springfield, Missouri area.

May 04
0
Spring Home Improvement? Window Tint May Be A Great Choice - Home Window Tint and Film in Springfield, Missouri

2023 Spring Home Improvement? Window Tint Is A Great Choice

By | Home

Thinking about a Spring home improvement project? We wanted to give you some compelling reasons to consider home window tint or film. This innovative product brings many valuable benefits that you should be aware of.

Why Home Window Tint / Film May Be The Perfect Spring Home Improvement
  • Reduced energy costs. Window tint can help to keep your home cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, which can lead to savings on your energy bills.
  • Improved comfort. Window tint can help to reduce glare and heat, which can make your home more comfortable to live in.
  • Increased safety. Window film can help to deter break-ins and protect your family from flying glass in the event of an accident or natural disaster.
  • Enhanced privacy. Window films can help to provide privacy for your home in a variety of ways.

If you’re looking for a way to improve your home’s comfort, energy efficiency, safety and privacy, then window tint / film is a great option. And with the warm weather of spring just around the corner, there’s no better time to get it done. It is a retrofit that is applied to your existing windows with minimal disruption to your home.

If that didn’t convince you, here are a couple additional benefits of home window tint.

  • Reduced fading of furnishings. The sun’s UV rays can fade furniture, carpets, and other furnishings. Window tint can help to protect your belongings from fading.
  • Increased curb appeal. Window tint can make your home look more attractive from the outside. This can be a great way to increase your home’s value.

With so many benefits to offer, window tint is a great Spring home improvement project. If you would like more information about our home window films, you can contact us by calling  (417) 823-8715 or fill out a form HERE. We are located in Springfield, Missouri and cover the entire surrounding areas.

Apr 20
0
Car Window Tint Information Discussed by Kelley Blue Book - Automotive Window Tinting in Springfield, Missouri

Car Window Tint Information Key Elements From Kelley Blue Book

By | Automotive

Trusted resource Kelley Blue Book recently published a post on automotive window tint entitled “7 Things to Know About Car Window Tinting“. The article introduces this car window tint information by saying “Car window tinting can give a stylish look to your ride and improve visibility by reducing glare. Fans of tinted windows say the darkened glass slows fading of interior surfaces due to sunlight exposure. They also say tinting helps keep the temperature inside a car cooler. Tinted car windows also bring an additional layer of privacy and security because it is more difficult to see inside the automobile. In some cases, medical conditions may require a car owner to have tinted windows.”

The first thing the article dives into is answering the question “What is Window Tint?”. The article states that “Aftermarket window tinting is a method of applying a thin film to the interior surface of a vehicle’s windows. This material is designed to darken a car’s windows to block UV light and reduce glare from the sun and headlights.

Car window tint film is available in a variety of materials and shades. A standard performance measurement used for car window tinting is visible light transmission. A darker shade of car tinting has a lower percentage of light transmission. The tint affects how much light gets into the car and plays a part in reducing glare and how well a driver can see.”

The next thing that the article explains is the laws related to window tint. The article explains “State laws regulate the level of darkness permitted for auto glass tinting. Window tint laws are created as a safety issue for drivers to see other vehicles better when driving and for law enforcement officers as they approach a car.

When determining how much to tint windows, you must check your state’s department of motor vehicles to learn about the regulations, such as the legal light transmission levels. Once you determine the levels allowed, you can choose the appropriate window tint film for your car. State laws specify the level of tint allowed for each window of passenger vehicles. All states have restrictions on tinting applied to front windshields.”

You can learn about the automotive window film laws in your area by clicking HERE

The article finishes by discussing the different variety of films available. Window films do much more than just tint your glass; they can block 99% of UV rays, significantly reduce heat and cut irritating glare. The level of window film selected makes a difference in how it will perform. We would be happy to discuss these different options, the pros and cons of each with you and help you determine what might be the best fit for your needs and budget.

We hope that this article provided you with car window tint information you can use to make a great decision for your vehicle. If you have questions about our services, contact us at (417) 823-8715. We are your premier source for automotive window tint in the Springfield, Missouri area.

Apr 06
0
Improve School Security & Student Safety With Window Films - Safety & Security Window Film in the Springfield, Missouri area

Improve School Security & Student Safety With Window Films

By | Safety & Security Window Film

With this school year closing in on Spring Break, many districts are looking into facility security upgrades to improve school security and enhance student safety. Many of the upgrades being discussed and implemented across the country have to do with school security and student safety. It is an unfortunate thing that school safety has become a mainstay in the news. It becomes difficult to discuss school security and student safety strategies without appearing to have an agenda or be trying to sell something.

While we want to be sensitive to this, we also feel that it is important to share information that can have a positive impact on these incidents in the future. This article is designed to illuminate the topic of glass being one of the greatest school safety vulnerabilities.

A recent article in Campus Safety Magazine called 9 Ways to Improve Safety on an Open Campus discusses a variety of different tactics to improve school security and enhance student safety. Of the various things they discussed, they mention “Apply security glazing film to all first-floor doors and window glass. Start with door glass first and continue until all first-floor glass is secure.”

Liz Crawford wrote another article titled “Is Your Child’s School Safe? Examining The Top 3 School Safety Vulnerabilities“. She noted glass as being one of the top 3 vulnerabilities because of the extensive use of tempered glass in schools. She, along with Craig Gundry, Vice President with Critical Intervention Services, discussed and said “Another common security vulnerability in schools is extensive use of tempered glass glazing. Tempered glass shatters into small pieces and Gundry believes one gunshot into the glass will make it easy for a gunman to enter the building. Critical Intervention Services estimates a gunman can get into a school in roughly nine seconds if confronted with tempered glass.”

Gundry Aldo said, “One of the reasons tempered glass has historically been much more common in architectural design as well as indoor environments is because of the price. It is less than half the price typically of laminated glass,”. We unfortunately see this specification in schools regularly. There is good news though. This school safety vulnerability can be addressed by retrofitting existing school glass with a security window film. When someone tries to gain access through the glass of a protected door or window, the security window film would allow the glass to break, but it would maintain the glass in the frame. While this film / glass combination can eventually be penetrated to gain access, the objective is to create resistance. Slow the entry down.

The goal should be giving school officials and authorities time to respond. Window film offers a cost effective solution with minimal disruption to the facility.

If you would like more information or have any questions about how security window films can improve school security and student safety, please contact us by calling (417) 823-8715 or fill out a form HERE. We would be happy to provide you with a free property assessment and estimate on retrofitting security window film in your Springfield, Missouri area school.

Mar 15
0
UV Protection For Your Home or Office? Learn Why It's Important. - Home and Office Window Film and Window Tinting in Springfield, Missouri

UV Protection For Your Home or Office? Learn Why It’s Important.

By | Commercial, Home

Have you ever thought about the need for UV protection in your home or at the office? If not, keep reading. This article explains why it is important and how a professional window film can help.

First, what are window films?

Window films are thin sheets of material that are applied to the surface of windows to provide a variety of benefits, including UV protection.

How do they help with UV protection?

Here are some of the benefits of using a window film for UV protection in a home or office.

  1. Blocks Harmful UV Rays: Window films can block up to 99% of the sun’s harmful UV rays. This means that it can help protect the people inside the building from the damaging effects of UV rays, such as skin cancer, premature aging, and other skin disorders.Check out this article from The Skin Cancer Foundation that states, “Both UVA and UVB rays can cause sunburn and tanning, which damage the DNA in your skin cells and increase your risk for skin cancer. UVA rays also cause the unwelcome signs of premature aging, including dark spots and wrinkles. Those UVA rays account for up to 95 percent of the UV radiation reaching the Earth’s surface and are quite good at finding you. They can bounce off reflective surfaces like water and, most relevant during the workday, they can penetrate window glass. If you’re sitting next to a window on a sunny day, those UVA rays hitting your skin are doing damage. (Window glass filters out most UVB rays.)“
  2. Preserves Interior Furnishings: The same UV rays that harm human skin can also damage interior furnishings and fabrics such as carpets, curtains, and upholstery. Window film can help protect these items by blocking the UV rays that cause fading and discoloration.

Overall, window film is a practical and effective way to provide UV protection for a home or office. By blocking harmful UV rays, window film can help create a healthier and more enjoyable indoor environment.

If you would like more information on the UV protection of our home or office window film offerings, click HERE. If you have any questions or would like to arrange for a free, no obligation consultation and quote, please contact Custom Shade today by calling (417) 823-8715 or fill out a form HERE. We are located in Springfield, Missouri and cover the surrounding area.