Ceramic Window Tint vs. Regular Tint in Portland, ME

Tinting your car windows will infuse them with dark shades that give your window and car a better appearance. Heavily colored tints reduce the amount of visible light transmittance (VLT) of the glass, which darkens its appearance. It reduces visibility and thus increases privacy.

However, there are state restrictions on tinting, and these laws are mostly stricter on front windows. That is because darker tints can reduce your visibility in bad weather conditions, at night, or in other driving conditions with little lighting.

Police officers check the legality of your tints by using equipment that measures the VLT of your windows In percentage.

The lowest percentage permitted for most states is 5%. Visibility is low at that value, so it is reserved for rear windows in private vehicles. The VLT percentage for front windows is often between 50% and 70%.

Types of Car Window Tints in Portland, ME

There are different types of tints that you can use on your car. And mostly, the types of tint depending on the glass’s material.

The material defines the characteristic properties of the tint. So, the focus here would be on the regular and ceramic tint types.

Regular Tint

Regular tints are often used to describe tints made of polyester materials. The polyester materials are available in different shades and colors.

They can offer privacy in your car and be customized to taste, provided the desired taste is legal in your state. They are cheap to install, and they provide privacy in your vehicle.

Ceramic Tint

Ceramic tints are relatively newer in use. It uses ceramic materials in the tint film. The ceramic material is made up of several thin layers of polyester materials.

And the polyester material is made up of nano-ceramic particles, which makes its properties differ from regular tint. The material is a poor conductor of heat, so the windows are heat-reflecting and scratch-resistant.

Comparing the Regular Tint to the Ceramic Type

Regular tints generally cost less than ceramic tints. Regular tints have darker gradients for colors and are more appealing for car beauty.

However, there are metallic components in some dyes that regular tints use. These metallic components can interfere with your car’s GPS and other radio functions. 

Unlike these regular tints, ceramic tints do not use such dyes or any at all, so they can not cause interference in your car.

Also, the color of a ceramic tint does not fade over time as it does in a regular tint. It also resists the discoloration effect of the sun’s rays on the car’s insides.

Ceramic tints offer more protection than regular tints. They reject more infrared and UV rays. This is why they offer more heat resistance than regular tints. Ceramic tints also provide privacy without the cons of the regular polyester tint.

Furthermore, ceramic tints are more durable than regular tints. They can withstand pressure better and are more resistant to impact. Ceramic tints do a better job of holding broken bits of glass after damage to avoid the glass pieces falling off the glass. Therefore, ceramics have a higher structural integrity.

Besides, ceramic tints offer more visibility than regular tint windows. It can be hard to use regular tints on glass materials with low VLT. The resulting gradient may have a VLT percentage too low for your state’s requirements.

Apart from running a lower risk of breaking the law using ceramic tints, it also offers better visibility both during the day and at night.

Work with Prestige Tint and Detail For your Regular Window Tint or Ceramic Window Tint Needs

Comparing the properties of both tint types, the properties of the ceramic tints are preferable for use. It was designed as an improvement on regular tints.

The advantage of the regular tint over the ceramic tint is the cost. It is more expensive to install or replace ceramic tints. If you can afford to use ceramic tints on your windows, it is advisable to go for it.

Another aspect you may consider is the attractive appearance that regular tints have. But you should know that ceramic tints are not entirely subpar in comparison. Ceramic tints are durable, so you would not need to replace them for more extended periods unless an accident occurs. This durability would trump the costs of replacements over time.

Ceramic tints are most times the best option for your car. However, you may need to get further information before making your decision. A professional can help you in this regard.

If you are looking for answers to your nano-ceramic tint, heat rejection, energy costs, vehicle’s interior, structural stability, visibility, protection, and more benefits, reach out to Prestige Tint & Detail today.

Contact us at (207) 222-3025 if you need more information about car tints or if you’re looking for experts to install your tints.