You are walking along the road, and a beautiful car with tinted windows passes by, making you wonder: can my car get so cool?
As technology evolves and different brands are coming up with different products to amplify a car’s looks, almost everyone is tempted to try at least one of their products on their car.
Out of all, window films are a hot trend at the moment. Those thin blackish sheets rolled over the car windows are the window films.
While some will say the films are mainly installed just for the sake of excellent looks, others install such films due to their ability to block 99% of the harmful UV rays from entering the vehicle.
Be it any purpose, remember that window films are slowly getting illegal in some parts of the world, and installing the same can invite hefty fines.
However, if these films are still legal at the place where you live, you should read this article to know how much the entire process will cost.
How Much Does It Cost To Tint Car Windows On Average?
There is no fixed cost you can assume to bear while tinting your car windows. Out of all the factors (discussed below), the type of car you own is the most important. That is:
- If you own a sedan, the cost is $50 per window for smaller sedans, while the same film will cost you $100 per window for bigger sedans.
- For couples, the labor costs are higher as it takes more effort and time to tint the uniquely shaped windows of such cars. On average, you can expect anything between $120-$450 for the complete car.
- For a bigger car segment like the SUVs, the average tinting cost varies from $250-$750 for the entire car.
These figures are just for reference, and the actual figures will consider the following factors.
Factors that can affect the price
If window tinting is still a legal procedure in your city/country, you might feel tempted to try it if you haven’t!
But you should know that the cost for the same varies along with an array of factors.
For example, the film’s material, its thickness, the experience of the person going to install it, the brand, and much more. All these factors have a significant say in the final cost of the entire procedure.
The following is the complete breakdown of all the above-listed factors in determining your car’s window tinting pricing.
Number of windows
Now, there is no compulsion to tint every window of the car.
While some highly enthusiastic car owners don’t even leave the rear window and windshield from tinting, others only prefer installing the film on the side windows.
As a thumb rule, the more the number of windows you decide to tint, the higher your bill will go.
Warranty on the film
Depending upon the quality of the film you are installing, it’ll have a specific warranty period. For example, locally made and available window films can only last for a few months and are thus cheaper.
While branded films are not that readily available, they can have a lifetime warranty like the one you get with Rayno Phantom and thus are highly costly.
If the pricing is no constraint, spend a few extra bucks and go for branded films.
The thickness of the film
Some films are so thin that they are merely suitable for cool lending looks to the car. At the same time, others may have a decent thickness to block the harmful UV rays from entering the car.
Depending upon the thickness of the film, the price will vary. The thicker the film, the higher its price will go.
Time and efforts
If you have an intermediate level of understanding about cars, you will know that different car segments have different shapes and sizes of windows.
Apart from the standard size and shape, some cars have windows inclined at a particular angle.
Now, the time and efforts the installer will have to devote to installing the film will determine the final price.
Your location
It might sound strange, but it’s true. Different states have different rules, taxes, and regulations for window films.
For example, some states impose a higher tax on window tinting while others may not. So, your location and the rules there will further fluctuate the pricing of your car’s tinting.
Type of film
You will find the following three types of car window films in the market.
- Ceramic window film: It’s the highest quality window film free from metal or dye particles. Instead, these films contain ceramic particles. Since ceramic films have the latest set of technologies, these are likewise extra durable, reliable, effective against UV rays, and transparent.
- Dyed window film: Dyed window films form an affordable option for cars as there is merely a thin layer of dye next to the adhesive which goes on the window. Being affordable (or cheaper versions), such films don’t have a decent life and start to fade as the UV rays fall over them.
- Carbon window film: If the ceramic film seems costly to you and you’re not satisfied with the quality of the dyed films, carbon window films are for a person like you. These films are also free from metal particles, have carbon particles that effectively block the UV rays, and most importantly, the price is significantly moderate to afford.
Benefits of tinted car windows
One of the primary reasons some countries have made tinting illegal is to curb the illicit activities inside the vehicles having tinted windows. Still, window films are a popular choice of many due to the following benefits.
- A car’s interior has components crafted out of leather, vinyl, plastic, etc. All these materials are sensitive to the harsh sun rays, leading to leather upholstery or vinyl discoloration. Plus, constant torture from the sun’s rays weakens the plastic strength and induces cracks in it. A window film can prevent your car’s interior from all this.
- As per studies, continuous exposure to harmful UV rays accelerates aging and risks skin cancer. If you drive for extended periods, having windows tinted to block 99% of the UV rays even doctors will recommend.
- No matter how efficient your car’s cooling system is, nothing will work if there’s an unnecessary heat build-up inside the car. Hence, window films are a must to assist with solar heat rejection.
- If the above benefits don’t make you feel about installing window films, remember that tinted windows prevent thieves from breaking into your car.
- Tinted windows prevent the window glass from shattering if hit by an object. Thus, it prevents the passengers from sitting inside the flying glass chips.
- Last but not least, tinted windows preserve your privacy inside the car.
So, these are the key five benefits why tinted windows are still a thing of the present and will continue to do so in the future.
Conclusion
Window films are a common accessory these days as more and more people are getting tempted with them.
However, we should remember that not all states or countries treat window films legally.
Hence, installing the same should be done keeping in mind your state’s rules and regulations regarding the same.
If your state still has legalized tinted windows, you should go ahead with them. Not because of their fabulous looks but the number of benefits they offer.
Plus, if you’re wondering about their cost, remember that the entire process’s pricing varies from place to place and has significant fluctuations based on various other factors, as discussed above.
