What Percent is Factory Window Tint?

Window tint is a great addition to your brand new or used vehicle! Not only does window tinting make your car or truck look slick but there are so many benefits to having this service done. The most common questions that people have when they're thinking about getting their vehicle's windows tinted is what percent is factory window tint and what is the legal percentage in my state? We're going to look further into that! First, let's cover the basics.

What is Window Tinting?

Window tinting is a film that is applied to your car or truck's windows. The film is typically made of poly-carbonate materials and can come in many shades. 20 percent window tint, for example, will give the driver 20 percent transparency of visibility through their specific window. There is a common misconception that a higher percentage means darker tint--this is not the case. The percentage of window tint refers to the visible light transmission or VLT. The percentage is actually indicating how much light actually makes it through the tint. So, going back to our example, if you have 20 percent window tint, that means that the other 80 percent of light is blocked from getting into your vehicle.

What Percent is Standard on a Vehicle?

When you buy a vehicle, it typically comes with anywhere from 15 to 20 percent window tint. This tint is usually not on all windows of the car and is mostly found on the rear windows only. Factory window tint is where the glass itself is tinted, unlike the film that is used to make your windows darker thereafter. It also does not provide the same benefits as the aftermarket window tinting film and is typically only used to provide privacy.

What Percentage is Legal in Illinois?

Every state has their own laws about what percentage of window tint is legal. For most vehicles in Illinois, the legal percentage of window tint is up to 35 percent. Therefore, if you are interested in having tinted windows but want to err on the side of caution with the maximum percentage a vehicle would come stock, you would still be able to have 20 percent window tint. Multipurpose vehicles such as limousines are able to have up to 50 percent window tint. These laws do not include the windshield of the vehicle as that cannot be tinted beyond having non-reflective tint on the top six inches of the windshield. If your window tint is darker than the legal limit it can result in tickets and fines from law enforcement.

What are the Benefits of Having Window Tint?

There are many benefits to having your vehicle's windows tinted aside from aesthetics. Window tint will make your vehicle look amazing, but check out the many other reasons it can be beneficial:

• Privacy - This is probably the main reason people consider having their car's windows tinted. The privacy window tinting provides is wonderful! If you like singing at the top of your lungs while driving but don't necessarily want people staring at you at stop lights, here is your solution! It also comes in handy if you travel with valuables in your car or truck.
• Gas Mileage - Who doesn't want to get better gas mileage--especially with the way gas prices are! Having your windows tinted blocks the sun's rays which in turn means your AC won't have to work as hard and you get to make less stops at the gas pump.
• Comfort - While talking about blocking out the sun's rays, let's also mention how much more comfortable you'll be while driving! Not only does it keep the inside of your vehicle cooler but you won't have to worry about not being able to see when the sun is beating down on your way home from work.
• Protection - Even lower percentages, like 20 percent window tint, can make a huge difference when it comes to protecting your vehicle. Not only can UV rays damage your skin but they greatly impact the interior of your car, especially if you have leather. The sun can cause cracks and fading on both the seats and the dashboard.

Conclusion

The bottom line is that window tinting for your vehicle can make your car or truck look sharp, protect it, and even up the value of the vehicle. The percentage of tint that you choose is really based on personal preference and what you'd like to get out of it. Whether you choose to go with a darker factory look like 20 percent window tint or take it to the max with the legal limit of up to 35 percent window tint, you're on a way to a more comfortable ride with window tinting!