So, you’ve decided to get your car windows tinted. Congratulations! You are about to join a group of happy drivers enjoying comfort and sleek styling in their vehicles.

However, once you get to the shop to have the work done, you will have an important decision to make: How dark should I go?

You may have thought about this question in advance, or perhaps asked friends or family for advice and are prepared to do as they have suggested. If you have had tinting material applied to other vehicles, you may already know exactly what you want.

But if this is your first time, then this guide is for you.

Window tint shades are categorized by their Visible Light Transmittance (VLT). This is a measurement – expressed as a percentage – quantifying the amount of available visible light that can pass through the material. A high number means more light passes through the material, that is, it is lighter. A lower number means less light is passing through it because the material is darker.

For example, the privacy glass that is commonly featured on the rear sections of sport utility vehicles is usually a 20% light transmittance. That means it admits 20% of the available light, while blocking the remaining 80%.

All of our 3M product lines come in a variety of VLTs or “shades”. There are lighter and darker options in every film series.

It is important to remember that these VLT numbers have nothing to do with how much HEAT the material can block. They also have nothing to do with how much ultraviolet radiation the film can block. (Yes, heat and UV are separate things! To learn more, read my other post here).

Speaking of UV, did you know that every 3M film carries an endorsement from the Skin Cancer Foundation for their outstanding UV blocking properties?

The single most important thing to remember when considering what shade of window film to choose is that you have a unique set of circumstances and tastes. Other people can tell you what they chose, and may even tell you why, but their choices and reasons are likely different from yours. Your choice should be driven entirely by your specific needs.

So, you need to begin by answering the question: “Why are you tinting your windows?”

The most common answers are: privacy/security, aesthetic enhancement, UV protection, heat protection, and glare reduction.

As you begin forming your answer to that question, be sure to consider these questions as well:

What are your local laws governing window tinting?
How diligently are these laws actually enforced?
What is your level of commitment to civic responsibility and safety?
What is your personal tolerance for risk?
Does your driving record contain a long list of previous infractions?
What is your visual acuity level, particularly at night?
Do you frequently drive at night?
Do you have myopia, hyperopia, presbyopia, astigmatism or any other condition that compromises your vision?
Do you live in a higher/lower latitude where darkness prevails throughout significant portions of the year?
Do you live in a climate that is frequently cloudy or overcast? Or are you in a sunbelt region that is generally very bright year-round?
Do you live in a rural area with few to no streetlights and where encounters with wildlife on the road are common?
Will a spouse or other family member sometimes be driving the vehicle? Might their answers to these questions differ significantly from yours?

By now it should be clear that it is highly improbable that another person will have the exact same values / reasons /circumstances as you for choosing a particular window tinting shade. You may trust your friends implicitly, and they surely mean well, but their suggestions will not be particularly helpful unless they share a similar context.

Some people see very dark window tinting and think: “Ooo! Just like the Presidential limousine! Must be a VIP!”

Other people will look at the exact same dark tinting and think: “Ugh! Criminal! Drug dealer!”

Only YOU can say what “looks cool” to your eye. Only YOU can say what is “too dark” or “too light” for your personal tastes. Your co-workers may not know these things about you – why would you listen to them?

So, what shade should you get? Think carefully, answer all the above questions, then visit a professional shop to view real product samples with your own eyes and make an informed decision about what best suits what YOU are looking for. Nobody else knows you like you.

The Perfect Guide To Choosing A Window Tinting Shade

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