What is the best window tint to protect my children in the back seat?

posted by Solar Shield, 12 months ago

How can you protect your child and make them more comfortable in the back seat of your auto?

I am sure that after getting your house ready and baby-proofed for a new child you are also thinking of how to protect your child and make them more comfortable in your auto as well. 

During the summer the back seat in the car can get quite hot for your children. There is also a great concern for the ultra-violet ray’s exposure. The direct sunlight can also hurt those tender young eyes. Even adults can experience headaches and sunburn from the amount of sun coming through car windows. In addition to this, children can also experience burns from the hot seatbelts.

Window shades and window tinting are two options that help in solving these problems. The logical question then remains: which is better? It is important to understand the difference between window shades and window tint, so we will offer you a brief description of each:

Window Shades

window shade is usually a mesh fabric used to block the excessive sun rays reaching the car interior. These are usually woven from polyester and have small holes in the material allowing you to see out with minimal obstruction. They are designed to reduce glare and some of the heat. It is recommended not to use window shades that have a suction cup to adhere it to the window or hard plastic pieces because they could become a projectile in a hard brake or crash.

Window Tint

This is a film that is applied to the interior of a car windows. This is usually done on all the sides and rear windows. It will reduce the sun rays that reach the car’s interior, therefore reducing the amount of heat and glare without the obstruction that shades produce.

There are a variety of window films. There are window films with dyes that when darker will reduce more heat by reducing the amount of light transmittance. Then there are ceramic films designed to allow more light transmittance but reduce more heat. The other advantage of window film is that it will reduce almost all of the ultra-violet rays. It is very important, however, that you purchase a window film where the UV inhibitors are sputtered in the film itself and not just put in the adhesives. This is a more expensive process, but you will have UV protection for decades rather than just a few years. The problem with window tint is that the application process is very difficult and should not be attempted as a DIY project, so make sure to find a reputable company that offers the best films and skilled installers.

Warning: Window tinting is not sufficient to keep a car cool enough for a child to be left alone in the car safely. Always check the back seat and bring your child with you.

When looking into window tint for your vehicle, another consideration is factory tint verses after-market window tint.

Factory Tint

Usually SUVs, trucks, vans and cross-overs (MPVs) come with factory tint already in the glass. They come with a light transmittance of approximately 20%. This is done by colored dyes added to the glass. And while the darker color reduces some glare and heat, it doesn’t do much in reducing the harmful UV rays.

What the factory tint offers is a great advantage but only for MPVs. The rear windows on MPVs are exempt from the tint laws, so you are able to add after-market window film to these windows to protect you and your family from flying glass in the event of an accident.

Aftermarket Tinting

Aftermarket window tinting is a film that is applied to the interior glass of your vehicle. This film can not only reduce the glare, heat, and fading, but it can also reduce the harmful UV-rays. Make sure and find out what your state requirements are for light transmittance for your type of vehicle, so you don’t find yourself illegal. Also, make sure and check out ceramic films to reduce more heat.

The amount of UV rays is about a 40% contributor to the fading that takes place in your vehicle. Light transmittance is about a 25% contributor and heat is also about a 25% contributor. The window film results in protection for your upholstery and your loved ones in the vehicle, especially your children in the back seat. This is money well spent.

Which is better: window shades or window tinting?

Most people prefer window tinting because it preforms much better, and it is a product can be installed and then forgotten about, unlike shades that you have to put up when needed and take down when the sun is down. Again, the UV protection is a vital component that you get with the window film.

A window shade will also not be as aesthetically pleasing because you see the mesh, and it is not a perfect fit to the windows.

What are the advantages of Window Tint?

1. Safer driving

By reducing the amount of direct sunlight in your vehicle, it will make driving safer. Glare of sun rays can be quite uncomfortable and can potentially lead to an accident. Having the window film can also reduce headaches from the intense sunlight. With window film, you can significantly reduce the amount of light that blocks your vision, leading to safer driving on a sunny day.

2. Shattered glass protection

In the case of an accident, window film reduces the chance of the glass shattering and causing lacerations. This is quite common in car accidents. The flying glass gets embedded in your skin and can even be making its way out months later. With window film, if the glass does break, the film will hold most if not all the shattered glass together. This will protect you and your children from the danger of shattered glass.

3. Prevent crime

Criminals are more likely to break into a car when they can see valuables inside. We recommend never leaving valuables inside, but when it is necessary, make sure you have window tint. If the window film is dark enough, it is able to conceal items left in the car which can reduce burglar enticement. It can also make it more difficult to break the glass preventing quick “smash and grab” situations.

4. Block harmful UV lights

UV A rays that lead to cancer do penetrate glass. When you or your children ride in your vehicle, they are exposed to these rays and have a higher chance of developing skin cancer. Tinting your vehicle reduces the exposure of cancer-causing UV light by 99%.

5. Interior protection

It is worth noting that sunlight damages your car’s interior.  The dashboard and other parts of the car’s upholstery tend to fade and crack, leaving you with the expense of getting it fixed or replaced. Leather seats are usually quicker to faded than cloth seats, although bright cloth seats fade pretty fast as well. Also the leather will become dry and stiffen.

In Conclusion

Adding an aftermarket window film to your auto will definitely bring more safety and comfort to your children in the back seat as well as all others.

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