by Edward Matthews

Created on: September 24, 2010

If you live in a sunny environment, you have probably considered tinting the windows of your car if they are not already.  There are some benefits to having window tint installed.  The car will stay cooler in the summer, and your privacy in the car will be increased.  However, before having your windows tinted, there are a few considerations.

Quality of Work

The best way to determine the service level at the tint shop you are considering is to talk to others who have used them.  A tint job may look great when you drive away from the shop, but how is it going to look in a few months, or a year?  These are questions you want to have answered well before you hand over your money.  Some shops provide a guarantee that there will be no problems with the tint for a certain amount of time, typically a year.  Also check the BBB to see if there have been any unresolved complaints with the shop.

Legality

Tint laws vary from state to state, and you want to understand what the laws are in your state.  Also, consider the laws of any state you may travel through or move to.  The police in Alabama do not care that your tint is legal in Florida.  A good tint shop will know what the laws are in all of the states that your car will visit so that you can avoid unnecessary fines.  Of course, if your goal is illegally dark tint there are some shops that will be more than willing to assist.  Understand that illegal tint can result in a fine and a requirement to remove the tint.

Type of Tint

There are many different types of tint you can have applied to your vehicle, and they all have their own unique traits.  Typically, a thicker tint film is going to be more durable, and while it will cost more, it will likely never need replacing.  When the difference between quality tint and shoddy tint is usually less than a hundred dollars, there is no need to skimp in this department.

Top Edge Tint

There are typically different laws regarding the darkness of the strip of tint at the top of your windshield.  This is probably the most beneficial area to have tinted, and you want this as dark as is legal.  Usually a 5 percent tint is used in this area, and it helps keep the sun out of your eyes when you are driving.

There are many options when tinting your car windows.  Letting a professional install the tint is typically the best way to go, as they will often guarantee their work and will do a better job than you.  Be sure to shop around, as all tint shops are not created equally.

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