Having window tints on your car offers many advantages. Window tints make your vehicle look more awesome. Also, investing in car window tints can protect you and your car from ultraviolet rays which save you money in the long run.
Tinting is cool, but before doing so, you should know the tricks of the trade. With that being said, here are some of the terminologies that we at Global Tint use when it comes to the window tinting industry.
The next time you go to your tinting store, here are some of the words you should get familiar with.
Visible Light Transmittance (VLT)
VLT is the percentage of visible light that passes through the window. This means that if a tint has 40% VLT, only 40% of the light is seen, and the tints block 60%. Windows that are more tinted have lower VLT.
Knowing the laws of your country regarding the allowed VLT limit should be known before getting your windows tinted.
There is internal and external VLT. Internal VLT refers to the light that can pass inside a car, and external VLT refers to the light passing through windows from outdoor sources.
Visible Light Reflectance (VLR)
If the VLT is responsible for the limit of light able to pass inside the window, VLR corresponds to the percentage of light that is reflected. The percentage of a window tint’s VLR determines the tint’s capability against glare. A car window that has not been tinted reflects 8 to 10% light.
U-Value
U-Value is the ability of a window tint to transfer heat between the inside and outside of a car window. The lower the U-Value of a window tint film, the less energy it needs to keep the indoor temperature cooler.
The U-Value is measured through one square-foot of a film for every one degree Fahrenheit change in the temperature. By knowing the U-Value of your window tint, you can already see how much energy you will save.
Sterling coefficient
On a first glance, sterling coefficient looks like a mathematical term, but never be mistaken. The sterling coefficient determines the measure of the total solar heat that can go through a film to the total heat that could pass if the window does not have a tint installed. The lower the sterling coefficient, the more a tint could provide better shade.
Total Solar Energy Rejected (TSER)
The TSER of a window tint measures its ability to block the harsh elements of sunlight, which are UV light, infrared radiation, and visible light. The more TSER that a window tint film has, the more it’s likely to block and reject solar energy.
Curing time
The curing time of a window tint is the time it takes for the window tint to fully bond and sticks to the window. It is advised never to roll the window down or tamper your tints if your tints are not fully dry yet.
These are some of the things that you have to learn if you want to have the best window tints for your car. Asking your window tint provider is also not a bad idea.
If you want to know more about window tints, you can always visit our website at https://globaltint.co.uk/ or call our hotline (0800-158-8005).
