Window tinting involves applying a thin laminate film to a vehicle’s windows. This tint serves a dual purpose: enhancing your car’s appearance while providing practical benefits such as increased privacy and protection from harmful ultraviolet rays.

While consulting with many of our customers, we hear them ask, “What does a 35 percent window tint mean?” In window tinting terms, this value represents the VLT, or Visible Light Transmission, which signifies how much light the tint allows through. So, a 35 percent VLT means that only 35 percent of visible light can pass through the window, while the remaining 65 percent is blocked, resulting in a darker tint.

So why is a 35 percent window tint so popular? It strikes a balance many car owners find appealing, offering benefits like reduced glare, heat control, and UV protection. Additionally, it often complies with tinting laws in many states, making it a safe choice for those who want dark windows without legal issues and isn’t so dark that it becomes hazardous to drive in the middle of the night.

What Is Visible Light Transmission (VLT)?

To grasp window tinting, you must understand key concepts, with Visible Light Transmission being a central factor. VLT indicates the amount of visible light a tint allows to pass through. A higher VLT percentage means a lighter tint, while a lower percentage results in a darker one.

Selecting the Right Tint

Choosing the right window film shade is critical, as it alters your car’s appearance and affects its functionality. The film’s darkness doesn’t always correlate with its ability to reduce glare, heat, and UV rays. Advanced options can improve visibility while maintaining your vehicle’s original look. A cheap window tint with a 5% tint may not even block out as much UV rays and heat as an advanced ceramic window tint that’s much, much lighter. 

Factory Tint

Factory window tint applies itself during the vehicle’s manufacturing process, usually dyed directly into the glass. It’s uniform across the vehicle’s windows (except the windshield) and adheres to legal restrictions. Factory tint is lighter and aims to reduce glare and UV exposure.

Limo Tint

A limo tint is the darkest available, allowing only 5% of light to pass through. It offers maximum privacy but is often illegal on front side windows and windshields due to its extreme darkness. It’s typically found on rear windows and applied as a film over the glass.

35% Tint

35 tint describes the level of light that makes it through a vehicle’s windows. This VLT option balances privacy and visibility, enhancing the car’s aesthetics and providing solar protection by blocking UV rays and reducing interior heat. It often complies with window tinting laws in many states, making it a preferred choice for everyday vehicles and reducing the risk of legal issues and fines. For many, this can be considered the “golden middle” of car window tints, not too dark and not too light.

Legality of 35 Tint

A 35% window tint is right at the legal tint limits of Massachusetts. However, it’s essential to note that window tinting regulations vary from state to state. The permissible level of darkness or reflectivity for window tint, known as VLT, can range from as low as 20 percent to as high as 70 percent in some states. As a result, a 35 percent window tint is typically considered legal and a good choice for window tinting. It provides increased privacy and protects your vehicle from the sun’s harmful effects while complying with most states’ window tinting laws.

Is 35 Percent Tint Right For Your Vehicle?

Window tints come in various options, from factory tints to limo tints, each with different VLT percentages. So, why do many car owners prefer the 35 percent window tint?

• Adaptability. 35 percent window tints are versatile and suitable for various vehicle types. Whether you drive a compact sedan, transport your family in an SUV, or have a multipurpose vehicle, a 35 percent window tint ensures a comfortable and enjoyable ride. It works well not only for front windshields and windows but also for side and rear windows, striking the right balance in the amount of light allowed into the car.

• Interior Protection. For those with vehicles sporting black interiors, tints become essential. Harsh sunlight can heat the interior, causing premature wear and tear on your seats, dashboard, and other components. The 35% window tint comes to the rescue by deflecting a substantial portion of the sun’s rays, keeping your vehicle’s interior cooler and significantly extending the life of your interior.

• Perfect Balance. The subtlety of the 35 percent window tint significantly enhances your car’s interior without causing undue strain on the driver or risking a violation of window tinting laws. 

Install 35% Tint Today

A car window tint is only as good as its installation. A poor installation can make even the best window tints look ugly and ineffective. That’s why it’s crucial that you look to professionals such as ProCarSound&Security to ensure that your tints are installed correctly. Our experienced and dedicated technicians will make sure that your tints sit perfectly. 

If you have any questions about tinting your windows or would like to schedule an appointment, don’t hesitate to reach out to our welcoming team.