There’s a lot to love about living in Denver, but dealing with the harsher sun isn’t one of them. Being located at a higher altitude means we’re all more susceptible to its damaging UV rays, and that includes our cars.
Too much exposure to the sun affects every part of a vehicle, from the tires and engine to the paint and dashboard. As the sun beats down on your car day after day, it increases your car’s temperature, causing the interior to get as hot as 195!
But there are measures you can take to combat this, like getting your windows tinted.
Benefits of Window Tinting
Having tinted windows isn’t just for making cars look good—although it certainly does—it has more practical benefits too, like:
Blocks UV Rays
Adding protective tinted film to your windows can block nearly 99% of UV rays from the sun, which benefits your health! However, since standard windows don’t filter out any UV rays, your skin can experience sun damage even while you’re sitting in your car.
Helps Reject Heat
Have you ever wondered why the inside of your car gets so hot after sitting in the sun? That’s because windows with no magnify and absorb the heat instead of deflecting it. Adding tint film can help by blocking out between 35 to 65% of the sun’s heat.
Prevents Interior Damage
If your car sits in the sun regularly with no window shade, it doesn’t just increase the temperature inside your car, but it can damage your seats, upholstery, and dashboard. Left unchecked, you might start to see fading and cracking in these areas, but tinted windows can easily prevent this.
Enjoy More Privacy
Depending on the percentage of shade you choose, you’ll also gain more privacy with tinted windows. Whether you’re looking for more solitude or more protection against prying eyes, having darker windows will give you peace of mind.
Understanding the Different Window Tinting Levels
There are different tint levels you can choose from, which are based on the percentage of light you can see through the window. This is known as visible light transmission (VLT).
If you have a higher percentage tint, like 55 or 35%, a greater amount of light will come through. On the other hand, lower shades like 15% or 5% are much darker and reduce visibility from the exterior.
But when you get your windows tinted, you don’t want to go too dark. So it’s actually against the law, although the limit varies between states and counties.
The legal percentages also vary depending on what windows you’re getting tinted. For instance, windshields require a higher VLT, which you can only apply to the first few inches of the top.
What is the Legal Window Tinting Percentage in Denver?
The legal window tinting percentage in Denver varies depending on what windows you plan on treating and what kind of vehicle you’re adding the tint to.
Check out the lists below to find out the different limits.
Legal Window Tinting Percentages for Sedans:
- Windshield: Only allowed to darken the top 4 in. of the glass no more than 70% VLT with a non-reflective film.
- Front side windows: Must allow for at least 27% light visibility.
- Back side windows: Must allow for at least 27% light visibility.
- Rear window: Must allow for at least 27% light visibility.
Legal Window Tinting Percentages for SUVs and Vans:
- Windshield: Only allowed to darken the top 4 in. of the glass no more than 70% VLT with a non-reflective film.
- Front side windows: Must allow for at least 27% light visibility.
- Back side windows: Must allow for at least 27% light visibility.
- Rear window: Must allow for at least 27% light visibility.
Talk to Denver’s Window Tinting Experts
Sterling’s Customs offers a wide range of window tint percentages for Denver residences that are all within the legal limit. Learn more about our window tinting process now or call (720) 982-5434 to set up your appointment.
