Window film can be a great investment for your home or car. But which kind should you choose? The truth is that there are four main types of window film that you can choose from. Below you’ll find some information about these types of window film so that you can choose the right type for your budget and needs.

1. Dyed Film

This is the one that is most common and it’s the most inexpensive kind of film for window tinting. It blocks the light rays by the dye that is in the film. The dye’s layer is put beside the film’s adhesive and then it’s put on the window. The dye absorbs the solar heat and prevents some heat from going through a window. But this type of film usually is used for show. From outside, this kind of film looks opaque and flat and provides a level of privacy while it still lets the people who are on the inside to look out. When it’s used on a vehicle’s windows, it looks black. This dye usually will fade as time goes by, however, and the heat reduction that this type of film is low.

2. Metallized film

Much like the dyed film, it will keep the heat from your interior space through reflection. When it comes to metalized film, it’s done through the use of tiny metallic particles that can’t be seen put into the film. This content also will strengthen a window too. When it’s used on a vehicle, the window that has this film on it will have increased shatter resistance. This type of film looks shiny when you’re on the outside. It’s a lot more resistance to scratches when compared with dyed film. One of the big drawbacks of this type of film when it’s used on the windows of a vehicle, it can interfere with GPS and phone transmission, along with the reception from radios.

3. Carbon film

This type of film has a lot better results. It doesn’t contain any type of metal, so the problems with radio transmission and cell phones won’t arise when you’re using it on your windows. This type of film has a matte finish and it’s dark, so it’s very tasteful when it’s used on windows. The film’s carbon content blocks approximately 40% of infrared light that’s coming through the windows. Its effectiveness is comparable to other kinds when it comes to blocking heat. It will help with keeping an interior cool and help avoid fading in upholstery. Therefore, it lowers the need for air conditioning to work really hard when it’s hot and the heat won’t have to work as hard when it’s cold. Unlike the dyed type of film, this film won’t fade as time goes by.

4. Ceramic film

This type of film is the one with the very highest quality. It’s also very expensive, doesn’t contain carbon, dye or metal but it contains a type of ceramic particles which is nonmetallic and nonconductive. This is the most recent type of film and it’s proven that it’s worth it when it comes to reliability and performance. It will cut anywhere from 45% – 50% of solar heat entering through those windows as infrared light while giving you maximum visibility during night and day. Like the carbon film, this type of film lets cell phones, GPS systems and other types of devices to work correctly. It’s much better than other kinds when it comes to being fade and glare resistant and makes windows extremely resistant to shattering. This kind of film is also the most effective when it comes to blocking UV light, which is the light that help cause skin cancer and sunburn. It can block as much as 99% of these rays from coming into an interior.

When you are looking at window film and trying to figure out which one to choose, remember this information listed here and then choose the one that will help with getting the job done you need done. It can protect your family, your car or home’s interior and help your make your home or car a lot more comfortable in extreme weather.