{"id":4497,"date":"2021-07-03T05:39:47","date_gmt":"2021-07-02T19:39:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/tintkits.com.au\/?p=4497"},"modified":"2021-12-01T12:53:23","modified_gmt":"2021-12-01T02:53:23","slug":"window-tint-percentages","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/tintkits.com.au\/window-tint-percentages\/","title":{"rendered":"Quick Guide to Window Tint Percentages: VLT and Reflection Numbers"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>VLT and reflection percentages are the first thing that pops up whenever you hear about car or home window tinting.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>But don\u2019t let these abbreviations and numbers confuse you. It\u2019s easy to understand what they are and why they are important.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This easy guide to window tint percentages will let you in on everything you need to know!<\/p>\n\n\n<style>.kb-table-of-content-nav.kb-table-of-content-id_b0f7ad-01 .kb-table-of-content-wrap{padding-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-right:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-bottom:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);padding-left:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);}.kb-table-of-content-nav.kb-table-of-content-id_b0f7ad-01 .kb-table-of-contents-title-wrap{padding-top:0px;padding-right:0px;padding-bottom:0px;padding-left:0px;}.kb-table-of-content-nav.kb-table-of-content-id_b0f7ad-01 .kb-table-of-contents-title{font-weight:regular;font-style:normal;}.kb-table-of-content-nav.kb-table-of-content-id_b0f7ad-01 .kb-table-of-content-wrap .kb-table-of-content-list{font-weight:regular;font-style:normal;margin-top:var(--global-kb-spacing-sm, 1.5rem);margin-right:0px;margin-bottom:0px;margin-left:0px;}<\/style>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Window Tint Percentages: What They Are (and Why You Need Them)<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>As we said above, there are just two metrics you need to be aware of: VLT and reflection percentage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Combine those two and you\u2019ll easily figure out both the darkness of your tint and its reflectivity. (In plain English, the extent to which you can use it as a mirror.)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What Is VLT?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>VLT means <a href=\"https:\/\/www.energy.gov\/energysaver\/design\/windows-doors-and-skylights\/energy-performance-ratings-windows-doors-and\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Visible Light Transmittance<\/a>. That is, the amount of light that manages to pass through the window.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>In theory, it\u2019s measured on the scale from 0% to 100%. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, 0% and 100% don\u2019t exist in practice, simply because 0% would let zero light in, whereas 100% would let ALL the light in. That would beat the tint\u2019s purpose!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is Reflection Percentage?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"alignright size-large is-resized\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/tintkits.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Iridium_Ceramic_Window_Tint_35_VLT_front_and_rear.jpg\" alt=\"window tint percentages on a Tesla\" class=\"wp-image-4498\" width=\"360\" height=\"480\" srcset=\"https:\/\/tintkits.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Iridium_Ceramic_Window_Tint_35_VLT_front_and_rear.jpg 720w, https:\/\/tintkits.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Iridium_Ceramic_Window_Tint_35_VLT_front_and_rear-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/tintkits.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Iridium_Ceramic_Window_Tint_35_VLT_front_and_rear-700x933.jpg 700w, https:\/\/tintkits.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Iridium_Ceramic_Window_Tint_35_VLT_front_and_rear-45x60.jpg 45w, https:\/\/tintkits.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Iridium_Ceramic_Window_Tint_35_VLT_front_and_rear-68x90.jpg 68w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 360px) 100vw, 360px\" \/><figcaption>Here\u2019s what 35% VLT looks like on side windows and rear windscreen on a Tesla.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>Reflection or reflectivity percentage doesn\u2019t have to do with the amount of light that gets through the window, but the amount of light that doesn&#8217;t get absorbed but <strong>bounces off the surface<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example, if a tint\u2019s reflectivity is 100%, you can basically use this window as a mirror. When you look at it, all you see is your own reflection. You can\u2019t see through it!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Now, you can make your home windows reflective to your heart\u2019s content. The only concern here is what you like or don\u2019t like.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Your car, however, needs to comply with laws and regulations. And the regulations are pretty uniform in Australia when it comes to reflectivity. <strong>Wherever you live or travel to, you aren\u2019t allowed to go above 10%!<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is the Best Car Window Tint Percentage?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>There is no exact answer to this question. It will vary both on your needs and the legal restrictions in your area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Privacy will call for the lowest VLT that\u2019s legally available. Now, if you happen to own a registered commercial vehicle, you may go below the 15-35% VLT which is the minimum across Australia for the rear windows. In fact, you can go as low as 5%. That\u2019s almost impossible to see through!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Front side windows, however, are vital for the safety of everyone involved. So the nationwide limit is 35% VLT, and you can\u2019t go below that even with commercial vehicles.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Any other purpose (e.g. less glare or sunburn, less heat, more safety) won\u2019t require anything super dark on either windows. 35% VLT is just enough to eliminate the need for sunglasses and make your car\u2019s interior feel cool enough.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/tintkits.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Iridium_Ceramic_Window_Film_35_front_20_rear.jpg\" alt=\"window tint percentages for australia\" class=\"wp-image-4499\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/tintkits.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Iridium_Ceramic_Window_Film_35_front_20_rear.jpg 800w, https:\/\/tintkits.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Iridium_Ceramic_Window_Film_35_front_20_rear-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/tintkits.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Iridium_Ceramic_Window_Film_35_front_20_rear-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/tintkits.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Iridium_Ceramic_Window_Film_35_front_20_rear-700x525.jpg 700w, https:\/\/tintkits.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Iridium_Ceramic_Window_Film_35_front_20_rear-80x60.jpg 80w, https:\/\/tintkits.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Iridium_Ceramic_Window_Film_35_front_20_rear-120x90.jpg 120w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><figcaption>A common setup in most of Australia: 35% VLT for front windows, 20% VLT for rear windows<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>But what if you have a classic car that wouldn\u2019t look very good or authentic with darker tints?&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>No reason to suffer the dog days just because you\u2019re driving an old-timer! These days, you can get a very transparent tint (such as 75% VLT) that still won\u2019t let the UV and Infrared light in.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/tintkits.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Classic_Chevy_with_75_VLT_window_film.jpg\" alt=\"lower window tint percentages for classic cars\" class=\"wp-image-4500\" width=\"360\" height=\"480\" srcset=\"https:\/\/tintkits.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Classic_Chevy_with_75_VLT_window_film.jpg 720w, https:\/\/tintkits.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Classic_Chevy_with_75_VLT_window_film-225x300.jpg 225w, https:\/\/tintkits.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Classic_Chevy_with_75_VLT_window_film-700x933.jpg 700w, https:\/\/tintkits.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Classic_Chevy_with_75_VLT_window_film-45x60.jpg 45w, https:\/\/tintkits.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Classic_Chevy_with_75_VLT_window_film-68x90.jpg 68w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 360px) 100vw, 360px\" \/><figcaption>This Chevy wouldn\u2019t look good with 35% VLT! But you won\u2019t even notice that this one has a 75% VLT tint that protects its interior while preserving the looks.<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Legal Tint Percentages In Australia<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>If you\u2019ve made it to this point in the article, you already know one thing: not all window tints are legal. On the other hand, some tint percentages are only legal in certain parts of Australia and illegal elsewhere. And vice versa!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>So how to find your way through this legal conundrum?<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Take a look at <a href=\"https:\/\/tintkits.com.au\/window-tint-laws-in-australia\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">this article with a neat chart<\/a> that only takes a single look to figure out.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Or, if you don\u2019t want to risk anything, it\u2019s always safe to go with 35% VLT on any of your front or rear windows. The only exception is your windscreen, which can only be tinted at the top 10% of its surface, above the wipers. Also, reflectivity is allowed up to 10% anywhere except for NSW. So if you want to play it absolutely safe, don\u2019t choose a reflective tint.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What If My Windows Already Have Some Tint?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>This is a bit more complicated than tinting windows that weren\u2019t tinted by the manufacturer. But it\u2019s still no rocket science!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Two figures matter here.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The first one is your factory VLT percentage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>And the second one is the VLT percentage of the tint you\u2019d like to apply now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Multiply the two numbers and you\u2019ll figure out whether the result will comply with the standards.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For example: your factory VLT percentage is 75%, and you\u2019d like to apply another 50%. You\u2019ll end up with 37.5% VLT.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is the Best Home Window Tint Percentage?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/tintkits.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Home-window-tinting-Strathpine.jpg\" alt=\"window tint percentages for houses\" class=\"wp-image-4501\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" srcset=\"https:\/\/tintkits.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Home-window-tinting-Strathpine.jpg 800w, https:\/\/tintkits.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Home-window-tinting-Strathpine-300x225.jpg 300w, https:\/\/tintkits.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Home-window-tinting-Strathpine-768x576.jpg 768w, https:\/\/tintkits.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Home-window-tinting-Strathpine-700x525.jpg 700w, https:\/\/tintkits.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Home-window-tinting-Strathpine-80x60.jpg 80w, https:\/\/tintkits.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Home-window-tinting-Strathpine-120x90.jpg 120w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>At home, you can go absolutely wild with your tint. There are no restrictions and regulations, so the only two factors are your needs and personal preferences. (Head over <a href=\"https:\/\/tintkits.com.au\/tinted-house-windows-pros-and-cons\/\" target=\"_blank\" data-type=\"post\" data-id=\"4490\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">here<\/a> for the pros and cons of tinting your house windows!)<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>For boosting your family\u2019s privacy, go for 25% or less. But if you only want a house that\u2019s a bit cooler in the summer, 50% or 70% VLT will be just enough.&nbsp;<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Frequently Asked Questions<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">Can cameras see through tinted windows?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Cameras can see through tint just as much (or little) as you can! So unless your neighbour owns a specialised night vision camera, they won\u2019t be able to peek inside your car or home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, it also means that your own security camera won\u2019t be able to see through the tint from the inside. Some varieties of dome cameras can solve this problem though!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is the most common window tint percentage for a car?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>Across all of Australia, the most common percentage is 35% for front side windows and 20% for the rear side and rear windows.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>However, \u201cmost common\u201d doesn\u2019t mean universal. You know the old adage: check your laws before you tint!<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h3 class=\"wp-block-heading\">What is the most common window tint percentage for a home?<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<p>There are no laws on that account! But that doesn\u2019t mean you\u2019ll see ALL options. The most common percentage is 30-35%, which goes a bit down on bedroom windows.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>VLT and reflection percentages are the first thing that pops up whenever you hear about car or home window tinting. But don\u2019t let these abbreviations and numbers confuse you. It\u2019s easy to understand what they are and why they are important. This easy guide to window tint percentages will let you in on everything you&#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":4506,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_kad_blocks_custom_css":"","_kad_blocks_head_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_body_custom_js":"","_kad_blocks_footer_custom_js":"","_kadence_starter_templates_imported_post":false,"_kad_post_transparent":"","_kad_post_title":"","_kad_post_layout":"","_kad_post_sidebar_id":"","_kad_post_content_style":"","_kad_post_vertical_padding":"","_kad_post_feature":"","_kad_post_feature_position":"","_kad_post_header":false,"_kad_post_footer":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[118,119,120],"tags":[],"taxonomy_info":{"category":[{"value":118,"label":"Tinting 101"},{"value":119,"label":"Car Tinting"},{"value":120,"label":"House Tinting"}]},"featured_image_src_large":["https:\/\/tintkits.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Strip_and_tint_Iridium_Ceramic_35_VLT_window_tint_film.jpg",960,720,false],"author_info":{"display_name":"Jelena Ciric","author_link":"https:\/\/tintkits.com.au\/author\/jelena\/"},"comment_info":0,"category_info":[{"term_id":118,"name":"Tinting 101","slug":"tinting-101","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":118,"taxonomy":"category","description":"","parent":0,"count":2,"filter":"raw","cat_ID":118,"category_count":2,"category_description":"","cat_name":"Tinting 101","category_nicename":"tinting-101","category_parent":0},{"term_id":119,"name":"Car Tinting","slug":"car-tinting","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":119,"taxonomy":"category","description":"","parent":0,"count":3,"filter":"raw","cat_ID":119,"category_count":3,"category_description":"","cat_name":"Car Tinting","category_nicename":"car-tinting","category_parent":0},{"term_id":120,"name":"House Tinting","slug":"house-tinting","term_group":0,"term_taxonomy_id":120,"taxonomy":"category","description":"","parent":0,"count":2,"filter":"raw","cat_ID":120,"category_count":2,"category_description":"","cat_name":"House Tinting","category_nicename":"house-tinting","category_parent":0}],"tag_info":false,"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"jetpack_featured_media_url":"https:\/\/tintkits.com.au\/wp-content\/uploads\/2021\/07\/Strip_and_tint_Iridium_Ceramic_35_VLT_window_tint_film.jpg","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/tintkits.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4497"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/tintkits.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/tintkits.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tintkits.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tintkits.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4497"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/tintkits.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4497\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":4523,"href":"https:\/\/tintkits.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/4497\/revisions\/4523"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tintkits.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/4506"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/tintkits.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4497"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tintkits.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=4497"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/tintkits.com.au\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=4497"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}