The superior properties of ceramic window tint will boost comfort and visibility with less heat and glare.
In areas where the sun shines the brightest, window films provide one of the best upgrades for controlling cabin temps and warding off skin cancer when driving during the daytime. However, ceramic window tint is significantly more effective at blocking solar energy while appearing virtually clear or lightly tinted.
In effect, it simultaneously allows the most visible light through and shuts out a large percentage of the heat-producing infrared rays. How cool is that?
Nano-ceramic window tint formulations are gaining popularity because they keep the cabin cool without resorting to darker shades discouraged by law enforcement. Moreover, they are not as expensive as you might think. The cost difference between metallic dye and ceramic is close enough, such that some window tinting shops now only install the ceramic film.
Key Benefits of Nano-Ceramic Window Tint
- Nano-tech delivers superior infrared heat rejection while appearing virtually clear and reducing glare
- Reduces the risk of skin cancer and breakdown of interior materials by blocking harmful UV rays
- Will not interfere with cellphone, satellite, or GPS navigation signals
- Limited lifetime warranty offered by top-tier manufacturers
Ceramic Window Film Explained
Scientists use nanotechnology to formulate a layered film that reflects more longer-wavelength infrared energy while allowing shorter-wavelength visible light to pass through. Consequently, it elevates heat rejection without resorting to ultra-dark shades.
Nanoparticles of ceramic can block 99% of harmful UV radiation that can cause damage to the skin and break down the interior materials of your vehicle’s cabin, not to mention rejecting a fair amount of IR rays that warm the inside of your car.
For these reasons, the Skin Cancer Foundation approves all of the brands listed in this article for reducing the risks of basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma, and other types of scary-sounding cancerous skin growths.
“Ceramic is one of the earth’s most timeless insulators and heat-resistant materials,” said Steven Schroer, Sales & Marketing Manager for the Americas at Solar Gard. “Take those properties and bring them down to a size where they can impact and absorb a spectrum of non-visible light associated with heat, and you greatly reduce the thermal load inside your vehicle.”
The makers of this window film were successful at creating a formula to utilize nano-ceramic compounds for improved visibility and durability. Indeed, the films also have higher color stability and superior heat rejection properties in contrast to dyed and metalized window films. While the nano-tech in ceramic window films has been around for over a decade, a few manufacturers went back into the lab and developed newer formulations with better properties.
Reasons to Tint Your Windows Using Ceramic Film
- Comfort: Strong heat rejection reduces the load on AC and electrical systems on hot days. Energy conservation becomes especially important for EV and PHEV cars.
- Health: Block the sun’s harmful UV rays that age your skin and damage the interior materials of your car.
- Maximum visibility: Lighter shades can block more heat and allow excellent visibility at all times of the day and during rowdy weather conditions.
- Style: Enhance the look of your vehicle.
- There is less glare.
What Makes Ceramic Window Film Special?
- A non-metal formula that won’t block GPS navigation or electronic signals
- Resistant to discoloration and hazing
- Maximum IR rejection to block heat
- 99% UV-A and UV-B protection
- Glare reduction
- High-quality adhesive
- A film thickness of about 1.5 mil
- Limited lifetime warranty
Best Ceramic Window Tints
3M Ceramic IR
New & Improved
| IR 5 | IR 15 | IR 25 | IR 30 | IR 35 | IR 50 | IR 70 | |
| VLT * | 5% | 16% | 25% | 30% | 37% | 50% | 64% |
| TSER ** | 66% | 63% | 61% | 60% | 58% | 54% | 51% |
| IRR *** | 95% | 90% | 90% | 88% | 85% | 83% | 78% |
| UV Rejection ∞ | 99.9% | 99.9% | 99.9% | 99.9% | 99.9% | 99.8% | 99.6% |
| Glare Reduction | 93% | 78% | 65% | 59% | 49% | 32% | 12% |
| IRER ¥ | 67% | 67% | 67% | 67% | 67% | 66% | 66% |
XPEL PRIME XR PLUS
- 1.5 mil thickness, except XR Plus 70, which is 2 mil
- Blocks up to 98% of infrared heat and 99% of harmful UV rays
- Excellent clarity
- Will not interfere with GPS, Bluetooth, radio, or cellular signals
- Eight gradients of visible light rejection
- Film specs tested on 1/8″ glass at 1025nm
- Recommended by the Skin Cancer Foundation
| XR PLUS 5 | XR PLUS 15 | XR PLUS 20 | XR PLUS 30 | XR PLUS 35 | XR PLUS 45 | XR PLUS 55 | XR PLUS 70 | |
| VLT | 5% | 11% | 18% | 31% | 38% | 45% | 57% | 66% |
| TSER | 71% | 69% | 66% | 61% | 59% | 58% | 53% | 49% |
| IRR (1025nm) | 96% | 96% | 96% | 96% | 96% | 96% | 96% | 92% |
| UV Rejection | 99% | 99% | 99% | 99% | 99% | 99% | 99% | 99% |
| Glare Reduction | 95% | 88% | 80% | 66% | 58% | 51% | 37% | 27% |
| Fading Reduction | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
LLumar FormulaOne Stratos
- Six levels of darkness in a smoky-gray color
- No signal interference
- Durable scratch resistance
- Tested 780-2500nm according to NFRC guidelines and calculated for single pane 1/4″ (6mm) clear glass
- Made in the USA
- A transferable lifetime limited warranty is good for the vehicle’s life, even if ownership changes.
| Stratos 15 | Stratos 30 | Stratos 35 | Stratos 40 | Stratos 50 | Stratos 70 | |
| VLT | 17% | 32% | 39% | 42% | 56% | 69% |
| TSER | 63% | 59% | 58% | 57% | 54% | 49% |
| IRER | 66% | 66% | 67% | 67% | 67% | 66% |
| UV Rejection | >99% | >99% | >99% | >99% | >99% | >99% |
| Glare Reduction | 80% | 63% | 56% | 52% | 37% | 21% |
| Fading Reduction | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Hüper Optik Ceramic Series
| C5 | C15 | C20 | C30 | C35 | C40 | C45 | C50 | C60 | C70 | C85 | |
| VLT | 6% | 13% | 20% | 31% | 34% | 42% | 44% | 53% | 61% | 73% | 82% |
| TSER | 70% | 71% | 70% | 65% | 65% | 60% | 60% | 53% | 39% | 44% | 28% |
| IRR (1025nm) | 92% | 96% | 91% | 86% | 81% | 80% | 76% | 68% | 60% | 88% | 42% |
| UV Rejection | 99% | 99% | 99% | 99% | 99% | 99% | 99% | 99% | 99% | 99% | 99% |
| Glare Reduction | 93% | 85% | 77% | 66% | 62% | 54% | 51% | 41% | 33% | 19% | 9% |
| Fading Reduction | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Johnson Window Films InsulatIR
| IR 05 | IR 20 | IR 35 | IR 45 | IR 70 | IR 80 | IR 85 | CLEAR GLASS | |
| VLT | 6% | 17% | 32% | 42% | 66% | 76% | 82% | 88% |
| TSER | 56% | 54% | 50% | 46% | 50% | 42% | 31% | 18% |
| IRER | 56% | 55% | 55% | 55% | 64% | 55% | 43% | N/A |
| UV Rejection | >99% | >99% | >99% | >99% | >99% | >99% | >99% | N/A |
| Glare Reduction | 93% | 81% | 63% | 52% | 25% | 14% | 7% | 0% |
| Fading Reduction | 77% | 74% | 69% | 66% | 61% | 56% | 52% | N/A |
Solar Gard XenithIR
| XenithIR 5 | XenithIR 15 | XenithIR 30 | XenithIR 35 | XenithIR 45 | XenithIR 55 | XenithIR 70 | XenithIR 80 | |
| VLT | 5% | 15% | 30% | 38% | 45% | 56% | 67% | 76% |
| TSER | 64% | 63% | 60% | 59% | 56% | 51% | 50% | 44% |
| IRER | 64% | 65% | 66% | 65% | 65% | 63% | 64% | 61% |
| UV Rejection | 99% | 99% | 99% | 99% | 99% | 99% | 99% | 99% |
| Glare Reduction | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| Fading Reduction | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Suntek Evolve Series Ceramic Window Tint
- Featuring proprietary HeatResist ceramic technology
- Available in six shades
- IRER 65% | SIRR 94%
- Performs better than Ceramic IR
- The non-metal formula is signal-friendly
- Resistant to color change and scratches
- Effective solar energy wavelength spectrum 780-2500nm
- Data was captured using National Fenestration Rating Council’s (NFRC) guidelines and calculated for single pane, nominal ¼″ (6mm) clear glass
| EVOLVE 5 | EVOLVE 15 | EVOLVE 30 | EVOLVE 35 | EVOLVE 50 | EVOLVE 70 | |
| VLT | 5% | 13% | 32% | 39% | 47% | 64% |
| TSER | 65% | 63% | 58% | 57% | 55% | 51% |
| IRER | 65% | 65% | 65% | 64% | 65% | 66% |
| UV Rejection | >99% | >99% | >99% | >99% | >99% | >99% |
| Glare Reduction | 95% | 85% | 63% | 56% | 46% | 27% |
| Fading Reduction | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A | N/A |
