Nowadays, there are many types of tinting film. However, some of them do not correspond to the current law. According to technical regulations, driving a car with a light transmittance of the front windows below the established limit is forbidden. This rule ensures the safety of driving at night and under poor visibility conditions. However, tinting windows have more advantages than disadvantages. You can use an athermal film to make care travels more comfortable and comply with all the requirements of technical regulations.
Contents
- What is an athermal film and what is it for
- Athermal film features
- Athermal film advantages
- How to choose a film
- Color selection features
- Film light transmittance
- Service life
What is an athermal film and what is it for
An athermal film is a special tinting film. It helps protect a car interior and passengers from the solar radiation and heat. The athermal film is almost invisible; it does not arouse suspicion of traffic police officers. When measuring the actual transmittance, the film, as a rule, meets the requirements.
Tinting with an athermal film solves two problems at once. First, it has a sun protection function: it mitigates the effect of sunlight without impairing the sensitivity of the driver's retina. Secondly, the film prevents the interior heating and also protects it: leather does not dry out and does not crack, fabric does not burn out, plastic elements do not deteriorate due to UV exposure.
Athermal film features
The athermal film serves as a filter for the invisible range of light waves. Usually, the interior heats up more due to exposure to UV and infrared light. Consequently, if it does not go inside the cabin, the car interior will be much less heated. Visibility will be practically unaffected.
Athermal films are produced using special technologies. They have several layers, each of them absorbing harmful radiation. Altogether, these layers almost eliminate UV waves and nearly half of the infrared ones. High-quality films prevent more than 90% of thermal radiation from entering the interior.
Athermal film advantages
The advantages of the athermal film can be attributed to the fact that it:
- Does not allow the car interior heating. Your trip will be comfortable with an athermal film. Besides, you can reduce fuel consumption for air conditioning.
- Retains heat. The film reduces thermal conductivity between the glass and the film. Due to this, the film keeps the heat inside the car in the cold season.
- Protects wooden, plastic, leather elements from fading.
- In most cases, it meets the requirements and the traffic regulations.
- Does not interfere with GPS operation and does not block the radio waves.
- Does not distort the windshield projection.
How to choose a film
Athermal films from different manufacturers differ in terms of manufacturing technology and properties. That is why when buying a film, it is essential to pay attention to the:
- way of installation on the glass;
- level of light transmittance;
- color of the film;
- service life.
As a rule, high-quality films are more expensive. However, they will protect the interior much better maintaining a high level of light transmittance.
Color selection features
Today, manufacturers offer films in a wide variety of shades. Greenish and bluish films are in the greatest request, but you can also find products in brown, pink, purple, black, and other colors. There is also a chameleon film, which shade changes depending on the viewing angle, light, and glass bending.
When choosing a film, you should pay attention to one of the signature features, and that is invisibility. Be aware that a brightly colored film can attract the attention of traffic police officers.
Film light transmittance
Light transmittance – is one of the most important indicators of a high-quality athermal film. According to the technical regulations, the light transmittance for the front side windows shall be at least 70%, for the windshield - 75%. However, a car with such a film will arouse the suspicion of the traffic police. This is because the film is not 100%, but about 75-90% transparent. For example, you have installed a film with the light transmittance of 80% on the glass that transmits 90% of light. The result is calculated as the product of the film and the glass transmittance factors: 0.8 x 0.9 = 0.72 (72%). This is acceptable for the side front windows but not for the windshield.
That is why it is essential to consider the car windows transmittance when choosing a film. It is recommended to measure this indicator in advance. Windows often have factory tinting. It must also be considered in the calculations.
Service life
The athermal film service life is significantly affected by the materials and manufacturing technology. High-quality films retain their properties throughout the life cycle declared by the manufacturer. Some can be used for up to 7 years.
