Car window tinting offers a certain level of protection against the harmful effects of UV rays. Besides, changing window tints is one of the updates that make your car look expensive. Generally, window tinting involves adhesive solar sheets applied without removing the windows. It is an extremely quick and simple procedure. However, like most places, Dubai has certain laws regarding tinted car windows.
If you want to get your car windows tinted, read on to find out all about the procedure and legal requirements.
Car Window Tinting Laws in Dubai
All glass windows installed in vehicles have a slight tint to mitigate the effect of the harmful UV rays. You can hardly see it as it’s a very light tint, but look carefully in the daylight and you will notice a transition to a darker tint towards the upper side. However, if you want the tint for privacy and to protect yourself from scorching sun rays, you need to ensure that the glass isn’t completely opaque.
As per Circular No. 86 and Article No. 9 of the Traffic Law, vehicle window tinting is not allowed above 50% to the side and rear windows, while you can’t apply window tinting on the windscreen. The law was passed back in 2017, before that, only 30% of car window tinting was legal in the country, meaning it should be up to 70% visual light transparent (VLT). However, the rule doesn’t apply to trucks and taxis.
The decision of allowing below 50% tinting was made after considering the intense summer weather in the UAE. Therefore, it is important to choose a reliable and trusted car window tinting service to avoid any fines and penalties. Anyone caught violating the stipulated limit of 50% car tinting in Dubai will be charged AED 1500 as a fine. However, some car owners can also surpass the percentage if they take prior authorisation from the Roads and Transport Authority (RTA) or Dubai police.
Types of Car Window Tinting
As we have mentioned earlier, a good car window tint is quite effective in blocking heat radiation and UV rays. Depending on which type of tint you choose, it can have other properties such as thermal insulation.
Considering the climate of the UAE, owners prefer to install high-end window film on their vehicles. The following are some common types of car window tinting options available in Dubai, UAE.
Crystalline Window Tint
Crystalline window tinting is perfect for those who want to film their vehicle without making them dark. With multilayer optical film nanotechnology, 3M Crystalline film is one of the best tints for cars that can effectively block about 99.9% UV rays and 97% of infrared rays.
Polyethylene Terephthalate (Pet) Window Tint
Polyethylene Terephthalate (PET) is one of the most common car tints used in the UAE. The tint is made from thermoplastic polymer resin provides thermal insulation and helps in filtering out the UV rays. Besides, the tint also helps in reducing the excessive sun heat exposure that might cause tanning and other skin diseases.
Dyed Window Tint
Dyed film is a tint that has been dyed to a certain degree of hue. That type of tint film absorbs heat rather than blocking, and therefore, that heat is dissipated inside the vehicle. This option is relatively the least expensive window tint and has been known to fade, peel, and fail after a few months of use.
Hybrid Window Tint
Hybrid film is the most complicated of all the tints, as it contains both reflective dyes and metals. However, films can be non-reflective and let a good amount of light pass through the window. The tint is usually made with the fusion of titanium and grey dye which make it less dark from the outside and reflective. This kind of tint allows a necessary amount of darkness to maintain privacy while blocking the ultraviolet rays and heat.
Ceramic Window Tint
People looking for high-quality tint films can go with ceramic window tint. This tint contains ceramic particles that can block around 50% of solar heat and 99% of UV rays. The non-conductive and non-metallic properties of ceramic tints offer strong resistance to fading while protecting the glass from discolouration.
Car Window Tinting Cost in Dubai
How much does it usually cost to tint your car windows? If you are residing in Dubai the cost of window filming depends on the service centre you choose, the size of your car, tinting material and its brand. Just to give you an idea, here is the average cost of car window tinting in Dubai.
The window tinting begins from as low as AED 200 for a sedan and AED 300 for an SUV, while you can expect around AED 950 for a larger one. Similarly, the cost for a medium-size SUV is around AED 1,000 and a large SUV tinting cost is roughly AED 1,200.
Small sedan owners can get crystalline tints for around AED 1,600 and for large sedans, you will need around AED 1,800. On the other hand, crystalline tinting for large SUVs can roughly cost AED 2,000.
The car window tinting cost also depends on the material. For instance, the 3M tint can cost around AED 2,800 for a compact car. The average lifespan of the tints is at least 5 years; however, some tops brands offer a lifetime guarantee. Besides, you can also save the window tinting cost by tinting your car windows at home.
Advantages of Car Window Tints
Driving in the sun glare during extremely hot weather can be difficult; therefore, every car owner must know about auto window tinting benefits for the maintenance and safety of the vehicle. Below are some advantages of installing car window tint.
- According to the Skin Cancer Foundation, quality tints like the 3M window film can reduce 78% of the sun’s heat and the total Sun Protection Factor (SPF) of up to 1000.
- The tinted car windows prevent UV rays from passing into the car, so it is possible to have a more comfortable temperature in the cabin, especially in summer.
- Tinted windows are also an excellent way to keep upholstery and plastics inside the car in good condition for longer.
- During the summer season, tinting the car windows can reduce fuel consumption by minimising the need for air-conditioning.
- Another advantage of the tinted car window is privacy. A lot of people prefer travelling with complete privacy for various reasons.
- Changing the car windows to solar sheets can increase safety in the event of an accident. It can also prevent the glass from falling off when hit, saving occupants from further harm.
- Tinted car windows reduce glare from other vehicle’s at night.
Also, window tints lasts up to 10 years; however, extreme hot weather can damage them quickly. Thus, it is important to remove car window tints timely and properly.
FAQs
Why is more than 50% tinting not allowed in the UAE?
By reducing the passage of light, tinted windows also reduce visibility, which is why it is prohibited to have more than 50% car window tint in the UAE.
Do window tints tend to peel or damage?
Non-standard tints tend to peel, especially at the edges of the rear window. The original glass is usually screen printed.
For how long do tinted windows last?
Standard quality tints usually last for five years while tints made of high-quality polyester and ceramic can last up to 10 years.
What is the cost of car window tints in Dubai?
The window tinting begins from as low as AED 200 for a sedan and AED 300 for an SUV, while you can expect around AED 950 for a larger one.
This concludes our guide on car window tinting. It is better to spend more on a quality tint that will last for years instead of cheaper alternatives that might crack or peel within months. If you are looking for buying a used car in Dubai, don’t forget to get its windows tinted. For further updating in the interior and exterior of a car, you can also buy auto accessories from dubizzle.
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