Should sunroofs generally be tinted?
3 Answers
Sunroofs are generally not tinted, as not tinting them has no significant impact. This is because car sunroofs inherently provide some level of heat insulation and UV protection. However, for larger panoramic sunroofs, the built-in UV protection alone is often insufficient, necessitating the application of a tint film on the panoramic sunroof. Tinting can also offer a certain degree of explosion-proof protection, as glass is relatively fragile compared to metal in terms of hardness. Installed on the roof of a vehicle, a sunroof effectively promotes air circulation inside the car, allowing fresh air to enter. Additionally, it enhances visibility and meets the needs for mobile photography and videography. Car sunroofs can be broadly categorized into: sliding-out, built-in, built-in flip-up, panoramic, and curtain types, primarily installed on commercial SUVs, sedans, and other vehicle models.
The decision to tint a sunroof really depends on the situation. When I bought my car, I also struggled with this issue. Later, I realized that the material should be considered first: tinting a regular tempered glass sunroof is indeed effective, blocking nearly 50% of the heat in summer, making the drive less scorching overhead. However, if it's factory-installed dark privacy glass or laminated heat-insulating glass, which is already equivalent to SPF50+ sunscreen, adding a tint film would just be a waste of money. My SUV has a panoramic sunroof, and I tried driving on the highway without tinting—I had to lower the air conditioning by two degrees to feel comfortable. But it's important to note that aftermarket tinting might affect the sunroof's drainage holes. My neighbor experienced leakage half a year after tinting, costing over 800 yuan to fix. Nowadays, the new ceramic films are thin and lightweight, not affecting the mechanical structure, but they start at 2,000 yuan—whether it's worth it depends on your budget.
Whether to install a sunroof film depends on your driving habits. When I drove a taxi and was exposed to the sun all day, the sunroof film did lower the temperature by four or five degrees, even eliminating the need for a sunshade. However, after switching to a private car used only in the city, I found the film's effect was less noticeable, especially in northern cities where the air conditioning is sufficient. Many cars now come with UV-protected glass, so a film might only block a bit more infrared. Families with children might consider it, though. Last time I took my nephew out, he kept complaining about the glare without the film, but after applying a light-colored metallic film, it was much better. Also, remember not to choose dark films as they can obstruct your view when reversing at night—I learned this the hard way.
