Tinting Laws?!

Did you know there are laws created for tinting your automotive windows? Do you know your state's tinting law? Each state creates their own tinting laws regarding how much light must pass through the windows of every car. Colorado, for example, is an either/or state when it comes to tinting the windows of a car.  You can choose to either tint your windows behind the driver's seat as dark as you want, as long as the front driver and passenger windows have NO tint applied to them or you can tint all the windows, not including the windshield, to a maximum of 27 percent.  As a company, it is our responsibility to tell the customer what the tinting laws are for our state and even other states, if need be.  Since Colorado can be filled with transient people, we have had customers come to us and tint their windows with film that will comply with two different state laws.
    A statement that we commonly hear is, "how likely am I to be pulled over for having window film darker than the legal limit?"  We can not say that it is or isn't likely to happen because it can or can not happen.  In Colorado, we have heard that it is possible to receive tickets from 80 dollars to 300 dollars.  There could be fines for both the customer and business involved. However, if the tint adhered to the car is illegal,    All American Window Tinting, Inc. can remove the film from the windows in order for your car to be in compliance with the law.  There are also a few reasons to stay within the legal limit of tinting that extend beyond legal consequences. 

     There are times when customers choose a darker film than legal and have had problems seeing through their windows at night.  This does become a safety concern to the driver, those in the car and those outside of the car.  There is also the possibility that manufacturer's warranty may not apply to illegally tinted windows.  We often hear from customers that the legal percentage of window film is not dark enough or does not reject a lot of heat and this concern has been brought before manufacturers as well.  It is because of this concern that manufacturers are creating films that are light in tint shade and reject more heat than darker films.  These high performance films are making the way for cutting edge technologies that we hope to see in the window film industry.
    If you have any questions about tinting laws, please feel free to contact us at (303)936-1362 or come in see our samples!  At All American Window Tinting, our staff is equipped with years of knowledge and expert training to ensure that all your window needs and concerns are met.  We stand behind our work and promise to deliver only the highest of quality products with a professional installation that is sure to stand the test of time. 

Not Too Cool in School?

     With school back in session, there have been a few grumblings about the start of school. We've heard students not wanting to return to school, parents wondering why school hasn't started earlier, and teachers having mixed emotions about their new set of students. One common concern that we have heard across the city is the lack of air conditioning/cooling system in the schools. The sun's immense heat has plagued schools and with so many bodies in one building, it is no wonder why students and teachers alike are suffering in the heat. We can look at schools specifically, however this same concept can apply to any building that lacks a cooling system or even an effective one for that matter.
     It would be unreasonable to ask school districts to install an air conditioning system in every school due to the high costs. All the individuals in any given building, create body heat and with computers and other equipment operating, heat levels without a doubt, will rise. Window film offers a reasonable and cost efficient solution to such dilemmas. The film applied to the window can increase safety, save energy and enhance the appearance of your building. Our High-Performance films can protect interiors from fading, reduce glare on computer screens, and eliminate discomfort all around. 
     It is not necessary to have every window in the building tinted since the sun may not directly affect a certain side of the building. It is, however, necessary to consult a trained professional in order to ensure that all precautions/factors are taken into consideration. Generic bronze tinted glass that is most commonly seen, absorbs heat and re-radiates inward. Our goal is to use window film that will reflect that heat outwards. This in turn can reduce cooling bills and offer a more comfortable environment for those in the building.
     At All American Window Tinting, Richard Marti holds Master Accreditation through the International Window Film Association. He is the only individual to attain Master Accreditation in the state of Colorado. Only the industries best dealers and installers are those that are well informed and well versed in both theory and application of window film products. Contact us today for a free estimate or visit our website at www.allamericanwindowtinting.com for more information!

What Are You Putting On Your Windows?

Last week, we explored why tint shops carry so many different products and covered a few topics such as warranties and heat rejection properties (click here for last week's article). This week's article will explore what materials are used when creating window film and why there is even a difference. It was mentioned last week that one type of window film can not be applied to every window because of safety and/or efficiency. It is for this reason that different materials are used to create different films, and with technology advancing certain materials are taking the forefront.

Typically, most window film is a polyester film generally made of PET, Polyethylene Teraphthalate, the same polymer used to manufacture water bottles. Most films are applied to the interior surface of a glass window in a home, commercial building, or car, however some films are applied to the exterior surface of the glass window. A scratch resistant coating is adhered to the outer surface of the film for protection. Some are clear and feature multiple layers of PET to offer protection from shattering glass; others are tinted with metals, dyes or pigments to reduce the visible light transmitted through the glass, and block heat coming through from the sun (http://www.madico.com). Within the last decade, advancements have been made with a 'newer' type of film made out of ceramic. Huper Optik developed a ceramic film that is 100% metal and dye free. This type of film was created to provide a high performance heat, glare and UV light barrier. It will not break down and turn purple over time, like a dyed film, because there is no dye in the film that would cause fading.

At All American Window Tinting (A.A.W.T.) we carry products that we believe in and would put on our own cars, homes or office windows, AND we have! If you have any questions about our products, contact us today to find the RIGHT film for your car, residence or commercial business!