When it comes to protecting your passengers from the harsh sun and keeping your car's interior cool, two popular options come to mind: Snap Shades and Car Window Tinting. Both offer a variety of benefits, but choosing the right one depends on your needs and preferences. In this post, we will break down the key differences between Snap Shades and car window tinting to help you make an informed decision.
What are Snap Shades?
Snap Shades are custom-fit, magnetic car window shades designed to block harmful UV rays while providing privacy and keeping the car's interior cool. These shades are easily attachable and detachable, without any permanent modifications to your car's windows. They are specifically designed for each vehicle's make and model, offering maximum coverage and a seamless look.
What is Car Window Tint?
Window tint refers to a thin layer of film applied to the windows of a vehicle. The film helps reduce the amount of sunlight that enters the car, minimizing glare and harmful UV rays. Car tint can range from clear to very dark and is available in different grades depending on how much light and heat you want to block. Tinting is a permanent or semi-permanent solution, as removing it typically involves professional assistance.
1. Installation and Removal
- Snap Shades: The standout feature of Snap Shades is their simplicity. They use embedded magnet and can be installed in seconds. No professional help is required, and you can remove or reattach them anytime—making them ideal for people who want flexibility.
- Window Tint: Tinting requires professional installation to avoid bubbles or imperfections, and removing it can be costly and time-consuming. Once applied, it is a permanent or semi-permanent solution.
2. UV Protection
- Snap Shades: Snap Shades block up to 84.6% of harmful UV rays, which is more than sufficient for everyday protection. For families with kids or pets, the convenience of having sun protection in the backseats is invaluable.
- Window Tint: High-quality window tint can block up to 99% of UV rays. However, not all tints offer this level of UV blocking; the effectiveness depends on the grade and quality of the tint film used.
3. Heat and Glare Reduction
Snap Shades: Snap Shades block a significant amount of sunlight, helping to reduce heat and glare, particularly in the rear seats. Their custom-fit design provides maximum sun protection, offering a cooler environment and relief from direct sunlight for passengers.
Window Tint: Window tint can cover all windows, reflecting solar energy and reducing glare throughout the car. It helps maintain a comfortable interior temperature while minimizing glare.
4. Aesthetics and Vehicle Appearance
- Snap Shades: Snap Shades are designed to fit each car model precisely, giving your vehicle a clean and sleek look. While they are visible from inside the car, they don’t alter the overall appearance of your windows from the outside.
- Window Tint: Tint is a seamless addition to your vehicle, giving it a uniform look. Depending on your preference, the level of darkness can greatly enhance the visual appeal of your car. Tint laws vary from state to state and country to country, with regulations governing the level of darkness allowed on your windows.
5. Privacy
Snap Shades: Snap Shades are custom-fit, removable shades that offer privacy primarily for rear-seat passengers, significantly blocking visibility from the outside while still allowing passengers to see out. They provide flexible privacy when needed without permanently altering the windows.
Window Tint: Tint generally darkens all windows applied on, offering constant privacy for the entire vehicle, including the front seats if applied on front door windows. The level of privacy depends on the darkness of the tint, though it may be subject to legal restrictions.
Both Snap Shades and Window Tint have distinct strengths, and the best choice depends on your individual needs and preferences. However, they don’t need to be an either-or choice—Snap Shades and Window Tint can actually complement each other. Snap Shades offers flexibility, especially for rear-seat passengers and situations where you may want to adjust the level of or sun protection and privacy on the go and is a great addition to any car with window tint already applied as it offers additional UV protection as well as help to filter light and glare.Â
Please note: Visibility out of windows does differ for everyone and depends on a variety of factors including but not limited to: angle looking out, tinting and lighting/weather conditions. Snap Shades should be removed when vision is impaired.
