What Type of Window Tint Lasts the Longest?

If you're looking for the best window tinting that will last the longest for your car, there are a few main types to choose from, and each style has its individual advantages and disadvantages.

Learn more about the different types of window tints that can be applied to your vehicle and how they stack up against one another in terms of lifespan and longevity.

Dyed Window Tint

Dyed window tint is a type of privacy film that gives your car windows a dark, charcoal colour. This type of window film is callous and durable, which makes it the ideal choice for an all-around tinting solution.

Pros:

It's the most durable type of privacy film, maintained over time without sustaining damage.
It provides high levels of privacy and can be used to achieve tightness in both the horizontal and vertical directions.
It offers high levels of heat rejection and UV protection.

Cons:

It's more expensive than other privacy film types. However, dyed window tint is still a reasonably priced window tinting solution overall.

Metalized Window Tint

Unlike dyed window tint, metalized window tint isn't dyed at all. Instead, the film comprises a pattern of metallic, reflective dots. In the sun, these dots reflect light at all angles and create a mirror-like appearance.

This shiny look makes your car's windows less noticeable from any angle and adds style to your vehicle's appearance.

Pros:

It will darken your windows less than other privacy film types will.
It's the least expensive type of decorative window tinting film available.

Cons:

The mirror-like image created by this type of window tint can wear down over time, especially if your car's exterior is subject to road debris and wear and tear.
If you don't like how the metalized window tint glass looks, to begin with, chances are you won't like the way it looks decreases over time either.

Hybrid Window Tint

Hybrid window tint is a combination of metallic, mirrored dots and coloured pigments. The metallic reflections create the mirror-like look of metalized window tint, and the colouring helps darken the areas you don't want to see through your windows. This process creates a translucent appearance while still offering high levels of privacy protection.

Pros:

It's a durable tinting solution that can last several years.
It provides high levels of UV protection and heat rejection.

Cons:

It's less effective at blocking light than dyed window tint.
It's a much more expensive option than metalized window tint.

Carbon Window Tint

Carbon window tint is a decorative film made of carbon particles held together by an ultraviolet sealant. It has a carbon-like appearance, and it can give your vehicle windows a black colour. This type of tint makes your car windows look black, but it still provides the same level of privacy as other types of window tint.

Pros:

It's extremely durable, as it can last for several years without showing any signs of wear in high-traffic areas.
It gives your car windows a subtle, carbon-like appearance.

Cons:

It's extremely expensive to purchase.
In most cases, it can't be used to darken your car windows. In fact, it tends to lighten your vehicle's appearance overall.

Crystalline Tinting

The crystalline tint is a type of window film that has crystallized crystals embedded in the film. Most of it has a clear appearance, but you can also get reflective crystalline window tint that makes your car windows look like they have a metallic lustre.

This type of tint comes in many different colours and can be used on any kind of vehicle. When combined with an LED light treatment, it creates the illusion that your vehicle's windows are covered with blue light.

Pros:

It's a durable tinting solution that lasts for years.
This window tint can be used to achieve very tight horizontal and vertical levels of darkness. It also performs very well in terms of providing privacy, so you can use it to block the view of anyone standing outside your car.
It gives your car windows a reflective metallic lustre that adds style to your vehicle's appearance.
Some crystalline window tint is elastic, making it a forgiving type of privacy film as far as minor scratches and cracking go.

Cons:

The blue light created by this tinting can be distracting during normal driving since it can reduce visibility at night.
It's a very expensive option in terms of window tinting costs.

It's hard to top-dyed window tint in terms of how long it lasts and how much privacy it provides. However, it's not the most attractive option. If you're looking for a more attractive window tinting solution that still lasts a long time, metalized window tint is a great option to consider. If you want to see your car windows in any colour other than black or grey, a hybrid type might be the best window tinting for your needs.