Ceramic vs carbon vs dyed window tint
All three come in the same shades. The difference is how much heat they block and how long they last.
| Ceramic | Carbon | Dyed | |
|---|---|---|---|
| What blocks the heat | Ceramic particles | Carbon particles | Dye |
| Heat rejection | Highest of the three | Medium | Lowest |
| Fades over time | No | No | Can fade and turn purple |
| Phone, GPS and radio signals | No effect | No effect | No effect |
| Price | Highest | Medium | Lowest |
Darkness and heat rejection are separate. A light ceramic film can block more heat than a dark dyed film. That matters in Nevada, where the front side windows must let through at least 35 percent of light.
Metalized films also block heat well, but the metal can interfere with phone, GPS and radio signals. Ceramic and carbon films have no metal.
Which one should you pick?
For a Las Vegas summer, ceramic is the one most people pick. It blocks the most heat at a legal shade.