Car Sunshades and Tinted Windows: What You Need to Know

If you’ve got tinted windows in your car, you might be wondering whether you still need to use a car sunshade. While tinted windows can offer some protection from the sun’s harmful rays, they don’t provide complete coverage. Whether you’re looking to enhance your vehicle’s comfort, protect its interior, or ensure the safety of your passengers, using a sunshade in addition to tinted windows is a smart choice. In this blog, we’ll explore the relationship between car sunshades and tinted windows, and provide tips on how to maximise protection and comfort in your vehicle.

How Tinted Windows Help with Sun Protection

Tinted windows are a popular choice for many car owners due to their ability to block out some of the sun’s heat and harmful UV rays. However, it’s important to understand the limitations of window tinting and why adding a car sunshade could be beneficial.

1. UV Protection and Heat Reduction

Tinted windows are designed to reduce the amount of UV radiation that enters your car, protecting your skin and reducing the heat inside the vehicle. In Australia, where the sun can be intense, tinting can significantly lower the temperature inside your car and provide a layer of protection from the UV rays.

However, tinted windows don’t block 100% of the UV rays. They usually block around 99%, but a small percentage still gets through. Additionally, the heat can still build up in the car, especially on days when your car is parked under direct sunlight for an extended period.

2. Privacy and Glare Reduction

Tinted windows also offer increased privacy by reducing the visibility inside the vehicle, which can be a great security feature. They also help reduce glare from the sun, improving driving visibility and comfort. While this can make a significant difference during daytime driving, it’s not always enough to protect your car’s interior or keep it cool when parked.

Why You Should Still Consider Using a Car Sunshade

While tinted windows do offer protection, car sunshades provide additional benefits that tinted windows alone cannot fully deliver. Here’s why you should consider using a sunshade in addition to your tinted windows:

1. Enhanced UV Protection

Even with tinted windows, your car is still exposed to UV rays through the windscreen. UV radiation can cause damage to the dashboard, seats, and steering wheel, leading to fading, cracking, and deterioration over time. A windshield sunshade offers full protection from the sun’s rays, keeping the interior of your car cooler and preventing damage to your car’s interior.

2. Prevents Overheating

Tinted windows can help cool your car slightly, but they don’t provide the same level of temperature reduction as a sunshade. The inside of a car can heat up quickly when parked in direct sunlight, even if your windows are tinted. A sunshade can help keep the interior temperature significantly lower, reducing the risk of heat damage to your car and keeping it more comfortable for you and your passengers.

3. Improves Comfort

Without a sunshade, your car’s seats, steering wheel, and other surfaces can get extremely hot under the sun. Even with tinted windows, this discomfort remains, especially if you’ve parked for a while. Using a sunshade can keep your car’s interior cooler, making it more comfortable to get into and drive, especially during the hot summer months.

What You Should Do If You Want a Sunshade in a Tinted Car

If you already have tinted windows, you might be wondering how to incorporate a sunshade into your vehicle without interfering with the aesthetics or functionality of the tint. Here are some helpful tips:

1. Choose the Right Type of Sunshade

When selecting a sunshade, it’s important to pick one that complements your tinted windows. A custom-fit sunshade is ideal because it fits perfectly against your car’s windscreen, providing complete coverage. There are also foldable sunshades that are easy to install and remove, which is a convenient option for many drivers.

If you’re using a sunshade on the side windows, ensure that it’s designed to work with tinted windows. Some car sunshades are specifically made for tinted cars, offering the right balance between coverage and visibility.

2. Consider Using External Sunshades

For even better heat reduction, consider using external sunshades that block the sun before it hits your car’s glass. These are often more effective than internal sunshades because they prevent the sun from entering the vehicle in the first place. External sunshades also help protect your tinted windows from heat-related damage, ensuring they maintain their effectiveness over time.

3. Don’t Overdo It

While car sunshades are incredibly effective, it’s essential not to block too much of your vehicle’s windows if you already have tinting. The combination of heavy tinting and an overly large or opaque sunshade could negatively impact your visibility while driving. Always choose sunshades that are designed for your car’s make and model, and ensure that they don’t interfere with your ability to see out of the car.

Are Tinted Windows Enough?

In short, tinted windows provide a solid level of UV and heat protection, but they’re not a complete solution. Adding a car sunshade can enhance the benefits of your tinted windows, offering more protection for your car’s interior and improving your comfort during those hot Australian summers. Combining both features ensures that your car stays cooler, safer, and more comfortable, whether you're parked or driving.

Final thoughts?

When it comes to protecting your car’s interior and keeping your vehicle comfortable in the heat, car sunshades and tinted windows work hand-in-hand. While tinted windows offer great UV protection and help reduce heat, sunshades provide extra coverage that significantly improves temperature control and safeguards your car’s interior. Whether you’re looking to enhance the benefits of your tinted windows or simply want to keep your car cooler and more comfortable, using a sunshade is a small investment with big returns.