In the field of vehicle window tints, understanding the implications of different percentages – such as 5% vs 20% – is crucial. These percentages refer to the amount of light that a tint allows to pass through.
However, it’s worth noting that these darker tints, particularly 5% and 20%, are typically not suitable for windshields due to their darkness.
The question arises then, are these tints appropriate for your car windows? For a deeper look into the 5% vs. 20% tint debate, let’s dig into the article.
Read More: 50 vs. 35 Windshield Tint
5 vs. 20 Tint
5% Tint
Let’s begin with the darker tint. 5% tint lets only 5% of the light available in your environment. Since it’s so dark, it creates a blackout look which goes pretty well with any car. It will impose a limo-like touch of luxury on your car.
The privacy aspect also needs to be taken into consideration. If you put on 5% tint on the windows, you will completely stay out of view from the outside. So, you can spend some relaxed time on the back without having to worry about strangers staring at you from passing-by cars or the streets.
The dark tint also helps to keep your car safe. If you need to leave something valuable on your backseat, you can do that without the fear of people trying to break in and steal it. Since the interior will be invisible, it won’t prompt potential thieves to break in.
Under daylight or artificial light, a 5% tint should look very dark. However, the exact color might change based on the quality of the film. Better quality ones will appear darker, while the less expensive alternatives will look less opaque.
However, you need to look into your local car tint regulations. You can’t use 5% tint on any windows in many states. Some states allow 5% for back and rear window tints. If you are planning on cross-state driving, this is definitely not the best choice for you.
Read More: 2.5 Tint vs. 5
20% Tint
20% tint is a lighter shade than 5%, but it offers fairly dark windows since it restricts as much as 80% light access. It’s great for privacy, does a great job of bouncing off UV rays, and gives your vehicle a pretty stylish look.
Can you stay invisible to the outside world if you install 20% or 35% tint films? Mostly, yes. Even if someone lights a flashlight in front of the window, the interior will not be easily visible. Therefore, it’s ideal for maintaining the privacy of families and couples.
Since the interior is barely visible from the outside, you can leave your luggage, phones, computers, or other valuables on the backseat. A passer-by will not get tempted to break in since they won’t be able to see what’s inside.
How dark is 20% dark? A lot, actually. For this reason, you can’t put it on your front window and windshields. The driver’s on-road visibility will be reduced drastically. So, it’s a complete no-no for windshields. World great for side windows, though.
In terms of legality, you will get far more leeway than 5% tints. Most states allow the rear and back passenger windows to have 20% tints. So you will face less legal trouble installing 20% tinted films on your car windows.
Read More: Limo Tint vs. 5
5% Or 20% Tint: Which One Is Better?
The 20% tint is more sensible considering almost all aspects. Having said that, I can see the appeal for 5% tints. Many people love to have it for a limo tint. For limousines, the 5% tint appears more suitable.
While most of us would love more privacy, the law severely restricts the practicality of 5% tints. You can only have it in your car without breaking the law in select few states. The police might not always ask you to pull over, but if you get caught, you might have to pay hefty fines.
That’s a hassle I don’t feel comfortable putting up with, especially when I have legal alternatives available that are almost the same. The 20% tint is almost similar to the naked eye when it comes to darkness. It’s pretty difficult to tell them apart from the outside.
You get more light access without giving up much of your privacy. Therefore, you can get a better view through the window. The nighttime visibility is more or less the same in both, but you can expect the 20% tint to be more suitable for nocturnal drives.
Is 5% tint dark enough?
Yes, a 5% tint is very dark as it only allows 5% of light to pass through. It offers high privacy but may limit visibility and might not be legal in some regions. Always check local laws before deciding on a tint level.
What does 5% tint look like?
A 5% tint, also known as “limo tint,” is extremely dark, making windows look almost pitch black from outside and significantly reducing visibility from inside, similar to wearing dark sunglasses.
Final Opinion
In my 5 vs. 20 tint breakdown, I wanted to address the similarities between 5% and 20% tints. You are not getting a lot by moving to the lower tint percentage.
Why would you go through all the legal trouble for so little extra benefit? So, I will always side with the 20% tint whenever I get asked to pick between the two.
