Today’s question comes from Denise, who asked us if infrared reflecting auto glass has a distinctive color or tint, or if it’s the same color as a regular windshield.
The answer is that it depends.
Most people don’t think about it, but in almost all cases your car’s windshield or windscreen has tint to it already. While usually blue or green, it can sometimes be bronze in color as well. If you want to verify that your windshield is tinted, just take a piece of white paper and press it against the windshield. When viewed from the other side, you’ll be able to see the tint that was added when the glass was made. This tint cuts down on glare, and helps prevent your vehicle from overheating.
Infrared reflecting auto glass is getting more and more attention thanks to the California Air Resources Board (CARB), which recently set some new guidelines on the reflective properties of auto glass. IR reflecting glass can cut down on the interior temperature of your car by five to ten degrees, and that means in the summer you run your air conditioner less. If you run your AC less, you burn less fuel, and thereby reduce smog causing emissions.
Estimates vary, with some suggesting that this requirement will add about $250 to the price of a new vehicle. Like many things, this cost is expected to come down as production goes up. The fact of the matter is this: The auto glass with IR film does pay for itself over time through reduced gasoline usage.
Back to Denise’s question. The chemicals used to reflect the IR wavelength of light should not alter the appearance of your car’s glass. If added as an after-market film, the manufacturer may add more than just IR reflecting capabilities, so you can end up with a film that is polarized, UV reflecting, IR reflecting, and tinted bronze or gray in color.
Read more from James Lee.
In 2009 he joined TGSC Group as the managing director of product development. James brings expertise in customer satisfaction and service delivery to the team. He guest blogs for TeleGlass and is an amateur photographer. Find him on Twitter @jronaldlee.
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