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By: Myths & Facts About Tinting Windshields vs. Side Windows
For vehicle owners looking to enhance their car’s appearance, comfort, and protection, window tinting is one of the most popular upgrades. It adds a sleek aesthetic, offers vital UV protection, and significantly reduces interior heat. However, when comparing the front windshield to the side windows, the rules, the risks, and the technology are drastically different.
A common lack of understanding leads to fines, safety issues, and wasted money. The distinction is critical, primarily due to strict Canadian regulatory requirements. If you are considering this upgrade, you need to understand not just the benefits, but the very real limitations imposed by Window Tinting Laws Canada.
The Fundamental Difference: Construction and Safety
Before discussing aftermarket tint, it’s essential to understand how windshields and side windows are built. This is the root of most of the legal and technical differences.
1. The Windshield: Laminated Safety Glass (AS-1)
The front windshield is the most crucial piece of glass in your vehicle. It is constructed from laminated safety glass, consisting of two layers of glass with a polyvinyl butyral (PVB) plastic layer sandwiched in between.
Safety Function: When the windshield breaks, the PVB interlayer holds the shattered glass in place, preventing fragmentation and maintaining the structural integrity of the roof in a rollover accident. It also provides the critical surface needed for airbag deployment to work correctly.
Legal Rating: Windshields are marked “AS-1,” meaning they meet the highest safety standard, allowing maximum visibility and light transmission, as required by the Canadian Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (CMVSS) No. 205. Any film applied over this glass is treated with extreme caution by regulators because it risks compromising this safety function and, more importantly, the driver’s visibility.
2. Side and Rear Windows: Tempered Safety Glass (AS-2/AS-3)
Most side and rear windows are made of tempered safety glass.
Safety Function: This glass is heat-treated to be much stronger than regular glass. When tempered glass breaks, it shatters into thousands of small, granular pieces rather than sharp shards. This allows occupants to escape in an emergency.
Legal Rating: Side windows are typically marked “AS-2” (front side) or “AS-3” (rear side), which allows for slightly different light transmission minimums in their factory state, but still must adhere to provincial VLT limits for aftermarket film.
The Legal Landscape: Why Windshield Tinting is Virtually Banned
The primary reason for the clear division between windshield and side window tinting is visibility and safety, especially for law enforcement during traffic stops. This is codified through Window Tinting Laws Canada, which vary by province but share a universal caution regarding the primary line of sight.
Fact: Full Windshield Aftermarket Tint is Illegal in Ontario
The absolute fact for drivers in Ontario (where A5 Tint operates) is simple: Aftermarket tinting film is strictly prohibited on the main viewing area of the front windshield.
The only exception allowed is a non-reflective tint strip, often called a “sun strip” or “eyebrow,” that can be applied to the top portion of the windshield.
Ontario Limit: The film cannot extend more than 75 millimeters (3 inches) from the top edge of the windshield or below the AS-1 line (usually marked on the glass).
VLT Requirement: Even this strip often must comply with the 70% VLT rule if it overlaps with the critical viewing area, though most high-quality shops apply a band outside of this area for glare reduction.
The Ontario Highway Traffic Act explicitly prohibits the use of any material on the windshield that substantially obscures the driver’s view or the interior of the vehicle. For most law enforcement agencies, any full-coverage film on the windshield, regardless of its lightness, is a clear violation.
Fact: Front Side Windows Must Maintain 70% VLT
Front side windows are regulated strictly in Ontario. They are crucial for a driver’s peripheral vision and for police to be able to clearly view occupants inside the vehicle.
Ontario Front Side Window Rule: The law dictates that the windows directly to the left and right of the driver must not be coated with any material that “substantially obscures the interior.” For safety and inspection purposes (specifically relating to vehicles manufactured after January 1, 2017), this generally translates to a minimum Visible Light Transmission (VLT) of 70%. This means only 30% of light can be blocked.
Rear Windows: For side windows behind the driver and the rear windshield, there are typically no VLT restrictions, provided the vehicle is equipped with working left and right external rear-view mirrors. This is where drivers can choose darker tints for maximum privacy and sun rejection.
Understanding these provincial rules is paramount to remaining compliant with Window Tinting Laws Canada. Penalties for non-compliance can range from substantial fines (often $85-$500) to immediate orders requiring the film to be removed on the spot.
Debunking 5 Major Window Tinting Myths
The legal complexities and technological advancements have given rise to several myths about automotive tinting.
Myth 1: “I can tint my full windshield if I use a 70% VLT ceramic film.”
Fact: False, at least in Ontario. While a 70% VLT film is virtually clear to the naked eye and would allow the legally required amount of light through, the law prohibits the application of aftermarket film on the main viewing area entirely. The Window Tinting Laws Canada focus on the material being applied, not just the resulting VLT percentage. The exception is New Brunswick, which is one of the few provinces to allow full windshield tint at 70% VLT. However, as an Ontario-based company, we prioritize compliance with the local, stricter regulations.
Myth 2: “A darker tint (like 5% VLT) will always reject more heat than a lighter tint (like 70% VLT).”
Fact: False. This is the single biggest misconception about modern tint technology. Traditional dyed or metallic films rely on darkness to block heat. Modern ceramic coating films, using advanced nano-technology, are designed to reject Infrared Radiation (IR)—the invisible source of heat—regardless of visible light transmission (VLT). You can apply a clear (70%-80% VLT) ceramic film to your front side windows to comply with the 70% VLT limit while achieving 90%+ IR rejection, which is often better than a dark, non-ceramic 20% VLT film.
Myth 3: “Window tinting can void my vehicle’s warranty.”
Fact: Mostly false. Reputable tint shops use non-metallic, modern films that do not interfere with electronics (like GPS, satellite radio, or key fobs). Furthermore, by law, a manufacturer cannot void your entire warranty simply because you had an aftermarket accessory installed, unless they can prove the accessory caused the damage. If you use a quality, non-metallic film and a reputable installer like A5 Tint, the risk to your warranty is negligible.
Myth 4: “I can get a medical exemption to use dark front window tint in Ontario.”
Fact: Highly unlikely. Unlike many US states, most Canadian provinces, including Ontario, do not offer medical exemptions for private passenger vehicles to exceed the legal VLT limits. While some provinces or territories might have obscure provisions, the general approach is that safety and visibility are non-negotiable legal standards. If you have a severe UV sensitivity (Porphyria, Lupus), your best and safest legal option is to apply a high-quality 70% VLT ceramic film, which will block over 99.9% of harmful UV rays without violating the law.
Myth 5: “Tinting is just for appearance and heat.”
Fact: Tinting is a safety and protective measure.
UV Protection: High-quality films block 99.9% of UV-A and UV-B rays, protecting your skin from cancer and preventing your dashboard and interior materials from fading and cracking.
Shatter Resistance: In an accident, the film holds shattered side window glass together, preventing tiny pieces from flying into the cabin and providing an extra layer of protection, similar to Paint Protection Film (PPF) protecting your paint.
Glare Reduction: Tinting drastically reduces harsh glare, reducing eye strain and increasing driving safety during sunrise and sunset.
The Professional Approach: Choosing the Right Film
The difference between a legal, high-performance tint job and an illegal one comes down to professional expertise and the type of film used. Given the stringency of Window Tinting Laws Canada, especially the mandatory 70% VLT for front side windows, choosing the right film is critical.
At A5 Tint, we specialize in high-grade films that allow our clients to maximize comfort and protection while remaining fully compliant with Window Tinting Laws Canada.
Ceramic Technology: The Legal Advantage
For front side windows, where VLT is restricted, ceramic film is the only practical solution. Since modern ceramic films isolate and reject IR heat, they allow you to achieve near-total heat rejection and UV protection with a virtually clear film. This adheres to the 70% VLT standard while providing comfort traditionally associated only with darker tints.
Extending Protection Beyond Glass
While window tinting is a fantastic way to protect your interior, modern vehicle care extends to full exterior defense. We highly recommend complementing your premium window film with our other protective services, ensuring your entire vehicle is covered:
Paint Protection Film (PPF): A clear, self-healing film applied to the body panels to guard against rock chips, scratches, and road debris.
Ceramic Coating: A liquid polymer applied to the exterior that chemically bonds with the factory paint, creating a protective layer that provides superior gloss and hydrophobic properties.
Vehicle Vinyl Wrap: A temporary, reversible alternative to paint, offering aesthetic customization and paint preservation.
For vehicle owners who want the ultimate in privacy for the rear section (where VLT is unrestricted), pairing a 5% or 20% VLT film on the rear half with a 70% VLT ceramic film on the front half is the ideal legal and aesthetic solution.
A Note on Provincial Variability (Beyond Ontario)
It is crucial to note that Window Tinting Laws Canada are enforced provincially. If you travel outside of Ontario, you must comply with that region’s rules. For example, British Columbia generally has a stricter rule, prohibiting aftermarket tint entirely on front side windows, while New Brunswick is far more lenient, allowing 70% VLT on the entire windshield and front side windows.
The federal Motor Vehicle Safety Regulations ensure minimum safety requirements for glazing but defer to provinces for aftermarket film applications. Always check the regulations of any province you plan to drive in to avoid issues with provincial law enforcement.
Conclusion and Next Steps
The critical takeaway is this: When it comes to Windshield Tinting vs. Side Windows, the legal boundaries in Ontario are clear and non-negotiable.
Windshield: Stick to the 75mm sun strip limit.
Front Side Windows: Choose 70% VLT ceramic film to comply with Window Tinting Laws Canada while maximizing heat rejection.
Rear Windows: Tint as dark as you prefer.
Don’t risk a ticket or, worse, compromise your safety. The cost of illegal tint removal and the associated fines far outweigh the investment in a high-quality, legally compliant installation. Trust A5 Tint to navigate the complexities of Window Tinting Laws Canada and provide you with premium installation that guarantees maximum performance and peace of mind.
Ready to protect your investment the right way? Contact A5 Tint today to schedule your compliant, high-performance Automotive Tinting Services installation.