(ARA) - You don't think twice anymore about applying sunscreen to yourself or your children when spending a day in the sun. You probably even wear UV protective lenses while driving to reduce glare. But did you know that you (and your passengers) could be soaking up more damaging ultraviolet rays in an average week's drive to work and school than you do in a day at the beach? Or that rear headlight glare can be as dangerous as the sun's? Did you know that window film is an easy do-it-yourself solution to the problem?

Next to housing, a family's biggest financial investment is its vehicle. Consumers are maintaining their vehicles longer, and are spending more time commuting to work and to other activities. As a result, protecting the vehicle's occupants and making it a more comfortable becomes as important as maintaining its outside appearance. Protecting the interior from sun damage increases its value and keeps a vehicle looking good longer.

Why Do I Need Protection from the Sun in My Vehicle?

The sun emits three types of energy that can make driving more difficult and that can even expose you to harmful rays. The most dangerous and least noticeable energy is ultraviolet. These destructive rays can bleach fabrics, rot upholstery, and, over time, cause sunburns and stimulate skin cancer and other skin-related problems.

The heat that you feel when driving is the result of the near infrared band, which represents 53% of solar energy. Heat absorbed into your vehicle increases the air conditioner load, reducing gas efficiency and causing discomfort for you and your passengers.

Because it is the result of too much light, glare affects people in different ways, but most state law enforcement and safety groups support the belief that reducing glare by at least 40% improves driving comfort, vision and safety.

How Does Window Film Protect?

UV Rejection

Typical car windows offer some degree of sun protection, blocking most of the sun's skin-burning UVB rays, but not deep-penetrating UVA. In addition, exposing a vehicle's interior to ultraviolet can cause deterioration of seat belts, car seats and interior upholstery. Automotive window films can block over 99% of UVA+B rays, protecting both the interior of your vehicle and you as you drive.

Heat Reduction

There are two ways that window films help block heat to improve driving comfort: convection and reflection. Window films absorb heat at the glass surface; the faster a car moves down the road, the greater the convection effect caused by the air rushing by the windows. This effect draws the absorbed heat outside to reduce the heat gain coming into the passenger compartment. Providing even greater defense, metallized films actively reflect heat back towards the source, whether convection exists or not. The result is superior driving comfort and less load on the air conditioner.

Glare Control

Window films also reduce glare by as much as 80%, creating a much safer driving environment in strong sun, snow or rear headlight glare.

Shatter Resistance

According to Lisa Killen, Automotive Marketing Manager at CPFilms, manufacturer of GILA products, window film can also perform a valuable safety function. "Since 1978 American car makers have not been required to install laminated safety glass to the side and back windows of cars. As a result, these tempered windows can sometimes shatter from impact during an accident, exploding tiny glass shards around the passenger compartment. Window film can provide some anti-lacerative protection by helping to hold shattered glass together." The result, she concludes, is greater safety.

How Do I Choose the Right Film?

Many people associate window film with dark or faded purple tints that can be seen on some older vehicles. Actually, it's the lighter, higher performing films that provide the most protection and look the best on a car. Darker films can give needed privacy, but many people do not want their vehicles looking like limousines - and they don't have to.

The first decision a consumer should make before purchasing a do-it-yourself film is what light transmission to use. Light transmission measures how much light passes through the film; the higher the percentage, the better the visibility inside and out. The lower the percentage, the darker the film and the more privacy it offers.

Every state (and Canadian province) regulates the darkness of film allowed on vehicle windows. Most states permit some tinting on the front side windows, usually from 35% to 50% light transmission. Back side and rear windows are generally allowed darker tinting, provided the vehicle has left and right outside mirrors for visibility. Anyone planning to tint a vehicle should consult with state police or the film manufacturer to determine the exact level of light transmission permitted. Most window film manufacturers offer do-it-yourself films in densities from 5% (the darkest) to 50% (the lightest).

Window films are also available with different performance features. Economy window films are constructed of dyed or coated polyester and offer good UV and glare protection, but little heat rejection or durability. The next level of performance is scratch-resistance. These films offer the same benefits as economy films, but add an anti-scratch coating that keeps the film looking good longer.

The best heat rejection available is from metallized films. Metallizing a film does not make it dark and shiny, but increases the active heat and rejection. The highest performing films available contain UV absorbers as well as metal to offer the maximum protection for both the vehicle and its passengers. These films - such as GILA's new UltraShield products - offer the greatest durability and highest performance available.

Many manufacturers also offer a variety of specialty films including graduated tints, mirrored tints, and colored tints. Customizing a vehicle with a specialty film not only protects it, but also increases its beauty and value.

Can I Do This Myself?

Absolutely. Window film technology has improved greatly over the past several years, bringing with it more user-friendly products. Complete instructions are available inside each carton of film, and the basic tools needed are a spray bottle, firm squeegee, and utility knife.

Windows must be completely clean and free of contaminants before applying film. With patience and the proper tools and time, anyone can get a professional-looking tint job in just a couple of hours at home. Each manufacturer's application instructions may vary somewhat, so it is important to read them carefully to achieve the best-looking tint job.

Is there a Cost Benefit?

Of course, for you and the environment. The average cost for tinting your own vehicle is around $20 to $40 - depending on the type of film used - compared to $150 to $350 for professional installation. In addition, the benefits received for such a small investment make window film an excellent afternoon project, resulting in a safer, more comfortable and attractive vehicle.

The environment benefits from the added fuel economy which film can generate. As Killen notes, "When you run the air conditioner, you are burning more fuel and emitting more pollution. Reducing heat gain by up to 50% improves the efficiency of your A/C so you can run it at a lower fan speed, burn less fuel, and reduce pollution." These savings are especially important if you drive a minivan or SUV, which has a larger glass area than most vehicles.