Sunlight is beautiful, but a times it can be a nuisance, and even downright dangerous, particularly for your little one. This is especially the case when you are in a car and can’t avoid the sunlight… or can you? This guide on car window shades will discuss your options when looking for windows shades to protect your baby.
There are 3 main types of windows shades: tint, socks and screens. This article will go into the pros and cons for each and make some recommendations.
Contents
Car Window Shades Compared
| Window Tint | Window Shade | Window Socks | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Blocks Glare |  | | |
| UV Protection | Possible | Possible | Possible |
| Easily Removeable | | |
|
| Weather Resistant | | | |
| Window Useable | | |
|
| Full Window Coverage | | |
Car Window Tint
Window tint is a dark film that is applied to the interior of your car windows. It therefore restricts the amount of light that passes through the window and does not detract from the aesthetics of your car. On the contrary, it is commonly used to improve a vehicles appearance. But is it a suitable sun shade for your baby?
The answer is… sometimes. Window tint comes in various shades and also features. Some tint is very light and does not do a very good job of reducing glare. You will want a darker tint to protect your baby’s eyes.
The darkness of tint is often specified by a VLT (visible light transmission) rating which designates how much light will pass through the tint. The lower the number, the darker the tint. It’s also best if you can find a window tint that also offers UV protection to offer additional protection to your baby.
The main downside to window tint is it is semi-permanent and cannot be easily removed. If you do decide this is your best option we recommend taking your car to a workshop to have it professionally installed. However if you are particularly handy you can purchase DIY tint and give it a go. We recommend Gila USS46 Heat Shield Plus, and you will also need a application kit such as this one here.
UV blocking, heat reducing & scratch resistant tint for the handy DIYer. Comes in 35%, 20% and 5% VLT.
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Car Window Screens
Window screens are generally made from a fabric such as woven polyester. They are semitransparent but block significant amounts of light from entering the vehicle. The screens are fixed to the interior of the window generally using suction caps and therefore prevent the window from moving up and down.
Seeing as they are fixed to the interior of your car, they can be used in any weather and really are the best option if you are looking for a hassle free experience.
Screens come either in a set size which you can try and closely match to the dimensions of your windows. However because car windows drastically vary from vehicle to vehicle, it will be extremely hard to find a screen that covers the entire window and the resulting gaps will let in full sunlight. We therefore recommend stretchable screens such as the Dreambaby L293 Adjusta-Car Shade which will enable to you to customize the fit to your windows and get as close to a perfect fit as possible.
An adjustable window screen that can remain fixed and will stretch to cover the majority of car windows.
Car Window Socks
And finally there are window socks. They are made of similar material to window screens but they stretch over the entire door frame, adding a layer on the exterior of the car and also in the interior. This means you still have complete use of the window and can put it up and down. It also blends nicely with the exterior of the car and has no gaps in the window that are not covered by the screen.
They are easily removable, which may make them a better option for some than window tint. However they must also be removed in wet weather, which is a significant downside.
We recommend the PEYOU Car Window Shade which comes in a few different sizes so you can find a close match to the dimensions of your car window and then stretch for a perfect fit.
A window sock which allows full use of the window and is available in various sizes for a perfect fit.
*Please note: As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases. Suppliers do compensate us when you purchase products and services listed below. This is known as affiliate marketing and we earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you.
Conclusion
When it comes to car window shades for your baby, there is no perfect one type fits all. Depending on your situation you may be better suited to one product over another. Hopefully this guide on car window shades has helped to point you in the right direction so you can find the protection your young one needs.
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