What is athermal glazing in a car
Content
Thermal glazing is a replacement for conventional, transparent automotive glass with glass with the functions of reduced heat transfer and light transmission. Thus, in the heat, your interior heats up less in the sun, does not fade, and also makes it easier to see in sunny weather due to the extinguishing of direct sunlight.
It should be noted that athermal glasses are manufactured in a factory way, they are the result of a complex technological process: even at the production stage, various chemical compounds are added to the composition, silver coatings are applied. In a garage or in a workshop - that is, using artisanal methods - it is impossible to turn glass into athermal glass.
Properties, tasks, disadvantages of athermal glasses
The properties of athermal glasses that distinguish them from ordinary glasses:
- Strong, durable, resulting in less wear. A pebble flying out from under the wheel is less likely to break the windshield.
- Reflect light, reduce glare.
- They do not allow infrared and ultraviolet rays to pass through - a kind of thermos, it is cooler behind them in summer, hotter in winter.
It provides good heat absorption with high light transmission - this is important when meeting with the traffic police. There will be no problems: the norms for light transmission are not violated. With toning, for example, difficulties are inevitable.
This determines the tasks solved by athermal glass:
- Driver's eye protection: Reduces the brightness of the light entering the passenger compartment, including sunlight and headlights.
- Interior protection: from dust, dirt, moisture, mechanical damage, from infrared and ultraviolet radiation, from temperature changes. The upholstery does not fade. It is easier to control the temperature inside the cabin, it will be warm in winter and cool in summer. In addition, such glasses do not sweat, freeze for much longer and do not form condensation. As a result - less load on the air conditioner, less fuel consumption.
- Aesthetics: when viewed from the outside, such glasses look beautiful - smoky, with a slight greenish or bluish tint. The hue changes depending on the lighting. It is worth noting that you cannot rely on the shade when choosing athermal glass. Tint is a necessary but not sufficient sign: it could just as well be the result of a touch-up or toning.
Unfortunately, athermal glazing is not always the best solution. Besides the advantages, there are also disadvantages:
- The price is one and a half to two times higher than for ordinary glass.
- Installation - only on a limited range of models, if we are talking about a domestic manufacturer. Foreign brands usually support the installation of athermal glass.
- The ultraviolet filter blocks radio transmissions - the operation of the anti-radar will be in question. Because of this, sometimes the radar detector is mounted outside the car, which makes it vulnerable to the antics of hooligans.
How to distinguish athermal glass from ordinary glass?
Athermal glass is more expensive than usual - so sometimes a careless car owner can be deceived. But not an experienced driver.
How to avoid fraudsters and buy real high-quality athermal glass?
- Immediately differentiate in your mind athermal glass, athermal film and tint - a clear understanding of the difference will lay the foundation for a deeper understanding. After all, they deceive most often, it is by presenting the film as a full-fledged athermal glass!
- The edge processing of real athermal glass must be of high quality: such glass is produced by a narrow circle of reputable companies that value their reputation. Sometimes you can find the edges of the film - remember that athermal glass is not a film.
- If you look at athermal glass through polarizing glasses, the picture will be different from just tinted glass.
- The stamp "tinted" or "overtinted" is a prerequisite for authenticity. "Tinted" means that in front of you glass with moderate heat absorption: the windscreen transmits 81% of the light, the front side ones - 80%. "Overtinted" marks glass with increased heat absorption: the windscreen transmits 78,5% of the light, the front side ones - 72%.
- Athermal glass cannot cost as usual. If you are offered too cheap athermal glass, this is a reason to be wary. Perhaps they are just trying to cash in on your desire to save money.
Remember these tips - and always carefully examine the glass offered for purchase - visually, tactilely.
Thermal tinting - the difference from glazing
The difference is elementary. Athermal glass is a special, factory-made glass with the use of additives. Athermal tinting is just a film that can be pasted in the nearest garage.
Athermal tinting:
- does not provide mechanical strength;
- does not guarantee compliance with GOST: according to the standard, the windshield must transmit at least 75% of the light, the front side glass must transmit at least 70%. Ordinary "transparent" glass already allows about 90–95% of light to pass through - the tint becomes more complicated.
- unreliable: after prolonged use, it peels off, gets damaged, etc.
However, athermal tinting is much cheaper than glazing, solves the problem of thermal insulation of a car, and can also be carried out in artisanal conditions.
The price of athermal tinting is about two to three thousand rubles. The price of athermal glazing is good if ten thousand. Usually tens.
Video: using athermal film
Questions and answers:
What do athermal glasses give? An athermal glass coating prevents excessive heating of the car interior. It also protects surfaces from UV rays.
How to identify athermal glass or not? In such glasses, an additional silver-plated film is added between the layers. This glass is marked with IR and has a characteristic violet tint.
What is a thermal windshield? This is a protective glass that has sound absorption properties. It contains no substances that interfere with the action of electronics, for example, a navigator.
