Ceramic vs carbon vs dyed window tint: which is best?
BEAK Automotive · Updated November 7, 2026
The short answer
Ceramic film is the best of the three: it rejects the most heat, has no metal to interfere with GPS, phone or radio signals, and won't fade or turn purple. Dyed film is the cheapest but blocks the least heat and fades over time. Carbon film sits in between: it doesn't fade and has a matte look, but rejects less heat than ceramic.
Side by side
| Dyed | Carbon | Ceramic | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heat rejection | Lowest | Good | Highest |
| Fades or turns purple | Yes, over time | No | No |
| Signal interference | None | None | None |
| Look | Flat, can look purple when old | Matte, dark | Clear, true color |
| Cost | Lowest | Middle | Highest |
What about metallic film?
Metallic (or metalized) film reflects heat with tiny metal particles. It works, but it can interfere with GPS, cell and radio signals, and some states limit how reflective tint can be. Ceramic film gets the heat rejection without the metal, which is why it replaced metallic film for most cars.
Heat rejection numbers, explained
- UV rejection: almost every quality film blocks about 99% of UV, the rays that fade your interior and burn skin.
- IR rejection: how much infrared (felt as heat) the film blocks. Ceramic films are rated highest here.
- TSER (total solar energy rejected): the most honest single number for overall heat, because it counts visible light and infrared together. A darker shade of the same film has a higher TSER.
What BEAK uses
Every BEAK kit is nano ceramic film, 2 mil thick, with up to 99% UV rejection and up to 90% infrared rejection. It's the same film in every shade, so you choose the shade for looks and privacy, not for heat.
The honest downsides
- Ceramic costs more than dyed or carbon film.
- No film makes a car cold: tint cuts the heat coming through the glass, and the air conditioning still does the rest.
Pre-cut ceramic tint for your vehicle
Front Sides $60 · Full Car $125. Any shade, free shipping, Perfect-Fit Guarantee.
