Since everyone is talking about mostly the percentage and the
www.tintlaws.com stuff, I decided to do more research on this. I want to get my windows tinted professionally, and found out some interesting info.
There are differences in quality and materials that cover the range of available window films and brands.
There are superior films in light vlt's that reject heat. These are the ceramic films by Pinnacle, FormulaOne and Huper Optik.
Cheap dyed films - $100- They turn color and fade fast. Make sure that you get a warranty and read the color change area.
HP- High Performance Films. These are metal and dyed mixtures. Generally $125-200. Read the warranty twice. Some tricky manufacturers do not cover the color change or fading of the film to clear or limit that to three years. There are different dye methods some very stable.
LLumar ATR or FormulaOne Comfort Series at
http://www.formulaone.com are really popular amongst professionals.
Metal films are next highest in quality. Super stability no color changes.
Top of line would be Ceramic and Nano-ceramic films $259-400.
I just got some quotes. Seems to be about $225 to have 'back half of vehicle' done. (no front doors or windshield). But that cost is for dye based film that would fade.
To get ceramic film, the cost estimate goes up about 50%. Average estimated quote was $325 for ceramic film.
Also, one place told me their Ceramic film only comes in Dark, Medium or Light, and the dark is not as dark as 5%.