Clear Demand: Hot Trends in Window Film

The window film industry is undergoing a transformation, fueled by consumer demand for both advanced performance and cutting-edge aesthetics. From increased interest in ceramic films to the rise of security applications and even the influence of social media, professionals across the country are taking note of significant trends reshaping their businesses.

One of the most prominent shifts is the growing demand for security films, especially in the wake of national safety concerns. "With all the school shootings lately, I would say, for sure, security films," says Matthew Darienzo, CEO of American Window Film.

At the same time, the emergence of smart film is capturing attention for its versatility and improving ease of installation. Darienzo sees parallels between smart film and the early days of paint protection film (PPF), noting, "Smart film is on the rise and getting more mainstream as dealers get better at installing it. I saw the same thing when PPF first came out and was slow to gain adoption because it was so hard to install. But as the product got easier to install, it eventually took off."

Depite the threat of fines, people in places like North Carolina still want darker-than-legal tint.

Ceramic Films Take Off

Ceramic films, however, are the clear standout across the board. Nearly every industry professional echoes the growing popularity of these high-performance materials, driven by their ability to block heat, UV rays, and infrared light without dramatically reducing visibility.

"We're seeing an uptick in people wanting ceramic films for the heat, UV and infrared benefits," says Darrin Darling, owner of The Tint Shop Plus in Kannapolis, North Carolina. "Proper education on the quality levels of films makes it an easy upsell."

That education appears to be working. Mike Leffler, owner of Mike's Mobile Tint in Shelbyville, Indiana, agrees: "More people are asking for ceramic films. I feel like people are researching more. The popularity with ceramic has risen a lot."

Daniel Vitellaro, owner of Epic Tinting in New York City, observes that clear, high heat-rejecting films are attracting a broader audience than ever before. "More people who would never even think of tinting their windows because of visible light transmittance (VLT) loss, are now discovering these films," he says.

Heat rejection remains a top priority not just in automotive applications, but in the architectural space as well. Madison Smail, general manager of U.S. Film Crew in Pittsburgh, notes, "We've noticed a significant jump in solar window film requests. Generally, customers seem to be prioritizing heat rejection, and then are either looking to cut glare or maintain natural light."

This interest in maintaining aesthetics while improving performance has driven increased sales of reflective and spectrally selective films, which are especially popular in commercial and residential installations.

Dark Tint Dilemma

Yet, as demand for performance grows, so do requests that challenge legal and ethical boundaries. Dark tints—particularly those with VLT less than 5%—are increasingly requested, despite legal restrictions.

"I've been noticing more requests for darker than 5% VLTs," says Sean Gill, owner of The TintMan Gill LLC in Sumter, South Carolina. "I'm all for giving the customer what they want, but I do have my limits. The requests for darker than 5% on the front doors just doesn't sit well with me from a safety perspective."

In states like North Carolina, where window tint is included in the vehicle inspection process, enforcement adds a layer of complexity. "Here in North Carolina, we have a 35% legality for a full car," says Darling. "But people still want darker, even though they are told if it fails inspection, they'll get fined. We are doing (tint) removal every day here."

In Georgia, Phillip Hill of Prestige Solar Tinting is blunt: "Illegal tint is rampant, but no one cares about the tint laws."

Amid the seriousness of safety and compliance, the industry also finds itself influenced by pop culture and social media. As Joey Jones, owner of Rockstar Window Tinting in Indiana, quips: "Tik Tok Tint ." The viral nature of platforms like TikTok has introduced tinting trends to a wider audience, accelerating demand for stylish, often unconventional applications such as colored PPF.

Even though he's not directly in the automotive side of the business, Darienzo sees this wave firsthand. "My friends [in the auto space] tell me colored PPF is all the rage."

And it doesn't stop there—ceramic coatings are another value-added product gaining popularity. Darienzo notes, "I also think ceramic coatings will continue to gain traction as an add-on for dealers."

As the window film industry continues to evolve, professionals must strike a balance between innovation and regulation, customization and compliance. One thing is certain: the more customers learn about what's available, the more diverse and specialized their requests become.