RV Window Tinting – Increase Privacy and Reduce Heat

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Revised February 9, 2024

RV living is the best life, in my opinion, but sometimes it seems like you’re living and traveling in a greenhouse. The sun beats down, raising interior temperatures and stressing your on-board air conditioners. Trips through the desert Southwest get put off until winter. You promise yourself, repeatedly, that you won’t drive west at sunset.

Tinting your RV windows can offer a solution to these – and other – problems. Many, if not most, motorhomes and trailers now come standard with tinted glass windows already installed. However, if your rig lacks them, or you’d like to improve insulation and safety, you can apply tinted film to your windows.

Here are some factors to consider when deciding whether to tint your windows, the different options available, and some mistakes to avoid.

What is Window Tinting?

Tinted windows are the result of two different processes.

Factory Tint – Windows are tinted at the factory by an electrical process called “deep dipping” which applies a dark tint inside the glass. The main benefit achieved by factory tinted windows is privacy, as this tinted glass does not usually block UV radiation or provide insulation.

Factory tinted windows are typically darker for windows in the rear of vehicles, in compliance with Federal laws. Colors range from grey, bronze, and green to a reflective mirror tint.

Window Tinting Film – A thin polyester material is applied to the inside of windows. This film typically incorporates several layers, each of which provides different benefits, such as protection from UV rays, heat rejection, glare control, and privacy.

Films are available in a number of different shades, including clear, and are rated by their Visible Light Transmission (VLT) factor. The VLT number indicates the amount of light that the film allows through. For example, a film with a VLT of 30 allows only 30 percent of the visible light through. The lower the number, the less light gets through.

Do RVs Come With Tinted Windows?

Many RVs come with tinted windows, but it’s not universal. Some manufacturers may offer it as an option, while others may not include it at all. And older models rarely have tinted windows, as it was not a common feature in the past.

However, even if your RV doesn’t have tinted windows, you can still benefit from installing them.

What are the Benefits of RV or Camper Window Tinting?

Insulation – Window tint film can block up to 70 percent of the infrared (solar) heat that comes through glass windows. RVers will see better gas mileage since air conditioners eat up fuel at a fast rate. In cold conditions, window film slows heat loss through the exposed glass, leading to propane and/or electricity savings.

Privacy – One of the top reasons to tint your windows is the increased privacy you’ll enjoy when passers-by can’t look in and see your RV or Camper interior or if you’re “at home.” It’s also a safety measure, preventing potential thieves from “shopping” your belongings, no matter where you park.

Sun Damage Protection – This works in two ways: protecting you and your RV, Camper Trailer or 5th Wheel. Window film can block up to 99 percent of harmful Ultraviolet (UV) rays, the nasty ingredient in sunlight that can cause skin cancer and cataracts and accelerate the wrinkles of age.

Turns out UV light has a similar effect on RV interiors, dashboards and upholstery, causing them to fade, crack and warp in short order. Tinted windows are especially important if you have leather – or leatherette – upholstery. Some films have UV protection equivalent to SPF 285, to keep you and your RV looking good.

Safety – Window tint film will prevent the glass from shattering if you’re in an accident or if someone breaks out your window. The film bonds to the glass, holding the broken pieces in place, keeping you safe and speeding clean-up.

Glare Control – Glare is the enemy of safe driving, as you can be nearly blinded by the sun, reflections from snow, and even other vehicles’ headlights. Federal regulations and some states allow the top portion of the windshield to be tinted to give some relief from sunrises and sunsets.

Applying one of the new clear ceramic films is a more universal solution. These are virtually clear but block UV and solar heat rays while reducing glare by up to 96 percent.

Appearance – Let’s face it… your RV looks cooler with tinted windows.

How Much Does Window Tint Reduce Heat?

The effectiveness of window tint in reducing heat depends on various factors, such as the type of film, the quality of installation, and even the size and placement of windows in your RV.

Type of Film: Many types of window tint films are available in the market, ranging from dyed to metallic. The film type used can significantly affect its ability to reduce heat. 

For example, dyed films are more affordable but less effective in blocking out heat than other types.

Ceramic or metallic films are more expensive but offer better heat reduction.

Installation Quality: Another crucial factor that affects the effectiveness of window tint is the quality of installation. 

A poorly installed film can cause gaps and bubbles that allow heat to seep through, making it less effective in reducing heat.

Windows Size and Placement: The effectiveness of window tinting also depends on the size and placement of your windows.

For example, large windows receiving direct sunlight throughout the day will benefit more from tinting than smaller or shaded windows. 

Types of RV Glass Tinting Film – Pros & Cons

Dyed Window Film – The least expensive and least functional type of window tinting involves film with a layer of dye next to the adhesive. The dye is heat-absorbing to deflect heat away from the interior of the vehicle and is usually bonded with a UV-blocking layer.

While dyed film has varying amounts of glare, UV, and infrared protection, it is usually selected for its opaque black appearance. This allows excellent visibility for those inside but blocks views from outside into the vehicle.

One drawback of dyed film is its tendency to fade over time or even turn purple. Look for a color-stable film that will maintain its dark color for many years.

Metalized Window Film – Tiny particles of metal are embedded in the window film during manufacture, usually through a complicated process called sputtering. Windows covered with metalized film are more highly reflective and stronger than those covered with dyed film.

And they are more resistant to scratches. Depending on the metal used in the sputtering process, the metalized film can block a wide range of radiation, providing excellent heat and UV protection.

A metalized layer is often laminated to dyed film, creating what is called a hybrid or high-performance film.

A major drawback of metalized window film is the possibility that it will interfere with your GPS, radio, cellphone, and other electronic devices that depend on receiving signals from outside your RV.

Carbon Window Film – A relatively new form of tinting film, this carbon-based option is fade-resistant, provides excellent protection from heat and UV radiation, and gives windows an opaque, black, matte appearance. Because no metal is involved, this film won’t interfere with your electronics, either.

Ceramic Window Film – The newest (and most expensive) film is made from tiny nano-particles of ceramic, so small they are invisible to the human eye. Since it doesn’t contain dye, metal or carbon, this film can be completely clear while still providing superior protection, blocking 99 percent of UV rays and 45 up to 70 percent of infrared heat, depending on the brand.

Since it contains no metal, this type of film doesn’t interfere with cellphone reception or GPS operation. The ceramic particles actually absorb light, reducing glare without reducing clarity, making it the ideal choice for windshields.

Specialty Films – If you’re looking to give your RV or trailer a unique look, window tinting films are available in a number of colors, including red, holographic effects or a silver mirror appearance. Note that these may be illegal on some windows in some states and are probably best reserved for trailers.

Photochromatic or Photochromic Films – These are the newest options in window tinting film. These products contain special pigments that make windows darken in sunlight, then turn (almost) clear at night.

Things To Be Aware Of When Choosing a Window Tint

Darker is not necessarily better. Windows covered with extremely dark film, with a VLT rating of 20% or less, may make the interior of your RV gloomy even on the brightest day. Also, it makes it harder to see out, distorting the colors of the scenery you are traveling to see.

While darkened windows offer increased privacy during the day, the opposite is true at night. Once the sun goes down and you turn on your internal lights, you are completely visible to those outside, like an actor on a lighted stage in a dark theater. Pull your shades!

Are There RV Window Tinting Laws?

It’s a question that always comes up when discussing window tinting: Is it legal?

There are no federal regulations specifically concerning window tinting on RVs. The general regulations for motor vehicles are assumed to apply. These, found in FMVSS No. 205, require that the driver’s forward field of vision, defined as the windshield and the driver and passenger side windows, and in some instances the rearmost window if used for driving visibility, must allow 70 percent or more of visible light to get through (a minimum of VLT 70), improving the driver’s ability to see clearly. If your windshield already has a factory tint, be sure to have your VLT calculated before and after adding an additional tint.

This regulation covers the entire front windshield except for the shade ban area and the area where the rearview mirror is mounted to the windshield, which can have a darker shade. If you are worried about being stopped, it’s a good idea to carry proof with you in your RV from the manufacturer or installer that the tinting or glazing is in compliance with FMVSS205.

Beyond the Federal regulations, each state (and country if traveling beyond the U.S. borders) has its own laws regarding tinting. A useful website to check the current state-by-state regulations includes TintLaws.com.

Generally, if you are in compliance with the laws in the state where your RV is registered, you should be ok with the police anywhere. Printing the appropriate regulations for your state and carrying them with you is not a bad idea.

Can You Tint Your RV Windshield?

Yes, tinting your RV windshield is possible.

However, there are essential details to understand before deciding to do so.

Understanding State Laws and Regulations

Before you decide to tint your RV windshield, it’s crucial to familiarize yourself with the laws and regulations of your state regarding window tinting. 

Different states have different rules for how dark you can tint your windows. So, make sure your tint stays within the allowed limit.

Selecting the Appropriate Film

Selecting the correct film for your RV windshield is another crucial step. 

The film should be suitable for automotive use and withstand sunlight exposure and fluctuating temperatures. 

They also usually come with warranties that cover any defects or bubbling.

Importance of Professional Installation

To achieve an optimal outcome and prevent potential damage to your RV windshield, it is advisable to have a professional install the tint film. 

Professionals possess the skills and tools to apply window tint to recreational vehicles properly.

Weighing the Pros and Cons

Tinting your RV windshield can reduce glare from the sun, making driving safer and more comfortable. 

However, it could also decrease visibility, particularly at night or in low-light conditions. 

If not installed properly, the tint could bubble or peel, obstructing your view and possibly requiring expensive repairs.

Considering Alternatives to Tinting

If you’re unsure about tinting your RV windshield, consider alternatives such as RV sunshades or curtains. 

You can install and remove these alternatives as needed. They provide similar benefits to tinting, such as blocking sunlight and offering privacy, without being permanent.

How Much Does Tinting RV Windows Cost?

The cost of getting your RV windows tinted depends on several factors, including the type of window film you choose and the number and type of windows in your RV. Your cost also varies drastically depending on whether you decide to do the installation yourself or have a professional installer do the job.

Professional installation costs vary widely, depending on what kind of film you want, the size of your RV, and the region of the country where you have the work done. On average, installers charge $25 to $50 per window but usually they offer discounts for tinting the entire vehicle.

Some of the advantages of having the work done at a professional tint shop include the quality of the work, the certainty that the tinting will be within the legal limits, and the possibility that your window tinting will come with a guarantee. It’s a good idea to shop around and compare several different tint shops. Before you settle on an installer, talk with them about your options, get a quote, explore references, and look at jobs they have completed.

Don’t forget to make a firm commitment to when the work will be completed. Most jobs shouldn’t take too long.

DIY RV Window Tinting – Pros and Cons

You can save considerable money if you decide to go the DIY route and install your own window tint on your RV. Rolls of film with various VLT percentages start as low as $10, again depending on the kind of film you choose.

The price can range up to a couple of hundred dollars for 100 feet of a premium film. Some DIY tint kits come with pre-cut window shapes for various car models, but these are unlikely to fit the windows on your RV unless you have a conversion van.

Tools you’ll need include a special application solution fluid for window tint film, a lint-free cleaning cloth, a razor knife, a scraper blade, several felt squeegees, and a heat gun. Plus, you will need gloves and lots of non-ammonia window cleaner.

Magnets to hold the film in place while you smooth out the bubbles are also a good idea. You should work in a dust-free area, perhaps a garage, out of hot, humid or sunny conditions, all of which can affect the success of the installation.

You’ll also need steady hands, skill with a knife, and an obsessive interest in accurate measuring. Measure before you buy the film to be sure you buy enough. Measure again to get the most exact dimensions for your windows, then measure again.

Cut the film into your window shape with 2 inches extra all the way around so you can cut off the excess and have the tint reach all the way to the edges.

One of the unique challenges facing anyone installing window tint film on an RV (and one factor driving up prices at tint shops) is the many shapes of the windows found on a typical RV.

In addition to the fairly standard windshield and front door windows, you may have four or even more styles of windows on a single RV, including louvers, slides that open to the side or vertically, unique door and bathroom windows, and whatever else the RV designers came up with. Each style requires separate strategies to apply window tint film.

Another easier option is to use static cling film. These also come in rolls with various VLT ratings. Their advantage is that they stick easily to the windows and come off just as easily when you need to replace them to see better or if you change your mind.

Plus, the pieces can be reused or repurposed. On the minus side, they don’t typically give a professional or polished appearance and don’t provide the longevity or protection of regular window tint films.

One easy DIY project for your RV is installing a windshield visor strip along the top of the windshield. You can use either regular window tint film or a strip of static cling film. A VLT of 20 percent is usually recommended and generally legal.

Brands of RV Window Tint Film To Consider

Gila Window Tint – The Gila company is dedicated to DIYers and aims to make weekend projects as easy and successful as possible. It is manufactured by Eastman Chemicals, a company descended from Eastman Kodak founded in 1920, and long a world leader in film for photography.

Gila offers basic dyed films, heat shield films, and static cling films. They are all available in a range of VLT ratings, all the way up to the Xtreme Limo Black tint, offering complete privacy with a 2.5% VLT. Special kits are available for back windows.

Gila sells application tool kits, and each film purchase comes with a Gila Complete Application Kit and instructions to guide you through installation.

Eastman Chemicals also produces many other brands of window tint films suitable for RV use, including LLumar, FormulaOne High Performance Auto Tint, Vista, SunTek, Huper Optik & Design, IQue, and V-KOOL.

Crystalline Window Tint – A technology breakthrough from the respected 3M Corporation, a leader in sunblock film since 1966, Crystalline is considered the best of the best by some experts.

This is due to its superior ability to block UV (99.9%) and Infrared (up to 97%) radiation as well as solar heat (up to 60% deflection). It’s SPF protection is estimated to be more than 1,000. All these features are available even in the nearly transparent versions, the VLT 70 and VLT 90, making Crystalline suitable for windows where darker tints can’t legally be used.

3M makes Crystalline using proprietary nanotechnology that joins together over 200 layers, creating a film that, according to the company website, is thinner than a Post-It Note.

Plus, it comes with a 3M Lifetime Warranty. While it can be successfully installed by DIYers with extensive experience and skills, the high price of Crystalline makes professional installation a better and safer option.

RELATED READING: Check out our article called RV Window Insulation Tips for Summer and Winter to learn all about how to keep your RV cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

RV Window Tinting – Is It Worth It?

The decision to apply window tinting film to your RV windows is one that involves many decisions and will likely involve considerable cost. If you decide to go the DIY route, it will also require time, both to study the application process and do the job itself.

Before you get started, think about why you want to tint your windows, what you hope to get out of applying window tint, and how much you want to spend. Research the many options in window tinting films out there, and then make your choices accordingly.

Despite the challenges involved, RV window tinting is worth the effort to preserve your RV’s interior and to increase both the comfort and the safety of your RV.

If you want to keep your RV cool but don’t want to invest in tinting your RV windows check out this RV Windshield Cover we use. Not only does it block the sun and keep the heat out of our RV but is also has driver and passenger window screens that allow us to open the front windows for more air flow – without bugs flying into our RV!

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– How Long Does an RV Propane Tank Last (Heat, Fridge, Water)

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Do you have tinted windows in your RV? Please share your experience with us in the comments below!

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