Two questions decide every tint job in Raleigh: how dark can you legally go, and what film technology are you buying? North Carolina law answers the first — 35% VLT on front side windows. The second decides whether your tint actually rejects heat or just looks dark.
Heat rejection makes the difference between a car you can touch in July and one you can't. Ceramic tint knocks the cabin temperature down hard and protects interiors from the sun that's working year-round.
North Carolina tint law at a glance
Police meter the combined darkness of glass plus film, and factory glass already blocks a few percent — so a quality shop measures the finished result, not the box label. Full statute details on our North Carolina tint law guide.
| Glass | Rule (passenger cars) |
|---|---|
| Windshield | Non-reflective tint above the AS-1 line. |
| Front side windows | 35% VLT or lighter |
| Back side windows | 35% VLT or lighter |
| Rear window | 35% VLT or lighter |
| Reflectivity | No more than 20% reflective. |
What tint costs in Raleigh
The price gap between dyed and ceramic film is roughly $100–$200 on a sedan — and it's the most consequential $150 in this industry. Dyed film darkens; nano-ceramic film like ULTRASHIELD SHADOW rejects heat and blocks 99% of UV at any legal darkness, without interfering with phone, GPS, or toll transponders.
| Vehicle | Ceramic tint, typical installed price |
|---|---|
| Coupe / 2-door | $249 – $449 |
| Sedan (all sides + rear) | $299 – $549 |
| SUV / truck | $349 – $649 |
| Windshield strip or full windshield (where legal) | $99 – $299 |
| Front-two match (factory privacy glass) | $149 – $249 |
Full statute breakdown: North Carolina window tint laws →
Common questions
What's the darkest legal tint in North Carolina?+
Does darker tint mean cooler?+
How long does tint take to cure in Raleigh's climate?+
Certified ULTRASHIELD installers in Raleigh
Trained on SHIELD PPF, STORM ceramic, and SHADOW tint — every install registered with CARFAX.
More answers for Raleigh drivers
Pricing reflects typical published US market ranges as of 2026 and varies by vehicle and shop. Laws change — verify current tint statutes with the North Carolina DMV. This article is provided by ULTRASHIELD, the manufacturer of SHIELD PPF, STORM ceramic, and SHADOW window films.