Golf windows default UV rating / factory tint

[notice]

Does anyone know the UV rating of the standard Golf VII windows?

There is a low but noticeable factory tint and I do not feel like I'm burning in direct sun. However my research has not produced any actual data on the UV of the standard glass. The brochure indicates all new Golfs have some tint but does have any more details.

Edit:
According to VW:
The front screen has less than 1% uv penetration - ie blocks 99+% uv

The side windows and rear screen is rated at less than 31% uv penetration - ie blocks 69+% uv

[Diesel_vert]

As with all modern vehicles, the windscreen is made from laminated glass, which will block at least 95% of UV radiation by design (more typically 97% to 98%).

Side and rear windows that are not made from laminated glass will otherwise be made from tempered glass. Depending on the presence of any tint or coat in the glass, its darkness, and the thickness of the glass itself, tempered glass will block from anywhere between 30% to 90% of UV radiation.

Laminated side and rear windows are uncommon and only tend to feature on more expensive cars.

Expect a typical automotive glass window on a modern European vehicle (i.e. tempered, with green tint) to block around 50% to 70% of UV radiation.



Many tinted window films or coatings on the market should block the transmission of UV radiation through any glass by >99%, depending on the product.

[notice]

That's very helpful thank you very much.

It seems VW do not publish anything specific though. There's a big difference between 30 and 70% UV in Australia, both in terms of safety to children etc and car temperature. Anyway it seems the factory tint is reasonable. If anyone has any more detail that would be much appreciated.

[Diesel_vert]

I don't know of any vehicle manufacturer that specifically mentions the UV light transmittance of its standard fitment windscreen, side or rear windows. Privacy glass might get a mention, as it's more marketable.

For precise figures, you could always try writing to VW directly, or failing that, you could try contacting the component supplier directly (Pilkington or Saint Gobain Sekurit).

In any case, unless the side and rear windows are laminated on a Mk7 Golf (which is unlikely), a tinted window film or coating would be the most cost-effective way to reduce the amount of solar radiation (ultraviolet, visible & infrared) from entering the cabin.

Many tints on the market will block transmission of >99% of UV light, but visible and infrared light transmission performance varies quite a lot, depending on the product (and price).

[pologti18t]

The other point is that the factory privacy glass adds no significant UV protection.

[mr gee]

Here

SAINT-GOBAIN SEKURIT Product - Product Details - Anti-Heat Glass

[notice]

Here

SAINT-GOBAIN SEKURIT Product - Product Details - Anti-Heat Glass

Do you know if this is the glass used in the MK VII? I will make some formal enquiries and post back. It seems crazy not to provide this information, though I suppose it helps dealers in selling tints. I'm very impressed with the standard glass so far. Thanks for the very informative posts.

[wai]

If you are spending a lot of time in the car, then the best way to protect your arms is with a driving sleeve you can buy from the Cancer Council. It's around the $20 dollar mark. For your face and neck, a good sunscreen. I would not use a sunscreen with nano particles for various reasons, one of which is that if you touch the paint on the car with your hands covered with such sunscreen, the nano particles of your hand print will work its way through the paint surface and you will never be able to get rid of it without rubbing the contaminated paint away. Even here, many paint shops do not like doing it because there is always the possibility of the rubbed off pain containing nano particles ending up on another painted surface.

I know that roofing contractors are warned of this as they use a lot of sunscreen. Here you end up with hand prints showing up weeks after the roofing has been installed and they end up having to replace the sheeting.

[brad]

Do you know if this is the glass used in the MK VII? I will make some formal enquiries and post back. It seems crazy not to provide this information, though I suppose it helps dealers in selling tints. I'm very impressed with the standard glass so far. Thanks for the very informative posts.

Why bother wasting time with enquiries when writing a letter makes no difference to what is fitted to the vehicle?

For $250 you can get the windows tinted with 99%UV blocking. Car will look better. Eyes will cope better from sun coming through the side windows, vehicle won't heat up as much. etc.

My wife's company drives don't come with aftermarket tint (Last 4 cars were top spec Captiva, Outback, CalaisV & Mondeo - yes, she has no taste ) & & I find the factory tint lacking compared to aftermarket film.

Just do it. Cheap, legal, effective.

[notice]

Why bother wasting time with enquiries when writing a letter makes no difference to what is fitted to the vehicle?

For $250 you can get the windows tinted with 99%UV blocking. Car will look better. Eyes will cope better from sun coming through the side windows, vehicle won't heat up as much. etc.

My wife's company drives don't come with aftermarket tint (Last 4 cars were top spec Captiva, Outback, CalaisV & Mondeo - yes, she has no taste ) & & I find the factory tint lacking compared to aftermarket film.

Just do it. Cheap, legal, effective.

Interesting points but I disagree on a couple and think it's worth making an informed decision. If it already blocks UVB radiation it's a wasted $250. There are also risks associated with getting a bad job, and potential loss of visibility at night. Aesthetics are a matter of preference.