(IR) Ceramic Window Tinting, Park Forest

IR and ceramic are two words for the same kind of film. Ceramic describes the nano-ceramic particles built into the film; IR is short for infrared, the part of sunlight most people feel as heat. Kepler's automotive ranges, IR and IR+, are nano-ceramic films, so either term points at the same technology. What matters when you compare is the exact film and shade, because two tints that look alike on the glass can perform differently.

Sunlight reaches the cabin as visible light, ultraviolet and infrared, and each one is handled differently by a film. Kepler IR and IR+ are nano-ceramic ranges designed to work on solar heat while keeping the view out clear. Visible light transmission, the VLT figure attached to each shade, only describes how much light passes through, so a darker film isn't automatically the cooler one. Ask your dealer for the data on the specific film and shade you're considering.

We also cover Park Forest homes with our residential window tinting

Ceramic film does several things at once: it works on the solar heat building in the cabin, softens glare on bright days and filters the UV that fades dashboards and upholstery. Kepler's IR and IR+ films are non-metallic, and because shade is chosen separately from the film range, you can pick the appearance you want without giving up performance. Just remember that VLT describes light, not heat, so compare like for like on the exact film.

We also publish a guide to window tint rules. View our guide on tint laws

Cost depends on the vehicle, how many windows are being done and which film and shade you choose. Our window tinting prices page gives an overview of the range, and the figure that counts comes from the dealer who would carry out the work.

Ask a local tinter whether they carry Kepler film or can get it with a quick quote

Looking after ceramic film is mostly about what you clean it with. Give the film time to settle after fitting, then avoid ammonia-based cleaners and anything abrasive, and wipe with a soft cloth and a mild solution. Full instructions are on our "how to clean window tint" page.

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Installers generally check film performance with an IR lamp or meter, which shows how the film responds to infrared energy. At home you can do a rough comparison on a sunny day: lower the window and let the sun fall on your arm, then raise it and feel the difference through the glass. It's not a measurement, but it gives you a sense of what the film is doing.

We also supply residential and commercial safety and security films. View security window film

Illinois sets the rules for tinted vehicle glass, and they apply in Park Forest as they do across the state, with different limits for different windows. For the detail, see our window tint laws page. Choosing a film and staying road legal are two separate decisions, so agree the shade with your installer before any work starts.

Against dyed film, ceramic is built to hold its color and performance rather than drifting purple over time. Against metallized film, it's non-metallic, so it doesn't bring the signal interference a metal layer can cause with GPS, phone and radio reception. And against plain glass, the difference in heat and glare on a sunny afternoon is what most drivers notice first. Ask for the technical data on the exact film and shade so you're comparing the same thing.

Ceramic sits at the top of the tint range because of the materials involved. Nano-ceramic particles handle infrared heat without a metal layer, so the film keeps a clean, neutral finish and stays clear of your electronics. For drivers who want the appearance and the performance to last, it's the range worth looking at first.

Kepler supplies window film; independent installers handle their own customers and bookings. Use the dealer finder to see listings for Illinois, or ask a local tinter whether they carry Kepler film or can get it. If you approach a shop yourself, ask whether they can source and install Kepler film for your vehicle.