Types of curtains
Each category of sun protection products for cars has its own characteristics that must be taken into account. In order not to enter into unnecessary disputes with traffic police officers, it is worth studying in detail each type of curtains for the rear or front windows of a car.
Sunscreens
These products are very inexpensive, about 150 rubles for two screens. These universal accessories are suitable for all types of cars, from cars to trucks. Installation is extremely simple, since the products are held on the glass with Velcro. This makes the screens easy to remove and reinstall.
However, such curtains for cars have several significant disadvantages. Firstly, they do not cover the entire window completely, so they only perform a 60% protective function. In addition, such screens look very awkward on luxury cars.
Plastic curtains
Such protective products for cars are usually rolled up (similar to blinds). This means that, if necessary, you can very quickly open the window if you encounter a traffic police post on the way. To install such products, it is enough to install several self-tapping screws or special hooks on which they will be held. However, due to the roll-up design of this universal type (you won’t be able to select it based on the car model) of car curtains, they cannot cover the entire window. In addition, such screens are made of short-lived plastic, which fades and deforms very quickly.
Such accessories cost from 1,000 to 1,500 rubles. And if a traffic police officer notices that the screens are down, then you are guaranteed to have to pay another 500 rubles.
Sliding fabric curtains
Such products can be compared to ordinary curtains that hang on the windows of houses. Textile car curtains are attached using the same principle - using hooks that move along guides located at the top of the car window. The convenience of using sliding curtains is that as the fabric fades, the material can be replaced. In addition, they are easy to open and close. However, the driver will have minimal visibility, since in this case the entire window is covered with opaque material.
Another disadvantage of fabric products is that they stand out too much and visually reduce the space of the car interior. In addition, law enforcement officers especially do not like such sliding curtains, so again you will have to constantly drive in fear of saying goodbye to another 500 rubles.
Frame curtains
These products are made from a frame that is shaped exactly like the window of a specific car brand. A mesh material is stretched along the perimeter of the wire base, which simultaneously protects the driver from sunlight and does not interfere with visibility.
In this case, frame curtains are not attached to the glass itself, but to the window frame, so the use of such products is not a violation of the law. If the light transmittance of the screens meets the standards, then no traffic police officer will be able to count their use as an offense.
This is interesting: Choosing a tee for the car cigarette lighter
In addition, installing frame curtains does not require any effort. Mesh screens are attached using several magnets and metal corners. Such products look very stylish, as they fit perfectly into any car interior.
The cost of products, as a rule, ranges from 2,500 to 5,000 rubles for 2 screens for the front side windows. Moreover, their service life is much longer when compared with other analogues.
However, when choosing such a replacement tint film, you should pay attention to the refraction and distortion of light. As mentioned earlier, it is very difficult to find quality products of this type, but it is possible
Choosing the color of car curtains
To a greater extent, people are guided by their own taste, which, according to professionals, is not entirely correct. They advise giving preference to a color that matches the body tone. Since the curtains are visible not only inside the cabin, but also outside. Bright colors are typical for autoladies. Men are characterized by restraint and sophistication.
The popularity of a useful accessory in the form of car curtains that provide darkness and comfort for passengers when driving and parking is gaining popularity. The car instantly takes on a status-like appearance inside and out. Installing the structure on the front side windows of a car can be done with your own hands quickly and without any particular difficulties.
Can a fine be considered unreasonable?
Many drivers believe that traffic police officers and its divisions are acting unlawfully when they demand that the owner of the vehicle pay a fine.
According to explanations given by specialists in the field of administrative law, traffic police officers do not have the right to fine motorists who have curtains or a thick mosquito net attached to the rear window. You can be fined for curtains on the side windows. It all depends on the traffic police inspector and on you. You can try to prove that the curtains are used only in the parking lot, and the rest of the time they are open.
Persons who do not want to give up curtains and mosquito nets are advised to:
- use curtains/mosquito nets made in accordance with GOST: they should not block the viewing angle;
- their transparency should not be less than 70%.
By the way
The fine introduced for the use of tinted windows helped reduce mortality statistics on Russian roads. According to traffic police data, in 2014 the number of accidents decreased by 3 times (compared to 2013). In the new year 2020, more favorable forecasts await Russians.
Legality of installing curtains
In accordance with traffic regulations, the use of elements that limit the driver's view of the roadway is not permitted. The following will attract the attention of the traffic police inspector: curtains for car windows, blinds, mesh fabric and film.
It is not prohibited to darken a windshield that is more than 140 mm wide. The ability to transmit sunlight should not be less than 70%.
The law does not prohibit the use of curtains; installing them on rear windows is permitted. However, during the trip the window must be open, and when in a parking lot, it is allowed to use the product; there will be no complaints from the police against the driver.
Are there fines for car curtains?
For installing car curtains in places where they should not be, the law provides for an administrative warning or a fine of 500 rubles. In addition to fines, the curtains themselves may be confiscated from the violator.
Representatives of the law have the right to demand that the car windows be removed from protection on the spot. If the order is not followed, the driver will be fined 1,000 rubles, and may also face arrest for 15 days due to disobedience to the requirements of a police inspector.
PVC curtains for the gazebo.
Today, PVC curtains deserve very good reviews from owners of summer cottages with gazebos. Such curtains serve as a 100% barrier from negative natural phenomena and protection from both insects and rain, dust, leaves, strong wind, snow, cold (they are able to protect internal heat, and if necessary, you can even install an electric fireplace in the room), they able to withstand temperatures from - 40 to + 60 degrees.
Such curtains are very light and at the same time durable, they have all the advantages of polyvinyl chloride (PVC) materials. They can be used all year round.
They are completely transparent, so you will feel in contact with nature naturally. But they have one significant drawback - they do not allow air to pass through.
What are car curtains
Car curtains are removable pieces of thin mesh fabric that follow the shape of car windows. They are installed from the inside (from the cabin) and have a certain degree of transparency, allowing you to see everything that is happening outside. The curtains feel like a complete replacement for tinting.
If tinting is a coating that is applied once and for all (even a colored film cannot be easily removed), then the curtains can be installed or removed at any time at the request of the owner.
In hot weather, you can lower the windows without removing the curtains, which will allow you to ventilate the interior without letting in the sun's rays and without losing a level of privacy
In addition to purely decorative duties, providing a certain privacy and some darkening in the cabin, increasing coziness and comfort, the curtains protect from the scorching rays of the sun, which blind the eyes and fade the trim.
From the outside, a car with curtains on the windows is difficult to distinguish from a tinted one, but the properties of a special fabric or mesh are much more attractive. For example, the ability to quickly install or remove them from the glass will help during discussions with the traffic police inspector, while it will not be possible to deal with tinting without replacing the glass. In addition, unlike tinting, there is a large selection of curtains that can be changed at least every day.
Appearance and purpose
Most car owners don't like it when the car's interior is clearly visible from the street. Passers-by look into the windows and ask something. Tinted car windows are prohibited, and drivers install screens on their car's front windows instead of tinting.
To ensure that the light filter, dimensions and shape of the mesh frame match, they are made for a specific car brand.
Automatic curtains are used by drivers to:
- block access to someone else's view;
- improve the appearance of the car;
- protect the car interior from overheating;
- protect the upholstery from direct sunlight.
In addition, the glass curtain has several significant advantages:
- plays the role of a mosquito net, preventing insects from entering the cabin;
- dissipates the flow of wind, there will be no draft when the window is open;
- smokers can purchase special curtains with magnetic corners.
The mesh is a removable design. It is installed depending on weather conditions or driver preferences due to a unique and simple mounting principle. Clips made of plastic are mounted in the glass seal. They hold the net. This method is a definite advantage, because you do not need to dismantle the door trim or use glue, which will save money. It’s easy to install the curtain yourself, without going to a car service.
Frame car blinds retain their position even when the windows are lowered. This allows the car owner to breathe fresh air without removing the frame.
There are several disadvantages:
- you won’t be able to put your elbow on the window;
- when the window is open, dust and dirt will settle on the mesh;
- the frame structure cannot be rolled up; you need to think about where it will be stored;
- visibility in the rear seats is worse due to the angle of refraction;
- if the auto curtain is selected incorrectly, a rattling sound can be heard while driving;
- if the light transmittance of the mesh does not meet the standards, it is good if the inspector limits himself to a fine. In the worst case, this can cause an accident.
The Trokot and Laitovo nets are loved by drivers due to the quality of their products. Curtains on cars have no flaws, and their service life is 5 years.
Car curtains and their varieties
Modern manufacturers present a wide variety of models on the market. These include frame, sliding, screen, and roller blinds. According to their purpose, they are blackout and sunscreen. Depending on the installation location, there are products for the windshield, rear window, side windows, and universal ones. There are many options, but they have one purpose - to protect the interior of the car.
Purpose of curtains
Curtains can perform various functions. They protect the interior from the penetration of sunlight. They act as a security guard, hiding things left in the car from prying eyes. If a potential fraudster does not see the contents of the salon, he will not attempt to steal them. There are people who simply don’t like prying eyes, so curtains can also protect from curious onlookers. The products are easy to clean and wash.
Frame models
When the ban on tinting was introduced, frame models of curtains appeared. After installation, the screen fits tightly to the car glass, thereby preventing the penetration of the sun, insects and dust particles.
Externally, these curtains look like a frame with fabric around the perimeter. An important advantage is the complete covering of the car windows. The shape of the frame completely follows the contours of the windows, which allows you to completely cover a section of glass. Installation of such models does not take much time. The type of fastening is as follows:
Manufacturers produce curtains taking into account the size of the window opening of various car models. A frame curtain cannot be called tinting, but it significantly limits the flow of sunlight.
Sliding models
Affordable, simple and one of the popular models, the sliding curtain is a curtain that is attached to the curtain rods. They can be installed permanently or fixed for a while.
When the windows are lowered, the curtains do not interfere with movement. Various fabric options are used, in most cases it is a lightweight knitted material. Similar models are often installed on the rear windows of a car.
Screens
The screen is a rigid base made of fabric or plastic. The main disadvantage is incomplete coverage, as a result of which the sun's rays penetrate into the car's interior. Suction cup mounts prevent car windows from rolling down. Therefore, they are used in most cases on fixed windows or for rear doors. Such curtains are unpretentious and can be quickly dismantled and are affordable.
Varieties
If you do not take into account various sun-reflective coatings or plastic glass covers, several categories can be distinguished from the whole variety.
Most often found on domestic roads:
- Classic (sliding) - the most common fabric removable car curtains, fixed to the windows using 2 horizontal curtain rods. The main advantage of this product is the ability to match the body color.
Options for a two-layer sample are allowed, where the street one matches the car, and the inner one is combined with the tonality of the interior. Such curtains can make a car stand out not only by its appearance, but also by its layout with all kinds of clamps of various types. The main disadvantage is that when fully extended, they do not allow the driver to see what is happening on the side of his car.
- Screen ones are considered the most affordable and simplest option for protection from prying eyes and sunlight. Installation of the grids is carried out using silicone suction cups that are fixed directly to the glass.
One of the advantages is the low cost, and the disadvantage is that they do not cover the entire window area. Most often, such products are sold in the shape of a rectangle with beveled corners, so you can’t count on complete protection here. Suction cups of poor quality do not allow us to talk about this product as a model that can provide serious competition, since they quickly become unusable.
- Roll - in comparison with analogues, they can be called a mobile version, since they work on the principle of a roll mechanism and open in one movement.
Based on the cost, they are slightly superior to screens, but are not without obvious drawbacks. First of all, it should be noted that rolls are manufactured according to standard sizes, which does not provide a guarantee that the window opening will be completely closed. In addition, due to the aforementioned folding mechanism, they wear out quickly. Therefore, they are enough for no more than 1 year.
- Frame - in this segment they are considered a “premium class” product. This is explained by the fact that complete closure of the window opening is ensured, since production concentrates on the manufacture of models intended directly for a specific brand of car.
Their presence does not interfere with lowering and raising the glass; in addition, they provide reliable protection against insects. They look like a frame with a stretched perforated mesh, the cells of which can be of different diameters.
Fixation is carried out in two ways:
- On hooks held by the door seal.
- On magnets, the price of which is slightly higher, since they are easier to install and further operate.
Purpose of curtains
The best option today can be called “TROKOT” car curtains. Each model of this brand is a rigid rubberized frame covered with a special mesh. The products are well-thought-out: the curtains are securely mounted and, if necessary, dismantled in just a few seconds, do not obstruct the view and provide an optimal light transmission of 75-80%. In addition, Trokot car blinds do not interfere with raising/lowering the windows, and their installation does not compromise the integrity of the car’s interior trim.
TROKOT car curtains are not really curtains. This design is a rigid rubberized frame with a stretched dense mesh and rightfully deserves the name “sunscreen”. This type of tinting turns out to be more convenient than traditional film, as it allows the owner to remove and install the curtains at any time. A significant advantage is the darkening of the interior even with the windows down, which will allow you to ventilate the interior and remain unnoticed by prying eyes!
Advantages and disadvantages of tinting
The popularity of car window tinting is facilitated by the numerous advantages of shaded surfaces, because they:
- do not allow excess sunlight to pass through, which is good for the vision of the driver and passengers;
- do not allow the interior trim to fade;
- make the atmosphere cooler;
- protect from the curious glances of strangers;
- give the car a more attractive look.
Tinting is not without its disadvantages:
- the coating does not last forever, and after burning out it loses many of its advantages;
- easily damaged;
- interferes with the view of the road for the driver of a car driving behind a tinted car;
- its presence leads to conflicts with traffic police officers.
And besides, the procedure is quite expensive if the film is of high quality.
We recommend reading about the traffic police fine for tinting. From the article you will learn about the rules for choosing tinting, measuring the degree of glass tinting, and fines for tinting. Find out more about the rules for vehicle inspection here.
Don't throw money away
With all the above disadvantages, the mesh costs a little less than a good athermal tint. And sometimes – even more. Drivers who know about the imaginary “advantages” of the mesh only from other people’s mouths often first decide to install it, and then remove it and throw it in the trunk, lamenting the wasted money.
Is it worth joining them? Is it worth paying several thousand rubles for a practically useless thing? Think carefully. After all, in fact, you are buying an ordinary mosquito net, competently advertised by sellers. Isn’t it better to avoid unnecessary expenses and immediately order high-quality tinting?
Make an appointment for glass tinting by phone. Average tinting time is 70 minutes. Tinting price starts from RUB 2,200. Hurry up and get toned. Call and make an appointment!
Checking the battery with a load fork
Checking the functionality of the battery charge using a load plug allows you to determine the functionality of the battery being used on the machine. This load plug must be connected to the battery with correct polarity. If the load plug shows the battery charge at 12-13 V, this indicates high-quality charging of the battery and its ability to work under load. If during such a test the voltage drops below 9 V, then such a battery is unreliable and is considered unsuitable for use.
Rating of the best manufacturers of sun blinds
| Nomination | place | Name of product | minimum price | rating |
| Rating of the best manufacturers of sun blinds | 1 | 2 950 ₽ | 5.0 | |
| 2 | 915 ₽ | 4.9 | ||
| 3 | 1 100 ₽ | 4.8 | ||
| 4 | 180 ₽ | 4.7 | ||
| 5 | 1 148 ₽ | 4.6 |
TROKOT
Rating: 5.0
The young Russian company TROKOT was founded in 2012. The founders of the company decided to rely on frame sun screens as an alternative to auto glass tinting. Production began in a small garage of 20 square meters. m, in a month it was possible to produce up to 25 sets. Today, the monthly plan has exceeded 8,000 sets, and new materials and technologies are being used to improve quality. Product supplies have been established not only to the regions of the country, but also to Armenia, Germany, Israel and Sweden. Experts appreciated the progress in the company’s work, giving the brand the laurels of the winner.
Car enthusiasts had many complaints about the first curtains, but the manufacturer even went so far as to replace them with new models after 3-4 years. The ease of installation and removal is commendable.
- reliable protection from prying eyes;
- simple installation;
- good quality;
- attractive look.
I have to wait a long time for my order.
Skyway
Rating: 4.9
The Chinese brand Skyway began conquering the vast Russian market in 2012 from the regions of Siberia. With 20 years of experience behind it, the company very quickly increased its sales volumes. If in 2012 the number of automobile accessories was only 40 items, then by 2021 this figure has increased to 3892. Today, the brand has sales offices in 40 cities of our country, where a wide range of sun blinds is presented. Experts included the brand in our rating for its affordable prices, interesting designs, and stylish appearance.
Russian motorists note the effectiveness of Skyway sunscreens, the ability to adjust to window dimensions and attractive prices. Among the shortcomings, the most often mentioned is poor glue on the fasteners.
- affordable price;
- efficiency;
- stylish appearance;
- easy installation.
bad glue on fastenings.
EscO
Rating: 4.8
In the mid-price category, EscO sunblinds occupy a leading position. The manufacturer uses high-quality mesh that retains its elasticity for many years. It is noteworthy that the company’s employees decided to promote their products through social networks. Over the course of a couple of years, thousands of clients became interested in curtains, and dozens more entrepreneurs offered cooperation. The catalog contains curtains for a wide range of cars, including domestic VAZ and UAZ cars. After analyzing reviews on thematic sites, the magazine’s editors came to the conclusion that the brand is the most popular in our country.
Most often, users consider the optimal ratio of price and quality. Some car enthusiasts had difficulties with installation; the curtains do not always fit in size.
- reasonable price;
- good quality;
- reliable materials;
- high popularity.
inaccurate dimensions.
PHANTOM
Rating: 4.7
The Chinese manufacturer of sun blinds PHANTOM has come up with the most original mounting method. The screen is held on the glass by electrostatic attraction. The light weight of the mesh prevents it from falling while moving. The curtain does not interfere with opening the windows, and after removal there are no marks left on the glass. Experts included the brand in our review for its uniqueness, simplicity and affordability. Unfortunately, the catalog is limited to a few standard sizes, so choosing the perfect curtain for the window is problematic.
Users note the simple method of fastening, ease of use, and affordability. They are dissatisfied with the small size and the presence of a hazy effect, due to which the visibility of the road situation in bad weather deteriorates.
- original fastening;
- ease;
- leaves no traces of glue;
- convenient to use.
- small sizes;
- Visibility deteriorates.
Laitovo
Rating: 4.6
The German company Laitovo is a large manufacturer of sun screens for car windows. Products are supplied to the EU, USA, Asia and the Middle East. There are more than 50 branded stores in Russia. Experts consider the main advantages of curtains to be strength (which is provided by the steel frame) and durability (thanks to wear-resistant fabric). The manufacturer's catalog contains products for a huge number of brands and models of cars.
Owners of domestic Lada cars are not deprived of attention. You can choose a curtain not only for classics, but also for new AvtoVAZ products (Vesta, Xray).
Russian motorists praise the German brand for its competent advertising, high-quality mesh, and speed of installation and removal. But the quality still needs work, and visibility deteriorates in bad weather.
DIY frame curtains
Many car enthusiasts prefer to tint their car windows. This is partly caused by fear for the safety of property, when it is more comfortable to realize that the contents of the cabin are hidden from prying eyes, and partly by the desire to reduce the penetration of sunlight during the hot season. In addition, tinted glass looks impressive. However, the abuse of film tinting today is not welcomed by executive authorities, which forces them to come up with new ways to solve the problem of the “aquarium” of a car.
Recently, alternatives such as:
1. Removable tint, which is based on silicone. It is convenient with simple fastening and equally simple removal, which is indispensable when you need to quickly remove it from the glass. In addition, this tint does not leave marks on the glass. But along with the advantages, there is one significant drawback that limits its use: this material is not used in the winter season.
2. Frame curtains. They are a curtain made of lining mesh. Special plastic clips are used for fastening. The advantages of this type of tinting are:
Frame curtains have a number of advantages, among which the following should be noted:
- Easy to install and easy to remove if necessary;
- Simplicity of design, which allows you to make frame curtains with your own hands if the store does not have a finished product for your car brand;
- Possibility of use even with the windows down, which is indispensable in vehicles not equipped with air conditioning;
- When driving with the windows down, the curtains create a barrier against piercing drafts and insects.
Of course, such tinting is not characterized by advantages alone. And above all, the disadvantage is the inability to fold or roll up the curtains, because... this will lead to deformation of the frame. It is best to provide in advance special cases in which they will be stored.
But it was not without its drawbacks. First of all, it is impossible to fold and roll the curtains, as this will lead to their deformation
Another disadvantage of the product is its uniqueness. The contour of the curtain must fit evenly and tightly to the line of the window, which means that each make of car and each of its models must have its own tinting frame. The manufacturer cannot provide for all variations and satisfy a single demand, so often finding a product that suits you is not easy, and not very cheap. For this reason, in some cases it is easier to make frame curtains yourself.
Another drawback that needs to be highlighted is the uniqueness of the curtains. Frame curtains are not produced for all types of cars, so if there are no suitable frame curtains for your car brand, you will have to make them yourself, or be content with a standard model
For independent production you will need the following materials:
1. The lining mesh is used as a base. The pattern and size of the cells can be very different, which allows you to choose the material to suit your taste. Its consumption for a crossover is from 2 to 3 sq. m.
2. To make the frame itself, you will need approximately 5 m of steel wire with a 3 mm cross-section.
3. Hemming is done with black braid. Its length corresponds to the size of the wire.
In order to get started, you first need to measure the window. Throw in a couple of millimeters in reserve. Based on the obtained dimensions, a rigid frame is prepared. You can use another option: bend the frame directly at the window of each door.
Next, the mesh is sewn onto the outline by hand or by machine. This stage should be given more attention, because... It is the quality of the work that influences the overall appearance of the product. At the end of the manufacturing process, a braid is sewn onto the curtain along the edge and a fastener is installed. For this purpose, you can use simple construction hooks placed both above and below. The fastening system will be based on the principle of installing mosquito nets on plastic home windows.
The process of making frame curtains is quite simple, and, in addition, doing it yourself will save you a tidy sum.
We recommend to your attention three useful videos that will show you how to make frame curtains with your own hands, how to install and fasten them:
Important information
Darkening the interior of a car can be done using tinting and a number of other methods, among which one of the most common is installing curtains.
This design is designed to close the window opening if necessary, and if the need for the opposite arises, the curtain can be quickly pulled back.
The basis of the curtain is a frame, inside of which the fabric is stretched. The frame of the structure can be attached to the window opening in various ways.
Common types of curtains include fabric, magnetic, frame, and retractable roller blinds.
Installation of any of these options is relatively simple, so any car enthusiast can do it.
At the same time, the law establishes the same standards for light admission for curtains as for tinting, so they must comply with them; no changes are provided for curtains in the rules.
Initial data
Blackout curtains are structures that are mounted on a window in various ways. Some of them are stationary, others are motionless. They are based on a frame on which the fabric is stretched.
The common property of these structures is that they remain in place even when the window is open. Therefore, they can be used for darkening by lowering the glass itself.
Installing curtains on windows is not a very complicated process, but it will take some work.
What is the benefit of dimming?
Dimming car windows provides a number of benefits to the driver and passengers:
| First of all, using shading | The car owner will be able to protect the interior from excessive solar radiation. The scorching rays can bring the temperature on the surface of the darker elements of the interior to 800. For example, it will be impossible to sit in such a chair, in addition, the car’s interior will lose its appearance. If there is darkness, the car interior will not overheat |
| In addition, dimming | Will also block harmful ultraviolet radiation |
| On the contrary, in winter | It will be possible to prevent heat loss from the interior, as the coating blocks infrared rays |
| With this finishing | The driver will be able to avoid exposure to the bright headlights of oncoming cars. |
| Additional layer of sound insulating material | Helps reduce the impact of outside noise, which will become less audible |
| Using dimming | Helps create a cozy environment, since what is happening inside is not visible from the outside |
| Finally, a well-chosen darkening option | Tinting or another method will significantly improve the appearance of the car. With its help, he will look more predatory and elegant |
Current regulatory framework
The current regulatory framework for tinting consists of the following regulations:
- Technical regulations adopted by the CU countries “On the safety of wheeled vehicles” (TR CU 018/2011).
- State standard, which describes the acceptable parameters for glass installed in cars and other land vehicles (GOST 32565-2013).
- Included in the Road Traffic Rules in the form of an appendix “Basic provisions for the approval of a vehicle for operation and the responsibilities of officials to ensure road safety.”
- Code of Administrative Offenses (CAO).
Car curtains instead of tinting - types, features and selection rules in 2021
A popular alternative to tinting among motorists is installing car curtains. On a hot summer day, they protect the car interior from exposure to sunlight. With their help, you can increase the level of comfort of the vehicle.
In this article we will review popular manufacturers, and also give useful tips on how not to go wrong with the choice of curtains.
