Heat Rejection Glass Or UV-Cut Glass – Feature Explained

What Is Heat Rejection Glass / UV-Cut Glass?

Heat Rejection Glass and UV-Cut Glass are types of automotive window glass designed with special properties to block specific parts of the sun’s rays. Instead of just being clear glass, they are engineered to filter out a significant amount of infrared (heat) radiation and ultraviolet (UV) radiation before it enters your car’s cabin. This is different from a simple window tint film, as the properties are built into the glass itself during manufacturing.

How Does Heat Rejection Glass / UV-Cut Glass Work?

These specialised glasses work through advanced technologies integrated into their layers:

1. Special Coatings/Compounds: During the manufacturing process, the glass is either treated with special metallic oxides or compounds, or multiple layers of glass are laminated with interlayers that have heat- and UV-blocking properties.
2. Infrared (Heat) Rejection: The “Heat Rejection” aspect means the glass reflects or absorbs a large portion of the sun’s infrared rays, which are responsible for the feeling of heat. By doing this, less heat enters the car, keeping the interior cooler.
3. Ultraviolet (UV) Protection: The “UV-Cut” aspect means the glass effectively blocks most of the sun’s harmful ultraviolet (UVA and UVB) rays. These are the rays that cause skin damage, premature ageing, and fading of interior materials.
4. Selective Filtering: Importantly, this special glass is designed to block heat and UV rays without significantly reducing the amount of visible light entering the cabin. This ensures clear visibility for the driver and passengers.

What Are The Pros And Cons Of Heat Rejection Glass / UV-Cut Glass?

Here are the pros, or advantages, of Heat Rejection Glass / UV-Cut Glass:

• Superior Heat Control: Effectively keeps the cabin cooler, reducing the workload on your car’s air conditioning system and leading to potential fuel savings (or extended EV range).
• Protection from Harmful UV Rays: Shields occupants from skin damage (sunburn, ageing, skin cancer risk) and protects the car’s interior materials (dashboard, upholstery) from fading and cracking over time.
• Enhanced Comfort: Reduces glare and prevents the “sun-baked” feeling, making journeys more comfortable for everyone inside.
• Clear Visibility: Unlike many aftermarket tint films, this glass maintains high transparency for visible light, ensuring clear vision for the driver.
• No Legality Issues: As this is part of the original glass manufacturing, it generally complies with regulations on visual light transmission (VLT), unlike aftermarket tint films or curtains.

Here are the cons, or disadvantages, of Heat Rejection Glass / UV-Cut Glass:

• Higher Cost: Vehicles equipped with this type of glass can be slightly more expensive.
• Replacement Cost: If the glass breaks, replacing it with another specialised panel can be more costly than standard car glass.
• Not 100% Blockage: While highly effective, no glass can block 100% of heat and UV rays, but it significantly reduces their impact.

Can Heat Rejection Glass / UV-Cut Glass Be Installed From The Aftermarket?

Unless you plan on replacing all the windshield and windows in your car with heat rejection or UV-cut glass from a higher variant, which can be a very expensive affair, it is generally not possible to fit this type of glass from the aftermarket. Heat Rejection Glass or UV-Cut Glass are manufactured with unique properties embedded within their layers or special coatings applied during the glass-making process itself.

However, aftermarket solutions exist in the form of high-quality window films (tints) that offer similar heat and UV rejection properties. These films are applied on top of existing car windows. When considering aftermarket films, it’s crucial to ensure they comply with local regulations regarding Visual Light Transmission (VLT), as many high heat-rejection films can also reduce visible light and might be illegal if they fall below the mandated VLT percentages (70% for front/rear windshields, 50% for side windows in India, as per the Supreme Court ruling).

Legality Of Heat Rejection Glass / UV-Cut Glass In India

Factory-fitted Heat Rejection Glass and UV-Cut Glass are legal in India. The Supreme Court’s 2012 ban on tinted films or any material obstructing window visibility specifically targeted aftermarket films and other coverings that reduce the Visual Light Transmission (VLT) beyond a specified limit.

Because Heat Rejection Glass and UV-Cut Glass are engineered during the glass manufacturing process itself to block heat and UV rays without significantly impeding visible light, they typically meet the required VLT percentages (70% for windshields, 50% for side windows). This means they are compliant with the law and do not pose the same legal risks as aftermarket tint films or curtains that reduce visibility beyond legal limits.

Affordable Cars In India That Offer Heat Rejection Glass / UV-Cut Glass?

While once exclusive to luxury vehicles, Heat Rejection Glass and UV-Cut Glass are becoming increasingly common across various segments in India, often as a standard feature or part of higher variants.

• Maruti Suzuki: Many of their newer models like the Baleno, Grand Vitara and Brezza, especially in their higher variants, offer UV-Cut glass.
• Hyundai: Models like the Creta, Verna, and Venue in their mid-to-top variants often feature UV-Cut glass.
• Kia: Similarly, the Seltos and Sonet come with UV-Cut glass in their mid-to-high variants.
• Tata Motors: Newer models like the Nexon and Harrier/Safari often include heat-rejecting properties in their glass on higher trims.

Availability can vary based on the specific model year and trim level, so it’s always advisable to check the latest specifications from the manufacturer or dealership.

Also Read: Hill Start Assist Or Hill Hold Control - Feature Explained

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