Car sun shades are an important accessory for any car owner who wishes to protect themselves and their vehicle from prolonged sun exposure. Sunlight contains harmful UV rays that cause the risk for cancer and other skin related diseases. Car sun shades ensure UV protection by blocking over 99% of the sun’s harmful rays.
The choice of selecting an appropriate car sun shade is paramount. This blog will compare two popular types of car window cover materials: fabric and reflective. We’ll examine their form, applications, advantages, and drawbacks to help you make an informed decision.
Fabric vs. Reflective Car Window Covers
Fabric Car Shades
- Material
Such types of car sun shades are typically made of polyester or nylon. These fabrics are known for their strength and flexibility. They can withstand daily use fairly well. Moreover, their outer regions are lined with a soft, non-abrasive material to prevent scratching.
- Applications
Fabric car shades are designed to be versatile. They are flexible and can be folded up relatively easily to support easy storage. Some companies like Enovoe and Britax even provide custom-fit shades for different vehicle models.
- Advantages
- Easy Storage: The material allows for the covers to be easily folded thus supporting easy storage.
- Soft Lining: The outer soft lining protects the car’s interior from scratching.
- Variety of Designs: Due to the fabric material, there is a wide variety of available colors and designs.
- Custom Fit: Fabric covers can be tailor-made to suit each car model.
- Disadvantages
- Heat Absorption: Due to its fabric material, these covers absorb more heat preventing effective temperature control.
- Less Durable: Due to its fabric material, they are prone to getting faded due to long sunlight exposure.
- Bulky Storage: Some fabric covers can still be bulky when folded, taking up more storage space.
Reflective Car Shades
- Material
Reflective car window covers, on the other hand, are usually made from reflective materials like aluminum foil or a similar reflective coating on a polyester base. These materials are specifically designed to reflect sunlight, reducing the amount of heat that penetrates the car.
- Applications
Due to their reflective surfaces, such types of shades are effective in extremely hot weather. Their reflective covering reduces heat accumulation inside the car.
- Advantages
- Temperature Control: They excel at reflecting sunlight, significantly reducing the internal temperature of the car.
- Durability: Due to their strong polyester base, reflective covers are more durable.
- Disadvantages
- Rigidity: Due to their rigid material, their installation can be more troublesome.
- Storage Space: Their rigid material causes them to not be as foldable as fabric covers thus taking more storage space.
- Limited Designs: These covers are usually silver or metallic, offering relatively fewer design choices.
To conclude, both fabric and reflective car shades offer their own set of unique pros and cons. On one hand, fabric covers are more flexible and easy to store, making them a convenient choice for everyday use. On the other hand, we have reflective covers, which ensure temperature control offering a more comfortable drive. They can be extremely useful in hot climates thus making them a more practical choice.
Ultimately, the final choice of fabric vs. reflective car window covers depends on your set of needs and the climate conditions of the region you reside in. Understanding the differences between both products can help you make a more informed decision that best suits your lifestyle and keeps your car protected and coold.
