Best Window Tinting in Toronto: Why We Exclusively Install XPEL (2026 Guide)
Looking for the best window tinting in the GTA? Here is what makes XPEL window film the gold standard, what Ontario's tint laws actually say, and what to expect at our Etobicoke shop.
By Advanced Vehicle Guard··
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TL;DR
Looking for the best window tinting in Toronto? Two things matter most: the film brand and the installer.
Film brand: XPEL ceramic and carbon films are the top choice for heat rejection, UV protection, fade resistance, and signal-friendliness. We install XPEL exclusively at Advanced Vehicle Guard.
Installer: A certified shop with a clean, dust-free bay and Ontario-tint-law expertise.
Cost in Toronto: $300–$700 for a full vehicle in XPEL ceramic, depending on vehicle size and tint shade.
Advanced Vehicle Guard at 222 Evans Ave, Etobicoke is an XPEL-certified installer serving Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Vaughan, Markham, Oakville, Burlington, North York, Scarborough, and the wider GTA.
Why We Only Install XPEL Window Film
There are dozens of window film brands on the market — most are dyed films, lower-grade carbon films, or generic "ceramic" labelled films from offshore suppliers. After years of installing different brands, we standardized on XPEL for one reason: it's the only film we'd trust on our own vehicles for the next decade.
Specifically, we install:
XPEL Prime XR Plus — top-tier nano-ceramic film. Maximum heat rejection (up to 98% infrared rejection), excellent clarity, lifetime warranty against fading, peeling, and bubbling.
XPEL Prime XR Black — premium carbon film. Strong heat rejection, deeper black tone, lifetime warranty.
XPEL Prime CS — entry ceramic. Strong performance at a more accessible price.
We do not install dyed films, generic ceramic films, or unbranded products. They yellow, bubble, and lose performance within 3–5 years — exactly when our customers expect their tint to still look new.
What Makes XPEL Better Than Generic "Ceramic" Tint?
The phrase "ceramic tint" has been diluted by manufacturers slapping the word on regular dyed films with a thin ceramic top coat. Real ceramic tint uses nano-sized ceramic particles distributed throughout the film. XPEL Prime XR Plus uses a true multi-layer nano-ceramic construction that delivers:
Ready to book Window Tinting?
Expert PPF, ceramic coating, wraps, and detailing — serving all of Greater Toronto from our Etobicoke shop.
Up to 98% infrared (IR) heat rejection — the heat you actually feel, not just UV
99% UV blocking — meaningful skin and interior protection
70%+ total solar energy rejection at darker shades
Zero metal content — won't interfere with cell signals, GPS, toll transponders, or radar detectors
No colour shift over time — won't turn purple like dyed films
Lifetime warranty — covers fading, peeling, bubbling, and delamination
Cheap "ceramic" films advertise similar numbers on paper but fail to deliver in real-world heat tests, and almost universally fail within 5 years.
Ontario Window Tint Laws (2026)
Before tinting, know what's legal. Ontario's Highway Traffic Act regulates Visible Light Transmission (VLT — the percentage of light that passes through):
Window
Minimum Legal VLT
Notes
Windshield
No tint allowed below the AS-1 line
Strip tint above the line is permitted
Front side windows (driver/passenger)
**70% VLT**
Must let in at least 70% of light
Rear side windows
No legal minimum
Can be as dark as you want (limo tint legal)
Rear windshield
No legal minimum
Can be as dark as you want
SUV / van rear privacy glass
Often pre-tinted
Additional tint allowed
In practice, this means most customers in Toronto choose:
35% VLT all around (some "stretching" of the front side rule but commonly accepted in practice)
70% VLT front, 20–35% rear (the strictly legal option, the rear is what people see)
Limo tint (5%) rear only, factory rear glass for SUVs
We'll explain the legal options at consultation and recommend what's legally compliant for your daily driving. We don't install illegal tint on the windshield or below 70% on front sides — the police checks are real, and an illegal tint will cost you a ticket and a re-tint fee.
XPEL Window Tinting Pricing in Toronto (2026)
Pricing depends on:
Vehicle size (sedan vs SUV vs pickup vs full-size SUV)
Number of windows (most modern cars have 5–7 windows being tinted)
Film grade (Prime CS vs Prime XR Black vs Prime XR Plus)
Whether old tint needs to be removed first
Approximate ranges for full vehicle (all 4–5 side windows + rear)
Vehicle
XPEL Prime CS
XPEL Prime XR Black
XPEL Prime XR Plus
2-door coupe
$300–$400
$400–$500
$500–$650
4-door sedan
$350–$450
$450–$600
$550–$750
SUV / Crossover
$400–$550
$550–$700
$650–$850
Pickup truck
$400–$550
$550–$700
$650–$850
Full-size SUV / Van
$500–$650
$650–$800
$800–$1,000
Add-ons
Old tint removal: $80–$200 (depending on age and how many windows)
Tesla rear glass (single piece): +$100–$150 due to size and complexity
We provide a written quote during a free consultation — no pressure to book.
Why "Cheap Tint" Costs You More Long-Term
A $150 full-vehicle tint job in Toronto sounds tempting until year three. Common failures:
Purple bubble film — dyed films oxidize and turn purple. Visible from 100 feet away. Re-tint cost: $400–$700.
Bubbling and peeling — adhesive failure. Either you live with it or pay for full removal + re-tint.
No warranty — when the film fails, the shop is often closed or refuses to honour the install.
Damaged defrost lines — improper removal of failed tint scratches and breaks the rear window heater grid.
A real XPEL ceramic tint at $500–$700 lasts the life of the vehicle and is backed by XPEL's manufacturer warranty (registered to your VIN at our shop).
Heat Rejection: The Real Reason People Tint
UV protection and privacy are nice. The real reason Toronto drivers tint is heat. A vehicle parked in a Toronto summer sun reaches 60–70°C inside within 30 minutes. XPEL Prime XR Plus rejects up to 98% of infrared heat — the spectrum that actually heats your car.
Real-world impact:
AC reaches comfortable temperature in 60–90 seconds instead of 5–8 minutes
Steering wheel and seats stay touchable in summer
Interior plastics and leather last years longer (no UV-induced cracking)
Less AC use = better fuel economy / EV range in summer
For Tesla, BMW i-series, and other EV owners — the range improvement from reduced AC load is measurable.
Why Customers Choose Advanced Vehicle Guard for Window Tinting
XPEL exclusively — no compromises on film quality
XPEL-certified installation — the warranty is registered to your vehicle on completion
Climate-controlled bay — dust and temperature affect adhesive curing
Computer-cut precision templates — perfect fit, no razor cuts on glass
Ontario-legal recommendations — we'll tell you what's legal and what's not
Old tint removal — we handle removal of failed/aged film cleanly
Book a free window tint consultation at Advanced Vehicle Guard. We'll inspect your vehicle, explain the legal options, recommend the right XPEL film for your goals, and provide a written quote.
We're located at 222 Evans Ave, Etobicoke, and serve the entire Greater Toronto Area including Toronto, Mississauga, Brampton, Vaughan, Markham, Richmond Hill, Oakville, Burlington, North York, Scarborough, Hamilton, Ajax, Pickering, Whitby, and Oshawa.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: How long does window tinting take?
A full vehicle in XPEL ceramic takes 2–4 hours. Trucks and full-size SUVs take longer. We'll give you an estimate during the consultation.
Q: Can I roll my windows down right after?
No — leave them up for 3–5 days while the adhesive cures. Rolling them down can lift the edge and cause peeling.
Q: Will window tint affect my visibility at night?
Legal-compliant tint (70% VLT front, 20–35% rear) has minimal impact on night visibility. Going below the legal limit on front windows reduces night visibility significantly and isn't worth it.
Q: Does XPEL tint affect my cell signal or radar detector?
No — XPEL ceramic films are 100% metal-free. Cell signals, GPS, toll transponders, and radar detectors all work normally.
Q: Will tint protect against window break-ins?
Standard tint film offers minor resistance to glass breakage. For real anti-smash protection, ask about XPEL Security Film — a thicker, dedicated security film. We can install it together with regular tint or as a standalone.
Q: Do you remove old tint?
Yes — we charge $80–$200 depending on age and number of windows. We use safe steam removal that won't damage defrost lines or window seals.
Q: Do you serve [my city]?
We serve the entire GTA from our Etobicoke shop. Most clients drive 15–30 minutes to us; we're conveniently located near the QEW and Gardiner.