for front windshield (must be >75% VLT in most jurisdictions): sputtered metal oxide coating (spectrally selective, IR-rejecting, high VLT) nano-ceramic IR absorbing coating (absorbs NIR, transparent in visible) multilayer dielectric interference coating (reflects NIR/SWIR via thin-film stacks) indium tin oxide (ITO) coating (conductive, reflects LWIR, used in some automotive glass) for side/rear windows (can be lower VLT): dyed polyester film (absorbs visible + NIR, cheapest, least effective) carbon film (absorbs NIR, matte finish, no signal interference) sputtered metal film (reflects NIR, thin metal layers, can corrode) nano-ceramic film (absorbs IR, non-metallic, no signal interference, highest heat rejection per VLT) the front windshield legal option is essentially limited to nano-ceramic or sputtered metal oxide at >75% VLT. the nano-ceramic is better for signal transparency (no metal to block GPS/satellite/5G). the sputtered metal oxide gives slightly better IR rejection but can interfere with RF. the distinction between "absorbs" and "reflects" matters for heat: absorbing films re-radiate heat inward over time (the glass gets hot). reflecting films bounce the energy outward. for a desert drive, you want reflective coatings where possible, but the front windshield is limited by VLT requirements.