The rise in temperatures in Qatar has resulted in a spike in the demand for services such as car window tinting and thermal insulation, local Arabic daily Arrayah reports.
With different parts of Qatar experiencing temperatures in the mid-high 40s over the past few days, including Doha, many car owners have been visiting shops looking for tinting and insulation services in order to protect themselves and their families from the scorching sun.
Tinting also requires approval from the traffic authorities.
The Arrayah report states that the demand for installing thermal insulation systems in cars have risen by as much as 120-150% compared to the pre-summer months.
Most of the buyers of new cars are keen to install thermal insulation systems while existing vehicle users are coming to replace old insulators and tint films whose effectiveness has gone down with time.
Managers and salespersons at these shops said quality thermal insulation systems provide 100% protection against harmful rays, such as ultraviolet, while protecting the vehicle users from skin diseases. Also, they prevent the heat from entering the vehicle by 70-95%. Also, they protect cabins from the damage caused by high temperatures and exposure to the sunlight.
They also warned against unlicensed thermal insulation dealers who attract customers with low prices, stressing the dangers of going for this option. There is no guarantee for the insulation that they install and the quality of the film used is poor, they said.
The dealers pointed out that tinting and insulation are no longer considered luxuries and they are instead necessities, especially during the summer.
Sami al-Rabat, one of the dealers, said the General Directorate of Traffic is keen to follow up the work of all relevant companies in order to ensure that they adhere to the percentages of tinting, which can go up to 100% for rear windows and 10-20% for others.
They monitor whether the companies are committed to traffic laws and categorically refuse the request of customers to increase the percentage of tinting and applying tinting films from unauthorised places.
Tinting and insulation services are in high demand these days.