With the arrival of the good days and away from the rains and storms, something that we really want is to go out with our car to enjoy a trip or, simply, to do it on the road. And for that, those who are lucky enough to have a sunroof in their car is more than useful . Now, if we don’t have it as standard, can we include it on our own?
The sunroof of the car, increasingly requested
Increasingly in demand, the sunroof is one of the most sought-after items of car equipment , and everything goes beyond safety or comfort. We are talking about what is an element that accentuates the most playful aspect of the car, like the icing on the cake.
It should be quickly clarified that a sunroof is not the same as a panoramic one. In general, the sunroof is the one in which the glass can be opened, while the panoramic roof covers the entire surface of the roof.
Very confused, while one can be considered ‘one more window’, the other becomes an element that contributes to the structural rigidity of the car in the roof area, and necessarily has other characteristics. So what do we have with the sunroof? Can we include it? Certainly yes, but with nuances .
Yes, but with nuances
It’s more; For some years, the automobile industry considered the option of a sunroof in vehicles as a high-end extra, which is why the most exclusive models or those that sought to achieve significant sales incorporated this version of the bodywork from the factory.
However, over time, this solar piece evolved with new models such as the panoramic roof, becoming more and more common in mid-range cars. It is worth mentioning that the larger the sunroof, the more natural light enters the interior of the vehicle, favoring a feeling of greater space. To tell the truth, most drivers do not open the sunroof, but only let the light in to allow a better view of the outside for the rest of the occupants.
It is there that there are currently some aspects that must be taken into account if we launch into its installation afterwards in our vehicle. For example, and as something basic, that you only trust specialized companies when it comes to putting a sunroof on the car. It is not a simple installation, since it depends on many variables to take into account, such as the type of vehicle or the sunroof that can be installed on it.
Likewise, the cost of its installation of this type is also an important issue, especially if a specific sunroof is used for a certain model. This is a price that depends on the car and our requirements, and can range between 326 and 2500 euros, depending on its more ‘premium’ level or not.
There are universal sunroofs, but they are not always the most suitable
It should be noted that, in your case, if the factory sunroof option was not available for that model, this can make things difficult to adapt it to it. It is true that there are cheaper universal sunroofs , but they are not always completely suitable for all models.
Another point that we should not ignore is fuel consumption , because if we keep it open (there are some that are simply closed) while driving we will be increasing consumption: we will have a less aerodynamic vehicle and with greater air resistance. This is why we can count on different types, depending on what we may be looking for:
- Sliding sunroof. They are the most popular since they can be placed on any type of vehicle. They are manually operated and are the most economical. It is important to ensure good maintenance in order to avoid wear that causes leaks or leaks.
- Folding sliding sunroof. Seen with the classic convertibles, they are much cheaper. They are made of fabric that folds into the back of the car when we open it.
- spoiler roofs. They look like a small window that opens upwards leaving a small opening for air to enter. They are usually electric.
- Sliding on rails . They are the most common of today’s car sunroofs. It is a glass panel that is fitted on some tracks or rails.
- Monitored electrical . It is the most comfortable, since it allows it to be closed and opened quickly and easily, through a switch.
- photovoltaic . This is a solar roof from which, in addition to being able to enjoy the landscape, it contains special panels that collect sunlight to generate energy that helps in the operation of the car.