Sunroof for a car - what are there and what is better to choose

To increase comfort in the car, each manufacturer equips its cars with different elements that make the trip more pleasant. Among them climate systems for several zones, heated seats and steering wheel, sunroof and more.

If the car comes with a sunroof from the factory, then the driver does not have to choose what to do when a part breaks. It is simply changed to an identical one. But owners of budget cars that do not have a sunroof sometimes have the idea to put it on their own. Consider what you need to take into account, and which variety to opt for.

How to choose a sunroof for a car

Before proceeding with the selection of a new hatch, it is necessary to determine the reason for its installation. The most important thing is to improve ventilation in the cabin when the car is driving at high speed. Another reason is the presence of a hatch makes the interior of the car lighter.

This is with regard to the practicality of this element. Some motorists use this element as an additional accessory when tuning their car.

Varieties of car hatches

As we pointed out at the beginning, the hatch can be installed at the factory. In this case, the buyer of a new car should pay attention to the design of the element. It often happens that the owners of vehicles with a solid roof order an accessory insert in a specialized studio.

All types of hatches can be divided into two types, which differ in:

• Insert material;
• Opening mechanism.

As for the material from which the additional "window" is made, the following can be used:

• Glass panel;
• Metal panel;
• Soft fiber with water repellent properties.

The mechanism that opens the hatch can have both manual and automatic drive. The design itself can be:

• Standard - when the panel is hidden between the ceiling and the roof of the car;
• Lifting - the panel is simply lifted from the side closest to the trunk, so that the part is not torn off by a gust of wind or it does not violate the aerodynamic properties of the car;
• Sliding - the hatch slides, as in the standard version, only the panel can be moved either to the interior under the ceiling or to the roof;
• Lift-and-slide - the rear part of the panel rises, the front part drops slightly into the formed opening, and the entire structure fully or partially opens the cutout on the roof;
• Louver - the panel is divided into several segments. When the mechanism is activated, these parts are superimposed on each other so that their rear parts are higher than the front ones (a wing is created);
• Foldable - in this case, a soft material is used. It can be fixed to a rigid frame and folded like the previous version. Another modification - the fiber is fixed to the front rail, which will slide along the mechanism slide, opening / closing the opening.

As for the size of the hatch, each car owner chooses the size of the opening himself. Some vehicles allow a panoramic option when most of the roof is opened.

On the practical side, it is more profitable to use lift and lift-slide modifications, since they do not brake the car while driving. Sliding hatches have a simpler mechanism, but at high speeds they create the effect of open windows in the doors, which slows down the car and increases fuel consumption.

What to look for when choosing

The very first thing a motorist should pay attention to when choosing a hatch model is his financial capabilities. The fact is that the cost of installation (especially if the roof does not yet have a corresponding opening) can be even more than the part itself.

The lifting model will be the cheapest, since it does not have a complex mechanism, therefore, the installation of the element will also not be expensive. Most often, this modification is universal and fits most car models. But in some cases, the thickness of the roof and ceiling may not allow installing a budget hatch. For this reason, before buying an accessory, you should clarify whether it can be delivered in a car service.

The most expensive are the soft modifications of sliding hatches, since they must have a good stretch in order to tightly close the opening and not let water through during rain. In addition to the expensive installation, the material needs additional care so that it does not crack. If the car is parked in an open parking lot, and not in a garage, then it is better not to use such a hatch modification. They make it easier for thieves to enter the car.

The middle option is a sliding design. It can be manual or automatic. In the second case, the accessory will be more expensive, not only when purchased, but also in terms of repair. Also, the installation will be more costly, since here it will already be necessary to use the services of an auto electrician, who must qualitatively connect the wires of the electric motor to the onboard highway.

The next factor that should also be considered is the quality of the panel. If it is glass, does it have athermal tinting... During the summer, direct sunlight can cause more discomfort and burns during a long trip. If the usual toning is used, then less light will enter the interior.

If you have no experience in installing sunroofs, it is better to contact the appropriate studio. Matera will tell you which model to choose, and also take into account the subtleties of installing an accessory on a specific car.

Advantages as well as disadvantages of hatches

Most often, motorists install a sunroof not for practical reasons, but out of a tribute to fashion. Here are the reasons for installing this accessory:

1. It allows you to provide additional ventilation of the machine without the need to lower the side windows, which is often accompanied by unpleasant sensations at high speed. Of course, on a dusty road, dust will enter the cabin anyway, but during a normal trip it will get less than through the lowered windows. When it comes to driving in the rain, the same principle applies as for convertibles. For more information on the speed at which water will not enter the machine, read in a separate review.
2. Additional lighting, especially when the sun is hidden behind the horizon. In a cabin with a sunroof, much later it is required to turn on the light in order to see the necessary objects.
3. It is more interesting for passengers to ride in a car with a sunroof, as through it you can see the beautiful sky. At low speed, it is more interesting to photograph nature not through a window, but through an open hatch.
4. An open roof creates less noise in the cabin than lowered windows.

But for what reasons it is worth seriously considering whether a hatch is really needed if the automaker did not provide for it:

1. If problems arise with the hatch, it will take a lot of expensive work to fix them. Some people decide to weld the opening with a solid piece of metal. However, visually it looks ugly in most cases, especially from the inside of the car.
2. The use of a sunroof in the car design reduces the rigidity of the roof. If the vehicle rolls over during an accident, the driver and passengers may be seriously injured.
3. The thin panel freezes faster, which increases the cooling rate of the passenger compartment in winter.
4. Breakdown of the mechanism and violation of the tightness of the connection between the panel and the roof. At the joints, the seals become more rigid over time, which is why they cease to retain water during rain. Also, electrical parts of an automatic model often break.
5. For the element to be in good working order over a long period, the driver must be ready to service the device frequently.

Main producers

If a decision is made to install a hatch or, in case of failure, replace a standard element, in addition to the size of the new part, attention should be paid to the manufacturers who are engaged in the manufacture of this product.

As in the case with other spare parts, preference should be given to well-known companies, and not to those who sell similar products at low prices. The peculiarity of this category of goods is that cheap components are used to reduce its cost. And this leads to a rapid failure of the product. As a result, the motorist overpays for frequent repairs or replacement of a newly installed hatch.

Among the manufacturers of car sunroofs, the products of the German brand Webasto, as well as Eberspacher, occupy a worthy place in the ranking. The French brand Automaxi has also proven itself well. This trio leads the rating of manufacturers whose products are of the highest quality. There will also be decent quality hatches from Italian and Hungarian firms, for example, Leonardo, Vola or Lux KFT.

The very first manufacturer mentioned enjoys a good reputation as it is engaged in the manufacture of components not only for car manufacturers. Most of the spare parts and devices are supplied to the aftermarket for auto parts. Sometimes there are products that are sold through other companies - the so-called packing companies - in this case, car hatches will be more expensive than the originals, although the quality does not differ from them.

Quite good products can be found in the assortment of domestic manufacturers. Plus such hatches will be in their affordable price. An example of such a company is Unit-MK.

What problems may be in operation

The most common "sore" of all car hatches (even the most expensive ones) - over time, they begin to leak. The main reason is the wear of the seals. If this starts to happen, you should immediately contact a car service so that the craftsmen can replace the rubber elements. Otherwise, the minimum that will happen is that the drops will fall behind the collar, which cannot be called pleasant. Ignoring leaks (using silicone so that water does not drip) will definitely damage the lifting mechanism.

Another problem with all hatches is vandals.

It is especially important to immediately contact the service center if the product or vehicle warranty has not yet been issued. Early leaks can be caused by malfunctioning mechanisms or improper installation of the device.

Another problem that any car owner may face is the failure of the mechanism. This happens most often with the electric version. As soon as there are extraneous noises and there are obvious signs of jamming of the mechanism, you should immediately contact the service. Otherwise, according to the law of meanness, the device will fail just in the rain.

At the end of the review, watch a short video about the subtleties of installing a new hatch:

How to install a sliding sunroof on a car?