Can You Get Sunburnt Through Glass?

The glass used for windows typically filters out 97 per cent of the UVB rays, which can cause sunburn and skin cancer, so it’s unlikely you would get burnt unless you were exposed for a long time. However, glass is far less effective at blocking UVA radiation, eliminating just 37 per cent.

UVA light causes skin to age more rapidly and may contribute to some types of skin cancer, so it’s still wise to apply sunscreen. Car windscreens typically contain a plastic layer that filters out all UVB radiation and 80 per cent of UVA.