When Do You Need Windshield Replacement?

Your vehicle's windshield is responsible for not only making driving easier, but for keeping you and your passengers safe. That's why those minor windshield cracks and chips caused by flying debris can be such a problem: unless you're a windshield glass repair expert, how do you know if your damage is a potential threat or merely an inconvenience?

Before you decide between windshield chip repair and complete windshield replacement, make sure you understand the differences and what it means for your - and your family's - safety.

Line of Vision

Windshield damage in the driver's line of vision is always more complicated than windshield chips or cracks located elsewhere. Although most windshield repair techniques match the light reflecting capabilities of the glass as much as possible, there is still a chance that you won't get 100 percent vision - particularly if you live in a sunny area, where the light plays a big role in how well you can see and drive. In some cases, windshield repair might restore the structural integrity of the glass and make the vehicle look better, but windshield replacement will actually return your car to its original level of safety.

Size of Windshield Damage

In most cases, any chip or crack larger in size than a quarter is potentially sacrificing your vehicle's structural integrity. While it may be possible to do windshield chip or crack repair for damages of twice this size, it's not always a good idea. Because the windshield protects you in rollover accidents and in passenger airbag deployment, windshield replacement is a safer, more secure alternative.

Placement of Windshield Damage

Due to the tools windshield repair technicians use, chips and cracks located to close to the edge of the windshield may be ineligible for simple chip repair. In most cases, any damage located less than three inches from the edge of the windshield should be fixed through entire windshield replacement. Companies that promise results on large cracks or cracks near the windshield's edge might not be giving you the full truth.

Ask for Professional Advice

If you're unsure if your vehicle's damage is bad enough to require windshield replacement, or if you are uncertain which type of repair is best for you, be sure to talk with a technician you trust. Most auto glass professionals can make an assessment based on pictures or even a description, and offer quotes free of charge. This should give you a better idea of what to expect from your windshield repair experience. by Mark Carpenter

New Technologies in Auto Glass

As with most parts of a vehicle's makeup, auto glass has come a long way in the past few decades. The windshield is an integral part of the way your car runs and is able to withstand collisions, and many new technologies are created with an eye to improving car safety, maximizing ease of use, and oftentimes, simply adding all those little extras that make vehicles great.

Whether you're in the market for windshield replacement and want to know what's hot on the market or are wondering how auto glass and safety go hand-in-hand, the latest windshield technologies are a great way to upgrade and streamline your car, truck, or SUV.

History of Auto Glass

For the past seven decades, laminated glass has been the glass of choice for windshields in vehicles of all shapes and sizes. Invented in the early twentieth century, this glass is actually several layers of material: two or more layers of glass surrounding a plastic or resin sheet in the middle that serves as an interlayer. This interlayer is what keeps the glass from breaking into large, potentially dangerous pieces upon impact, instead shattering into a "spiderweb."

This makes laminated glass ideal for vehicles, since harm to passengers during large collisions is reduced. It's also beneficial in that a minor windshield chip or crack can be repaired without necessarily replacing the entire windshield.

Laminated Auto Glass Features

While safety is the number one reason why laminated auto glass is used for vehicles, there are additional benefits to it.

• Security: Laminated glass is much more difficult to shatter than tempered auto glass. This means that car theft is greatly reduced when the would-be thief has to go through laminated glass, since it can take up to a minute to get all the way through the glass to the car's interior.

• Noise Control: The extra layer in laminated glass offers additional sound protection. This keeps the interior of the car more comfortable without completely blocking the necessary traffic noises that make driving safe.

• Sun and Temperature Control: Many new types of windshields come with infrared coatings and ultraviolet protection options. These not only keep the harmful sun's rays from heating or damaging your car's interior, but they can also keep your passengers (and yourself) out of the harmful UV rays that contribute to skin cancer.

• Additional Perks: From antennas and defrosters to speedometers, many types of laminated glass include the latest technologies right in the interlayer. While these types of benefits might not add to driver safety, they do add an appeal that increases car value and satisfaction.

Taking Care of Your Laminated Glass

While laminated glass has provided many steps forward for auto glass technology and auto glass repairs, it's important to remember that letting a minor windshield crack or chip go without repairs can have an impact on how well it functions. Always keep your windshield in good condition and make sure the factory seal stays intact during repairs to get the most out of your car's features. by Mark Carpenter