Chips and cracks in your windshield not only look unsightly, but they can also actually damage the structural integrity of the entire windshield if they spread. There are several ways to determine when to replace or repair your glass windshield. These tips can save you a lot of headaches in the long run as you don’t want to end up on the side of the road in an emergency.
What’s the difference between auto glass and regular glass?
Windshield glass differs significantly from traditional glass in many ways. One significant difference is how it is made. Windshield glass comprises silica sand, cullet, dolomite, limestone, and soda ash. These additional components reduce the melting point and increase the durability of the glass. The front windshield of the vehicle is the most durable glass structure. It’s made from two sheets of glass fused with a vinyl layer between them. It’s then laminated to ensure an extra layer of protection to ensure it can endure more damage than standard glass.
Windshield glass also shatters differently than traditional glass. Traditional glass breaks off into large shards, while glass windshields shatter into several thousand tiny pieces. This prevents the passenger from sustaining any severe damage if the windshield shatters. Increasing the safety of the passengers in the vehicle is an essential job for auto glass manufacturers.
Know when to replace or repair your auto glass
Regular maintenance can usually flag your vehicle if you’ve experienced external trauma to the windshield. Generally caused by rocks or pebbles kicked up by other drivers, cracks can also be caused by changes in air pressure or even temperature! What may look like a small crack now could spread, and soon your vision could be obstructed, you’ll be struggling to see the road. Many factors determine when it is time to repair your auto glass, including:
- The size of the damage
- The location of the damage
- The depth of the damage
- The severity of the damage
All these factors can determine how long you can go before it’s too late to get your auto glass repaired. It would be best to have your vehicle inspected as soon as a crack or chip appears to prevent further damage from spreading.
Dangers of prolonging repair
Prolonging your repair can be dangerous. Cracks spread through a windshield rather quickly, and the structural integrity of the glass is put at risk. While some vehicles can have their windshield repaired, if you wait too long and it spreads, you will find yourself needing a windshield replacement. The longer you wait, the more likely you will experience further damage. It is also more affordable to have a crack repaired than a complete replacement.