Should Your Cracked Windshield be Repaired or Replaced? Here’s What to Know!

If you drive regularly, your windshield is bound to take a beating at some point. After all, the whole purpose of your windshield is to protect you from flying debris. As such, windshield replacements are common eventualities for most vehicle owners.

If you have a chip or crack in your windshield, you may be wondering what to do next. Will your entire windshield need to be replaced? Can a small chip be fixed? Could the weather have an impact on how fast a crack will spread? Below, we will cover everything you need to know!

To speak with a skilled automotive glass technician now and get specific answers to your unique questions, call us at (720) 370-5408!

WHEN TO REPLACE YOUR WINDSHIELD

Not all damage leads directly to complete windshield replacement. If you have a small chip or crack, an automotive glass technician should be able to repair it easily with resin to avoid the necessity for a full windshield replacement. Some tiny chips may even be left alone.

However, not all windshields have been created equally. This is especially true for older windshields that are made with just tempered glass. If you have a tempered glass windshield that is not laminated, you will probably need to replace it after a crack.

Additionally, cracks longer than a dollar bill almost always require total replacements. Also, if the chip or crack is deep enough that it extends through more than half of the thickness of the windshield, you may need to replace the whole thing. Finally, cracks along the edge of your windshield often lead to full replacements.

You may have to replace your windshield if …

  • A crack is larger than the size of a dollar bill
  • The chip or crack is deep
  • You have an old windshield that is not laminated
  • The crack extends to the exterior edge

UNDERSTANDING THE WINDSHIELD REPLACEMENT PROCESS

Now, let’s talk about how the repair process works. When technicians repair a windshield, they usually inject a form of resin into the chipped or cracked area. Holes may be drilled around a crack and filled with resin to prevent it from spreading.

HOW TO AVOID NEEDING A FULL WINDSHIELD REPLACEMENT

If you have been in an automobile accident, your windshield might be completely totaled. With that being said, some chips, cracks, and dents can be treated right away to prevent the necessity of full windshield replacement.

The sooner you get a crack or chip repaired, the less likely your entire windshield will need to be replaced. Also, the smaller a crack or chip is, the more likely it is that the damaged area can be treated.

HOW WEATHER CAN IMPACT WINDSHIELD REPAIRS

It’s also important to take into account the temperatures in your area. Temperature changes can impact the way a crack or chip behaves. When the glass of your windshield gets extremely hot or cold, it expands or retracts. This fluctuation can cause cracks and chips to spread.

In very hot or cold areas, what may have started out as minor damage could turn into a crack that spreads along the entire length of your windshield. For this reason, it is best to care for any damage to your windshield right away.

ALL ABOUT AUTOMOTIVE GLASS

Automotive glass is some pretty interesting stuff. Although this glass looks like any other glass, it functions in a specialized manner. Automotive glass is not the same as the glass in the windows of your home. Instead, it has been scientifically engineered to withstand the jostling and movements of driving a vehicle. Vehicle glass also doesn’t shatter like other glass.

Two different types of automotive glass protect the structure of your vehicle and the passengers inside. The first kind is known as laminated glass. This is the glass in your windshield. The second kind of automotive glass is called tempered glass. This type of glass is used for the side windows and back windshields of vehicles.

Premium Automotive: Windshield Repair Experts

Do you have a chipped or cracked windshield? If you need help figuring out whether you need to replace your windshield, give us a call. We serviced personal vehicles, fleet vehicles, and dealership Vehicles. We can help with accident damage, hail damage, and more! Let our skilled automotive glass technicians assist you right away. Call (720) 370-5408 or email sergey@premiumautomotivellc.com for assistance.