Windshield damage can obstruct your view and put drivers at risk while on the road. With insurance, getting chips repaired often costs much less than replacing an entire windshield.
Cracked chips may soon expand into larger ones that make repairs harder or impair visibility – at this point you might require replacement glasses altogether.
Chip Repair
Small chips that do not block your vision can often be repaired using a professional DIY windshield repair kit, though if left unattended they could spread into cracks that compromise the structural integrity of your car’s glass and cause distraction by leaving an unsightly mark in your field of view.
Resin is specially formulated to fill cracks and chips almost entirely, making repairs almost undetectable which are ideal for crescent breaks, star breaks, M-shaped and petal-shaped blemishes as well as bull’s eye damage.
Resin kits are easy to use and come complete with step-by-step instructions. Additionally, they require no heating; making it suitable for various forms of windshield damage. Prior to applying resin it’s essential that the area be thoroughly cleaned using microfiber cloths and some rubbing alcohol.
Resin kits have capacity to repair cracks up to one and a quarter inches wide, making it suitable for fixing many different forms of windshield damage, including thin cracks.
Windshield Replacement
Windshield replacement costs can range anywhere from several hundred dollars to several thousand, depending on the make, model and trim of your vehicle, its ADAS features and whether your insurance covers repairs. To help estimate replacement costs accurately, many auto glass companies offer online quote tools which allow users to log-in using their driver’s license number and vehicle details (year make model etc).
These tools will ask a series of questions about your car’s trim, trim features and technologies it has available, whether or not there is a heated wiper park area and whether the windshield features a built-in head-up display. It is vital that all answers provided to an auto glass shop are accurate so they can install a windshield with all its safety features intact.
If a technician installs the wrong windshield for your vehicle, recalibration may be required to return its cameras and sensors back to factory settings, which could take additional time and cost more money overall than initially estimated.
Your new windshield could interfere with your car’s ADAS systems and lead to inaccurate warnings or even an accident, so to ensure the best experience when getting one replaced it is always wiser to opt for an OEM windshield.
Mobile Service
Many windshield issues can be resolved on-site and professional technicians can come to you with services to fill chips, repair cracks or even replace the entire glass panes quickly and affordably.
Untreated cracks may spread and interfere with your line of vision, making it more difficult to recognize hazards and obstacles as well as impeding other safety features such as head-up displays or advanced driver assistance systems (ADAS).
Utilizing high-grade replacement glass is also key. Many low-rate installers rely on inexpensive glass that’s prone to optical distortion and ghosting or double images, distracting drivers. When choosing a professional glass company select one that uses OEM-grade and certified replacement glass that meets or exceeds vehicle manufacturer specs.
Replacing windshields on more modern models of cars is often more costly than replacement in older ones due to advanced features like rain-sensing wipers and ADAS that require technicians to perform extra tasks such as calibrating sensors – costs that can exceed $1,000!
Warranty
When replacing your windshield, it is wise to have a lifetime guarantee warranty against Air or water leaking, in addition to any manufacturer-backed warranties applicable to them.
Consider replacement companies that provide reseal services to repair the seal that holds glass pieces together which is often necessary after replacing a windshield. Repairs may compromise its original seal. Resealing protects repaired or replaced windshields from further cracking as well as moisture intrusion prevention while making driving safer overall.
Quality glass on your vehicle is of utmost importance if it includes advanced driver assistance systems like head-up displays (HUD) or rain-sensing wipers, which rely on it to project key information on the road such as navigation instructions, speedometer readings and cruise setting speeds, plus warning messages like low fuel or lane keeping assist alerts.
Those needing their windshield replaced should exercise caution when selecting a body shop or glass company for future repairs. Some cut-rate installers sell cheap windshields which don’t meet your carmaker’s standards for optical clarity and distortion reduction. Such cheaper windshields could cause glare, ghosting or double images that distract drivers and may lead to double images on dashboard displays and double glare for pedestrians passing nearby.
