Making the Most of Driving in Your Car

3 Things to Know About On-Site Repair and Replacement of Windshields

20 February 2018

Greg Sutton

A windshield offers a superb amount of strength that supports a car cabin. It is estimated that a windscreen can take up to 60% impact when a vehicle rolls over; during a front-end collision, the windshield can absorb 45% of collision force. The structural integrity of a windshield also helps to protect vehicle occupants from fatalities. A windscreen can suffer a crack or chip due to a host of reasons, including accidental projectiles or accidents. Proper replacement of the glass will help vehicle owners to ensure that safety features and structural integrity of a vehicle are maintained. Here are some things to know about on-site repair and auto glass replacement.

Windshield Chips and Cracks -- A chip is windshield damage that shows the debris/projectile's point of impact. The mark can be a star break, circular (bulls-eye), pit or crack chip. A crack forms a distinct line of different lights from a few millimeters to the entire width of a screen. Cracks are formed horizontally and they can either be wavy or straight. A technician can repair most of the chips; however, apart from the shape of a chip, an expert will assess other factors such as size and depth of the damage. Modern technology has made it possible to repair windshields that would have otherwise been replaced.  

Location of Damage -- The fate of a windshield is also determined by the location of a crack or chip. If the damage is in an area that affects the driver's line of sight, then it is not advisable to repair the glass. Even though a repair job can work in this case, it will leave the windshield with minor distortions. Therefore, a good rule of thumb is to replace glasses that have cracks or chips that might compromise a driver's vision. Also, cars with automated driver assistance systems (ADAS) such as lane departure warning and rain sensors require a clear view through the windscreen. Any repair work that leaves imperfections can compromise the components.

Size and Depth -- It is recommended to repair windshield cracks that are less than three inches long or chips the size of a small coin. However, before investing in a new windshield, try to find out if your on-site technician can repair longer cracks and wider chips. Notably, damage can penetrate deeper into a windscreen. Most importantly, a windshield has three layers with a plastic sheet sandwiched between two layers of glass. If all layers are damaged, then you should consider replacing the glass.        

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