Calgary glass experts Diamond Glass have over a decade of experience working with affordable auto glass, residential glass, and and commercial glass repairs, replacements, and installations. In this post, we provide information about auto glass repairs, including windshield repair and windshield replacement tips. A well-maintained and properly repaired windshield is very important for both visibility and physical safety:
- Visibility
A windshield free of marks, chips, and cracks allows the driver a full range of visibility, which is crucial for safe driving. - Safety
The front windshield is made of two sheets of glass held together by an inner layer of strong vinyl. When the windshield breaks, the vinyl holds the glass in place rather than allowing the shards to fall into the car and cut the driver and passengers. The back windshield is important for structural support in case of roll-overs, and is made of specially treated glass that is designed to break into blunt pieces when shattered. It is important that both of these parts of a vehicle are properly maintained.
Identifying the damage: Chips vs Cracks
Chips:
Rocks, hail, and other debris can cause damage to the windshield in several different ways. Usually, they create chips, pits, or “dings”, which can vary in size and shape depending on the type of impact.
Provided a chip in the windscreen is not too large, and does not include breakage through both layers of the windshield’s glass, it can generally be repaired quickly, easily, and at an affordable price. However, if windshield chips are combined with other sorts of damage, such as larger breaks, cracks, or pits, they may require a full replacement.
Cracks:
Windshield crack causes can include physical damage, arise when a chip or ding goes unaddressed, or as a result of temperature fluctuations. Cracks can be various sizes, and shapes. Generally, a crack smaller than six inches can be repaired, while larger cracks in windscreens, cracks that touch more than one edge of the glass, or cracks that penetrate both layers of the windshield’s glass likely require a full windshield replacement.
Repairing windshield damage: Repair vs Replace
While damage requiring a windshield replacement may be more costly than a windshield repair, it is worth the additional expense to ensure your vehicle is properly fixed. Furthermore, if you require a replacement or extensive windshield repair, insurance may cover a portion of the cost. Similarly, even small chips or pits should should be addressed immediately by a professional as soon as possible. If left unattended, a small chip that could have been an easy repair could crack further, or could get dirt or debris in it which can make it difficult to achieve a simple and seamless repair.
If you have any questions about damage to glass in your car’s windows, call our Calgary windshield crack and stone chip repair experts at (403) 568-7086 or fill out the contact form on our website. We would be happy to discuss options for any windshield chip or windshield crack repairs your vehicle might require.
