There are many factors to consider when deciding when a windshield replacement is needed, or if a simple windshield repair will suffice.
Chipped Windshield: A Repair Or Replacement?
Many auto glass chips can be repaired. The chances of repairing your windshield are higher if the chip is detected and fixed early.
The chances of having to replace your windshield go up if:
- The chip is left too long because the chip can spread to a crack from vehicle movement or temperature fluctuations.
- A chip is located close to the edge of your windshield because this will likely spread to a crack, weaken the structure of the glass, and cause a serious safety concern. In this case, even if the windshield chip is repaired, a crack could still form.
- The chip is in the driver’s line of sight. In this case your auto glass expert is likely recommend a windshield replacement because a chip repair causes a slight distortion in the glass, and if that causes enough of an obstruction replacing the windshield is the only option.
An auto glass expert will carefully inspect the glass and advise if the chip can be repaired or is too severe and the windshield will need to be replaced.
Cracked Windshield: Doomed For Replacement?
Not necessarily. With today’s technology, cracks up to eighteen inches can be repaired. If you catch a crack fast enough, chances are very good that a windshield repair will be the recommended action.
A crack or chip that is slanted or very deep may mean the intermediate Poly‐Vinyl Butyral layer. So even in this case, with Diamond Glass auto glass technology a windshield repair could address the damage.
There are some cracks and chips that can’t, and should not, be repaired, such as:
- damage on the inside of the vehicle
- chips or cracks that have damaged both layers of glass
- contaminated cracks
- cracks or chips close to the windshield edge
- cracks over eighteen inches in length
- cracks or chips in the driver’s line of sight
- damage that could expose antenna or sensors on the inside of the windshield
In all cases, your auto glass expert will examine your windshield and recommend action on a case‐by‐case basis. In all situations, your best course of action is to visit an auto glass expert as soon as possible to prevent further damage and potentially compromising the safety of your vehicle.
Diamond Glass, located in Calgary, provides valuable expert advice on affordable auto glass, commercial glass, and residential glass. For more information visit diamondglasscalgary.ca or call us at 403‐568‐7086
