Have you been driving around with a damaged windshield for awhile now, wondering if, when, and how to get it fixed? If your cracked glass isn't too bad and you can still see while you are driving, you may be able to get it repaired without having to replace it. However, the longer you wait, the worse the damage will get due to weather, temperature, and everyday wear and tear. If your windshield damage is bad enough, you will need to replace it all together. The auto experts at Orthodox Auto Company recommend looking at these four factors when deciding whether to repair or replace your damaged auto glass.
1. Size
The ability to repair chips and cracks will vary greatly between repair companies and current technology. However, a general rule of thumb is that you can easily repair a chip that is smaller than a quarter, and a crack that does not exceed three inches long.
2. Depth
A windshield is made up of three layers — an outer layer of glass, a plastic interlayer, and an inside layer of glass. The depth of the crack refers to how deep into the three layers the crack extends. If the damage is through the outer and inner layers of glass, it is too deep to repair and will need replaced.
3. Location
The location of the damage is very important because it directly affects the safety of the driver. If the crack extends to the outer edge of the windshield, it could compromise the structural integrity of the windshield and would need to be replaced. You should also replace your windshield if the damage is within the driver's line of sight or prohibits safety sensors, such as rain sensors or automatic braking systems, from working properly.
4. Safety
Safety is the most important factor when deciding to repair or replace your windshield. According to the Auto Glass Safety Council, the windshield provides up to 45% structural integrity of the cabin of the vehicle in a front end collision, and up to 60% in a rollover. If your damaged windshield needs replaced, come check out Orthodox Auto for wholesale auto glass. We stock glass for all makes and models of vehicles, so you can be sure you'll find just what you need. Contact us today at (215) 608-3270 for more information, or to schedule your auto glass replacement