A Cracked or Chipped Windshield! Repair or Replace?

The glass used on automobiles has come a long way.  It is much safer and more efficient than what was used in the past.  For the past seven decades, laminated glass has been the glass of choice for windshields in vehicles of all shapes and sizes.  This glass is actually several layers of material: two or more layers of glass surrounding a plastic or resin sheet in the middle that serves as an interlayer. This interlayer is what keeps the glass from breaking into large, potentially dangerous pieces upon impact, instead shattering into a "spiderweb."  This aids in vehicle safety because harm to passengers during large collisions is reduced. Laminated glass also offers better security as it is harder to shatter, it helps to reduce noise in the cabin and many sheets of glass have ultraviolet protection included.  Furthermore, a minor windshield chip or crack can be repaired without necessarily replacing the entire windshield.

Even with laminated glass, it is important to keep your windshield in good condition.  There are many sources for getting maintenance done to your windshield; the choices include a dealership,   an independent glass shop, an automotive glass specialist, a windshield repair facility, and there are even Mobile glass repair and replacement service, where they will come to you, whether at work or home.  All options have both pros and cons, but will get the job done.  When maintenance is needed, windshields are covered by nearly all automotive insurance companies. But because the cost to replace a windshield is so much higher than repairing it (four to ten times higher), coverage is handled differently for replacement vs. repair. Having recognized that it's more economical to repair a windshield than replace it, some insurance companies will waive your deductible and pay for the entire repair.  However, if your windshield is in genuine need of replacement don't skimp, replace it. A heavily damaged windshield is not only difficult to look through, it's also unsafe. The structural integrity may have been compromised and could weaken further if it isn't replaced quickly.

If windshield replacement is an option, it is done by the injection of a special resin into the damaged area using a tool that attaches directly to the glass. Once injected, this resin is then cured and polished to restore the clarity and strength to the glass. A repaired windshield will never look as perfectly clear as a brand new one. How do you know if you need a repair or a replacement?  The majority of windshield repair shops can repair quarter-sized rock chips and cracks up to three inches long. Anything bigger and most places will recommend replacement. Location of the damage also plays an important role in determining what needs to be done. Cracks at the edge of the windshield tend to spread very quickly and can compromise the structural integrity of the glass. If they're caught in time, they can be repaired. But in most cases, it's usually advisable to replace the windshield.

The cost to repair a windshield is pretty standard across the country.  Repairing a single rock chip costs around $40-$50 for the first chip and extra for each additional chip.  The cost to repair most cracks is about the same. Windshield replacement costs considerably more and varies greatly depending on the vehicle.