Does Your Cracked Windshield Need Repair?
Your windshield is an integral part of the safety features that keep you and your passengers safe while driving. Every car has a windshield, whether it's made from glass or plastic. Over time, however, the windshield may become cracked or chipped. Cracks can appear anywhere on the surface but are usually found near the edge of the window due to impact with stones or other objects.
Merritt Island Windshield Shop
If you have a crack in your windshield, do not ignore it! A small crack can quickly turn into a much larger issue if left untreated for too long. Driving with a crack in your windshield could potentially land you with expensive repairs or even costly ticket fines. To avoid this scenario, schedule an appointment with a trusted auto glass professional as soon as you notice the damage.
Unfortunately, windshields crack and break all too often and any time of year can be dangerous. Before next winter season comes around, take some time to learn how to identify minor cracks and nicks that need car window repair, versus those that require complete replacement of your vehicle's glass panels.
You know it needs servicing if:
- The crack is large enough to cause a distraction while you drive;
- The damage is on the driver's line of sight; or
- You see more than one crack. Windshields aren't the only part of your car in need of occasional maintenance and care—tires can also benefit from regular checking and replacement as they age. If you notice your tires are looking worn, now is the time to schedule a tire replacement appointment as well.
Typically, you can tell if your vehicle needs new tires when the tread is worn down to 2/32 of an inch or below. However, it's important to note that there are several other signs you should look for before choosing a tire replacement service.
As such, do not neglect cracks and nicks in your car windows. Taking care of minor damages early will help you avoid the need for more costly repairs, so contact an auto glass service provider today.
However, if the windshield has a large crack or break, it will require professional care and replacement. Don't worry though; this type of damage is common and you don't need to pay for costly car glass repair in order to get your windshield glass repaired.
A cracked windshield is often caused by driving over small rocks and other road debris that may fly in front of your car when driving down the highway or interstate. This debris hits the surface of your vehicle's glass and cracks it in some places. Sometimes these cracks are so small they cannot be noticed, but with time cracks can grow until they cover a portion of your windshield.
Windshields can also break from major impacts with trees, poles, cars, etc., which require immediate care such as car window replacement.
If the Windshield Has a Large Crack or Break Windshields can also break from major impacts with trees, poles, cars, etc., which require immediate care such as car window replacement. If this is the case, you may need to replace your windshield entirely depending on how bad it's broken. Replacing a windshield involves removing and replacing all of the layers of glass that make up your vehicle's front window pane one-by-one. There are three main types of auto glass used to repair windshields: tempered glass, standard laminated glass, and polycarbonate.
Tempered Glass is four to five times stronger than regular glass because it goes through an additional tempering process that strengthens the surface of the glass after it has been cut. This type is typically used when your windshield needs to be repaired for cracks or chips but is broken in one place. Tempered glass is also more expensive than other types of auto glass repair options so you will most likely need to pay out-of-pocket costs if your insurer doesn't cover automobile window replacement.
Standard Laminated Glass consists of two pieces of 1/4 inch thick safety glass with a thin layer of vinyl between them. This type is typically used when you have multiple cracks in your vehicle's windshield glass.
Polycarbonate Auto Glass is made of lightweight plastic and has the same impact resistance as tempered glass, but it can easily shatter into tiny pieces. This type doesn't work well for cracks and chips since that would require replacing the entire windshield. It is more expensive than other types of auto glass repair options so you will most likely need to pay out-of-pocket costs if your insurer doesn't cover automobile window replacement.
If your windshield does need car window repair for multiple damages or larger cracks, by law your insurance company must offer one free service within a six-month time period.
Merritt Island, FL