Auto Glass Repair: What You Should Know About Repair vs. Replacement
Contents
What’s the Difference Between a Chip and a Crack in a Windshield?
Minor windshield damage normally comes in two major forms – chips and cracks. A chip is generally damage in the windshield that clearly marks the point of impact by debris. This point of impact can be in the form of a star break (short cracks forming outward from the center), bulls-eye (circular), partial bulls-eye (half-moon shape), crack chip (small crack less than _ inch), or pit (gouge). Cracks create a distinct line in the glass that can range from under an inch up to the width of your windshield. They generally run horizontally in a straight or somewhat wavy line.
Even long cracks in a windshield are sometimes repairable.
Can Your Glass be Repaired?
Whether or not your windshield can be repaired depends on four main factors:
Size
Windshield repair technology is a rapidly advancing industry, so the ability to repair large chips or cracks changes often and can vary depending on the repair company. Generally speaking, chips smaller than a quarter, and cracks up to three inches long can be easily repaired. The Repair of Laminated Automotive Glass Standard (ROLAGS) guide, administered by the National Windshield Repair Association (NWRA), specifies limits on repair sizes depending on the type of damage (bulls-eye, pit, crack, ect.) with the upper limits of a chip being three inches and a crack up to 14 inches. Again, these sizes may vary depending on the location of the damage, as well as the shop’s capabilities.
Depth
This is closely related to the size of the damage, but in regards to how deep the damage penetrates into the windshield. A windshield is basically a glass sandwich– an outer layer of glass, a plastic interlayer, and an inside layer of glass. If the damage is through the outer and inner layer of glass, it is too deep to perform a windshield repair.
Location
The location of the damage greatly affects the ability to perform a windshield repair. If the damage extends to the outer edge of the glass, there is a greater chance that the structural integrity of the windshield has been compromised. Because the windshield is responsible for up to 60% of structural strength in the event of vehicle rollover, it is imperative that it is replaced properly with a new windshield.
Another place where windshield repair should not be performed is within the driver’s line of sight (the glass covered by the driver’s windshield wiper). Repairs will often cause some amount of distortion which can impair a driver’s view of the road if within their line of sight.
Lastly, damage in the view of sensors such as rain sensors, lane departure warning systems, automatic braking systems, or other automated driver assistance systems (ADAS) related components may not be repairable. These sensors require a crystal clear view and even a near perfect repair may cause malfunctions.
When to Replace Your Auto Glass
Safety
Above all, safety is paramount. Many consumers think it’s okay to drive around with a crack in their windshield. It’s not—in fact this can pose a safety risk.
The reality is The Windshield’s Vital Role
In a front end collision, the windshield provides up to 45% of the structural integrity of the cabin of the vehicle and in a rollover, up to 60%, according to the Auto Glass Safety Council. It’s important to ensure the structural integrity of your windshield, so have your windshield evaluated by a professional as soon as possible and make any recommended repairs.
Who to Go to for Replacement
What does that mean when that rock, or other debris, hits your windshield and causes damage? It means that when it’s time to fix that chip or crack, you will want to choose a company that will install the windshield properly. Don’t let time go by when damage occurs. Find a reputable company and installer and make the call today.
Blog Source: Glass | When to Repair vs. When to Replace a Windshield by Daniel Snow
