How Much Does It Cost To Repair a Windshield?
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It’s happened to all of us. You’re driving down the road, everything going smoothly. Suddenly, your concentration is broken by a loud sound coming from the windshield. Debris from the road has been kicked up, and it’s target was the glass that separates you from the outside world.
When you’re looking at the damage caused by this debris, you’ll have to determine if the windshield is going to need repair or replacement. We’re here to help you make that call.
What is the Windshield For?
The original use of the windshield was for keeping the occupants of a vehicle safe from the hazards of the road. This includes debris that’s kicked up, naturally occurring dust in the air that can cause harm to eyes and airways, as well as flying insects or birds that find themselves in the path of your traveling vehicle.
As time has gone on, the windshield has taken on other purposes, all still centered around the safety of the occupants in the vehicle. In the result of a collision, the windshield provides a surface for the airbags in a car to bounce off of and stay contained in the lifesaving position that they need. Without them, the airbag would deploy incorrectly, preventing safe use.
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What Are Windshields Made Of?
While they were originally made of tempered glass, the modern windshield is typically made of what’s known as safety glass. Safety glass consists of two sheets of glass that are bonded together with a sheet of plastic in between them.
This design came about due to the nature of the glass used before safety glass. When plate glass or tempered glass shatters, the shards are thrown from the force, and they’re sharp.
This had the effect of harming occupants, sometimes causing more damage than the accident itself. Safety glass is designed in such a way that prevents the glass from breaking into shards, keeping it self contained. This is a way of keeping the driver and the passenger safe should an impact occur.
How to Tell if Your Windshield Can Be Repaired
As with anything in your vehicle, should your car’s windshield be damaged, it needs to be inspected in order to determine if repairs need to be made. Here are some things to look for.
Dimensions
The size of the damage to your windshield plays a significant part in determining if it can be repaired. Any cracks that are less than the length of a dollar bill can typically be repaired with ease. If you have a chip in the windshield, the diameter would need to be less than that of a quarter.
Depth is another dimension that plays a part in whether or not a windshield can be repaired, or if it needs replacing. If the gouge in your windshield is more than halfway through the thickness of it, it cannot be repaired.
Any depth shallower than that, while still taking into consideration the size of the crack or chip, can most likely be repaired.
Location
Where the damage to your windshield is located also determines if it can be repaired. If the damage in any way impairs the vision from the driver’s seat, then chances are the damage is irreparable. Fixing damage in this location may cause further obscured vision after the repair has taken place.
Additionally, if the damage is in the corners of the windshield, or a crack overlaps the seam of the windshield where it meets the body of the vehicle, it is unlikely that a repair is feasible, and replacement may be imminent.
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Amount of Damage
While this one seems like a no-brainer, it can be somewhat tricky. A single chip may be repairable, but several may not be. The mindset behind this is that the more damage that a windshield incurs, the more compromised it becomes.
If there is a small amount of damage limited to just an instance or two, it may be better served to repair the windshield. However, if there is minimal damage spread in several instances across the windshield, it may be better to replace.
Repair vs. Replace
When considering your windshield, it’s important to keep in mind that replacement may be inevitable based on the damage that is present. The windshield is a crucial part of safety in your vehicle, and if the component is at risk of failure due to damage, it is likely that replacing is the safest option.
Under no circumstances do you want a windshield that was repaired but still at risk of failure remaining in a vehicle.
Repairing Your Windshield
The cost of repairing a windshield is largely dependent upon the amount of damage that it has incurred. Sometimes, the damage is too much to be repaired, in which case a replacement will be necessary.
According to AutoGuide, the average repair and replacement costs are as follows, with costs being dependent upon the inspection of the damage. When repairing chips or cracks in a vehicle’s windshield, the cost can range from $130 to $190, depending on severity. If a replacement is needed, cost can range from $200 to $400 depending on the make and model of the vehicle. This includes labor.
If inclined to attempt a DIY fix due to minimal damage on your windshield, kits range in price, hovering around a $10 average price. This is a cost effective way to repair small damage in a windshield, but if you’re unsure of the extent of the damage, have it looked at by a professional.
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More Than Just Protection From the Elements
A windshield is a crucial component in any vehicle. While it may be designed to protect you from rain, wind and debris, the modern windshield does so much more in terms of keeping occupants of the vehicle safe.
If you’re thinking you may need to repair your windshield, be sure to keep in mind the extent of the damage, as replacement may be the safest route. As always, ask a professional if you’re not sure.
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