{"id":84,"date":"2022-08-18T12:27:00","date_gmt":"2022-08-18T16:27:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/info.glass.com\/repair-or-replace-my-windshield\/"},"modified":"2024-08-05T15:54:09","modified_gmt":"2024-08-05T19:54:09","slug":"repair-or-replace-my-windshield","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.glass.com\/info\/repair-or-replace-my-windshield\/","title":{"rendered":"Windshield Repair – When to Replace a Damaged Windshield"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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What’s the Difference Between a Windshield Chip vs. Crack<\/h2>

And does it mean I need a windshield repair or replacement?<\/h3>

\"windshield-chip-repair\"<\/p>

A typical windshield chip- this one is considered to be a “combination break”.<\/em><\/p>

Minor windshield damage normally comes in two major forms \u2013 chips and cracks. A rock chip is generally damage in the windshield that 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 in windshield less than 1 inch), or pit (gouge).<\/p>

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.<\/p>

Can Your Chipped or Cracked Auto Glass be Repaired?<\/h2>

Keep in mind, this only applies to windshields, which are made of laminated glass. Most side windows and back windows need full auto glass<\/a> replacement because they are made with tempered glass which cannot be repaired.<\/p>

Whether or not your windshield can be repaired depends on three main factors: size, depth, and location. Larger, deeper cracks in the glass that extend to the edges of your windshield are much more likely to need replacement than small shallow chips<\/a> away from the edges of your windshield. If in doubt about whether your vehicle qualifies for repair, ask a professional.<\/p>

Below, we’ll look more into these three deciding factors of windshield crack repair or replacement:<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGet an Instant Windshield Replacement Quote For Your Vehicle Now!<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Windshield Repair Size<\/span><\/h2>

Windshield repair technology is a rapidly advancing<\/a> industry, so the ability to repair large chips or cracks changes often and can vary depending on the repair company. Generally speaking, repair services for windshield chips<\/a> smaller than a quarter, and cracks up to three inches long can be easily repaired.<\/p>

The\u00a0Repair of Laminated Automotive Glass Standard (ROLAGS) guide, administered by the\u00a0National Windshield Repair Association (NWRA)<\/a>, specifies limits on windshield repair sizes depending on the type of damage (bulls-eye, pit, crack, etc.) with the upper limits of a chip repair being three inches and a crack up to 14 inches. Again, these sizes may vary depending on the damage’s location and the glass technician’s capabilities. For technical specifications, check out the full ROLAGS guide<\/a>.<\/p>

\"windshield-crack-repair\"
Even long cracks in a windshield are sometimes repairable.<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>

Windshield Repair Depth<\/h3>

This is closely related to the size of the damage but in regards to how deep the damage penetrates the windshield<\/a>. A windshield is considered a glass sandwich\u2013 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.<\/p>

Windshield Repair Location<\/h3>

The location of the damage greatly affects the ability to perform a windshield<\/a> repair. If the damage intersects more than one outer edge of the glass, there is a greater chance that the windshield’s structural integrity has been compromised. Because the windshield is responsible for up to 60% of structural strength in the event of vehicle rollover, it must be replaced properly with a new windshield.<\/p>

Another place where windshield repair<\/a> should not be performed is within the driver’s line of sight (the glass covered by the driver’s windshield wiper). Windshield repairs will often cause some amount of distortion which can impair a driver’s view of the road if within their line of sight.<\/p>

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 windshield repair may cause malfunctions.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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\n\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tGet an Instant Windshield Replacement Quote For Your Vehicle Now!<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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When to <\/span>Replace<\/strong> Your Auto Glass<\/span><\/h2>\n

Replace your cracked windshield<\/a> when the above factors aren’t met. It’s always best to have your auto glass inspected by a professional in person. But as a rule of thumb, you’ll usually need auto glass replacement<\/em> <\/strong>if:<\/p>\n