Laminated auto glass has many excellent benefits and has been in use for several decades. This special type of glass is manufactured by combining two curved sheets of glass with an inner layer of plastic sandwiched in the middle using intense pressure and heat in an autoclave. During this process, the glass adheres to the plastic, so that when the glass is impacted, the pieces stay affixed to the plastic center.
Some laminated auto glass contains polyvinyl butaryl which effectively stretches inward or outward upon impact, while still holding the glass together. This resistance to breakage prevents objects from entering the front area of the car as well as preventing people from being ejected from the vehicle in a collision. The windshield also keeps the integrity of the car intact, preventing passengers from being crushed in a rollover accident. Improperly installed windshields can also prevent airbags from deploying properly.

Since laminated auto glass does not break easily, it is used exclusively for windshields and not for side windows of vehicles. Side windows need to be easily breakable in the case of an accident or emergency, so that they can be broken out, allowing passengers to escape. Tempered glass is used in side windows because it breaks into many very small pieces, rather than shards which can cause serious injuries. Tempered glass is also referred to as “lite” glass or safety glass.

As laminated auto glass does not break easily, it is important that front seat passengers wear safety belts, which will prevent them from coming in contact with the windshield, which can cause serious head and facial injuries. Passengers are also retained in the vehicle in the case of a rollover accident, which is one of the leading causes of death in car accidents.

Laminated auto glass effectively prevents approximately 97% of the sun’s ultraviolet rays from entering the inside of a vehicle, which can preserve regular gas mileage in hot summer weather. This directly reduces the need for drivers to use their air conditioning, resulting in no increased gas mileage.

The transmission of high frequency sound is reduced by the use of laminated auto glass. This ensures that stereo systems inside the vehicle sound better because the sound waves are kept inside of the car.
Vehicles can be made “bullet proof” by adding multiple layers of laminated auto glass.

Other less widely known uses for laminated glass are in greenhouses, shower enclosures and thermometers. Some office buildings or skyscrapers use this kind of glass because it will not break out and will not drop and shatter in the event of an earthquake.

If you’re responsible for paying a deductible to have a windshield installed and know what your deductible is then call and get price quotes from various auto glass shops before scheduling service.  This will help you determine whether it’s cost effective to file a claim on your insurance or just pay cash.  A comprehensive claim shouldn’t raise your insurance premium on its own but it does count towards the total volume of claims that you file in a calendar year.  This was explained to me by an insurance agent I had to deal with in the past.  I had filed a $59 windshield repair claim for a customer in the past and a month later had to work with the insurance agent to remove this claim in order to cancel the increase my customer incurred on her policy.  The customer ultimately paid me cash and her monthly premium returned to its normal amount.  From that day forward I always let customers know that filing a windshield repair or replacement claim could cause an increase in their premium if they’ve had other claims which were filed during the year.  I also tell them that the only person qualified to give a definitive answer as to whether a comprehensive claim will increase their insurance premium or not is their insurance agent.

Know what your deductible is prior to calling glass shops so you can determine whether or not to file a claim before scheduling service.   My recommendation is to not risk an increase in your insurance premium if your deductible is only going to save you $50 to $100.

In some states if your inspection sticker has been damaged or stolen it’s a matter of showing your receipt for the original inspection sticker in order to have a new one issued. Newly issued stickers will usually cover the remaining time frame that was on the original damaged or stolen sticker. If the state you live in doesn’t offer a new inspection sticker based on the receipt then you’ll more than likely have to pay for a temporary replacement sticker which is generally $12 to $15 dollars. Most states will not issue a temporary replacement sticker without showing the receipt for the original inspection sticker. Even if you end up paying for a whole new inspection in order to get a sticker it’s better than getting a ticket and paying a fine for not having the sticker.

Most auto glass shops are aware of their local state law in regards to inspection stickers and will let you know how to get a new sticker if they are restricted by the law and unable to transfer your original sticker.

Washing a vehicle too soon after having a new windshield installed can cause problems if the urethane hasn’t completely cured.  A good rule is to wait at least 24 hours after the installation process before taking the vehicle to a car wash.  Car washes (unlike the rain) have extremely high pressure nozzles which force large amounts of water onto the vehicle and windshield during the cleaning process.  This large amount of water can easily force itself under the rubber trim of the windshield and penetrate the fresh urethane which is trying to dry.  It is this penetration of water that can cause an air pocket between the windshield and the body of the car.   These air pockets can cause future water leaks and wind noise which ultimately lead to the need for another replacement.

Putting off that car wash for another day can ultimately save on time and frustration in the future!

What causes scratches in the front windshield?
The biggest offender is the metal edge of the wiper blade.  This is something that caused me to need a windshield replacement.  Inspect your wiper blades monthly and replace any that appear to be worn out or starting to wear out.  Taking this step is a lot less expensive than paying for a new front windshield.

Here are some tips to help avoid scratching your windshield:

• Clean your windshield – If your windshield is extremely dirty try to rinse it off prior to turning on the wiper blades.  Wiper blades are there to help keep the windshield clean but if you use them to clean an extremely dirty windshield you could damage the wiper blades and possibly scratch the glass by pushing the dirt around.
• Use your wiper fluid – If it’s not raining and you plan to turn on the wipers be sure to use wiper fluid.  Dry wiper blades can trap small dust particles and other debris which can cause scratches.
• Replace your wiper blades – If your wiper blades appear to have nicks or tears in them which expose the metal to your windshield then you’re running the risk of damaging your windshield beyond repair.

The steps above take very little time and effort to follow.  Just remember that checking your blades regularly takes less than 30 seconds which is a very small amount of time that could keep you from spending hundreds of dollars on a new windshield.  Should you find yourself in need of a replacement visit our auto glass replacement quote page and let us connect you with a reliable shop in your area.