Finding Glass That Makes A Statement

Faulty or damaged auto glass can pose as a very real and very significant safety hazard to you and your passengers. Whether the glass can be repaired or needs to be replaced will depend on the location of the damage, the type of damage on the glass, and the size of the damage. For example, your windshield cannot be repaired and will need to be replaced if it has chips larger than 3/8 of an inch and cracks longer than 3 inches. The cost of the auto glass replacement will depend on many factors, but, in particular, the type of glass and adhesive that will be used will play a huge role. This article will give you an in-depth look at the reasons why this might be.

Differentiate between Laminated and Tempered Glass

There are two different types of auto glass that you can choose for your replacement: laminated and tempered. Laminated glass is usually stronger so that it can absorb impact. It also helps strengthen your car's roof to prevent it from buckling down and falling on the passengers in the car in the event of an accident. It also prevents passengers from getting ejected through the windshield in the event of an accident.

While laminated glass is definitely the safer option, it is much more expensive. You do not need to install laminated glass throughout your car in order to enjoy the benefits that it provides. Instead, you'll save a lot of money by choosing laminated glass for your windshield only. Tempered glass is generally good enough for all other windows and will easily withstand overall wear from daily driving.

Use Different Adhesives at Different Areas

The front part of your vehicle will usually take on the most impact during an auto accident and will be most susceptible to overall wear during its lifetime. To properly install replacement auto glass, the proper adhesive needs to be used. Generally speaking, most auto shops will give you an array of options, but it usually boils down to either urethane or butyl.

Butyl adhesives tend to be a lot cheaper than urethane adhesives, and you can save a pretty penny if you choose the former. The cost of the bill will highly depend on the type of adhesives you use. If you are replacing auto glass in the front of the car, like the front windows or the windshield, you should definitely go with urethane adhesives, as they are much stronger than butyl adhesives. They have a bonding strength of at least 600 pounds per square inch, so they will exceed any safety standards in place.

If you're looking to save money, consider using only urethane adhesives for the front of your vehicle. You can request butyl adhesives for auto glass that will be installed at the rear quarter windows, as these areas require less bonding strength.

Conclusion

Naturally, the cost of labor will take up a large part of your bill; however, by making sure that you choose the right type of materials for the auto glass replacement needed, you can save some money. You don't always have to go with whatever is most expensive. In fact, at times, some of the cheaper options may be suitable depending on which auto glass needs to be replaced. Familiarizing yourself with the type of materials that will be used can also help you make a better purchasing decision. This way, you'll know whether the materials chosen are able to offer the protection that you and your passengers need. Look for auto glass replacement in your local area for more information about repairs.