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While the cracks in your windshield may be in areas that don’t obstruct your field of vision while driving, they may bring a secondary safety concern with them. If you’re in a traffic accident, a cracked windshield is more prone to shattering on impact than an intact windshield.
In the early years, windshields were made of common glass, but as more vehicles on the roads led to more accidents, this highlighted a big problem. Real glass shatters into dangerous shards when broken.
Laminated glass for windshields was invented in the early 1900s. The process was invented independently by a couple of European inventors: The French Edouard Benedictus and the English John C. Wood. Both of them took two pieces of glass and sandwiched a layer of cellulose in the middle.
Small chips or divots on the glass do not take long to repair and can be done in an auto glass repair store. Windshields can take longer since there are more steps involved.
The first patent for tempered glass appeared in 1900, but it took decades to find its way onto cars. It started being used for side windows and rear windows starting in the 1950s. Its characteristic shattering into small beads also gave it the name "safety glass."
“Windshield” is the common term used through the North America. However, throughout Australasia and the British Isles, windshields are known as “windscreens.”
Typically, there are two primary goals in glass restoration endeavors. The first goal is to restore overall clarity, sparkle and shine, and the second one is to remove any scratches or mars that affect the appearance.
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As mundane as it seems, the glass in your car plays a vital role in your safety and the vehicle’s structural integrity. As a result, the Auto Safety Glass Council (AGSC) has established rigorous certification standards for auto glass installers.
Because the traditional glass used in automobiles could crack and shatter, in 1919, Ford became one of the first auto manufacturers to use laminated glass in the front and rear windshields, which helped improve safety, durability and structural integrity.
One of the safety features of tempered glass used in automobile windows, besides that it’s stronger than regular glass, is that it’s designed to crumble to pieces once it does receive enough impact force to cause it to break. This prevents it from being in large, sharp chunks like other glass that can easily cut and slice other objects and people.
How important is your windshield? In a front end collision, it provides up to 45% of the structural strength of the vehicle cabin. In a rollover accident, it accounts for up to 60% of the vehicle cabin’s structural strength.
When water gets inside a crack or chip on a window and temperatures fall below freezing, the water inside will expand and create a large crack. This keeps happening until the crack is too big to repair. This is why it’s important to fix chips and cracks right away and especially before cold weather sets in.
In the rare case that a chip is on the inside of the glass, the windshield may need to be replaced. Cracks in the driver’s line of sight are also harder to repair.
Windows with window tints can be a slightly different story. Depending on the window that needs repair, our experts can help you determine the best option for your car. Often, a new window can be installed, or damage repaired, and a new window tint film will have to be used on that window.
Mary Anderson devised the first operational windshield wiper in 1903. She called her invention a “window cleaning device” for cars and other vehicles.
Did you know? Thirty percent of auto insurance claims are windshields, making them the number one insurance claim in the United States.
Remember – if your windshield or car window repair is covered by your insurance, you do not have to use the company they recommend; you can choose whomever you prefer. We will work with your insurance company to make sure the transaction goes smoothly.
Did you know that a small crack or chips in the windows or windshield are often enlarged and worsened by cold weather? This is because water and condensation can get inside the crack or chip, then when temperatures fall below freezing, such as at night, the water trapped inside will expand and create a crack. This keeps happening until the crack is too big to repair.
The National Highway Transportation Safety Administration has a number of auto glass safety regulations. One regulation requires a certain level of window transparency.
Since the condition of your windshield is critical to your ability to safely drive, having cracks and chips in it can be a top priority for many car owners. Remember, repair may allow you to restore your windshield’s condition without having to replace it.
If dirt and debris get into a crack or chip on your windshield, it can be more difficult to repair. You can avoid this by putting a piece of clear tape over the damage as temporary protection until it’s repaired.
Henry Ford began using laminated glass for windshields in 1919 and required its use in all Ford cars in the 1920s. Ford’s River Rouge Plant created this glass using the glass factory that was on-site.
Laminated glass is a safety mechanism in cars. The broken pieces of glass are still bound to the internal plastic layer and can be cut, drilled, and edge-worked.
Window and windshield repair uses specially designed tools and resins to clean and treat the cracks or chips. As technology improves over time, the tools and resins we use have become better and better at repairing these chips and cracks.We use the most current forms of technology available!
If your car has a passenger airbag, additional glass strength is necessary to support the airbag deployment, which means we use a faster-acting glass adhesive.
By the time he died in 1941, American chemist Carleton Ellis had 753 patents to his name. In addition to inventing the first vegetable oil margarine, he invented a clear resin that made laminated auto glass possible.
When it comes to determining whether you need windshield repair or replacement, locating the damage is usually a major factor. Cracks at the edge of the windshield tend to spread very quickly, compromising the structural integrity of the glass and thus requiring replacement.
While you may have no trouble being able to see around a crack in your windshield, area police officers may doubt the safety of your vehicle. Having your auto glass replaced as soon as you realize it can’t be repaired may help you avoid getting pulled over.
Around the 1920s, engineers began to use urethane glue to bond windshield glass to car frames. These windshields did not break into small shards when they shattered, rather, they broke into a pattern similar to a spider web.
The glass in your windshield is actually different than the glass everywhere else. Your windshield uses laminated glass to make it stronger and not shatter. The other windows are tempered glass, and will shatter into round glass pebbles if hit.
Did you know that Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS) require auto glass adhesives to be six times stronger for cars with passenger airbags?
Not all windshield repair resins are created equally, and not all resins will work on all windshield damage. As auto glass restoration and repair experts, we can evaluate the extent of the damage and select the right resin for the job.
Glass was first made in Egypt more than 7,000 years ago, as early as 3,000 B.C. Glass can be found in its natural state as a by-product of volcanic activity.
So what does FMVSS stand for? This refers to the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards, which have set a number of standards regarding auto glass. FMVSS must be adhered to with every windshield installation.
To replace a windshield or back window of a vehicle, the technician must remove the old window, then uses primers and adhesives, installs a new window. Often, this adhesive can be set enough to drive your car home after one hour. After 24 hours for most adhesives it will be completely set.
Curing is the process by which the adhesive dries and reaches its optimum strength. When it comes to windshield replacement, the curing time essentially depends on the type of adhesive used and other factors such as humidity.
Newer vehicles may require glass directly from the dealership. Older cars’ windshields can typically be repaired or replaced in more places since the glass has become more common.
There are several reasons why it’s important to repair a windshield chip as soon as possible. Not only is this a safety concern, but increased pressure could turn the chip into a crack at a moment’s notice, leading to a costly windshield replacement.
Did you know that warm weather conditions can cause windshield chips to spread into vertical cracks? This is because the heat distorts the shape of the glass, leading to cracking—a condition made worse by the cooling effect of the air conditioning unit.
Sunroof systems may be manual or electric. Manual sunroofs may have a lever actuated, venting pop-ups, or a crank operated for sliding systems to move the glass. Moonroof systems are electric and are usually cable driven by a motor to move the glass.
Part of the monetary value of any vintage and classic cars resides in the glass. Replacement glass restores functionality, but genuine vintage glass with its original manufacturer’s date codes and identifiers helps increase the appraisal and resale value of the vehicle.
Is your front windshield cracked or damaged? Arrange to have it replaced immediately. While modern auto safety glass is designed to remain in place, a broken windshield poses a safety risk and can result in traffic fines.
Keep a safe distance when travelling behind other vehicles so that you are less likely to encounter rocks debris flung behind it. A safe distance is approximately four car lengths.
An early windshield defroster, manufactured in 1930 by an Illinois company, can be found in the Smithsonian’s collection. This defroster would attach to a windshield with suction cups to defog windows.
We recognize that your windshield isn’t the only important piece of glass on your vehicle. Whether you’re having trouble with the glass on your headlights or your passenger windows, we’re always here to help you restore visibility.
Did you know that not all damaged windshields need to be replaced? We can often repair those with small chips or cracks by injecting a clear resin into the fracture.
Driving your car before the "drive-away time" is up may compromise the adhesive seal on your windshield, resulting in air and/or water leaks in the future.
Proper repair or replacement of your windshield is important, as it helps keep your vehicle safe. An incorrectly installed windshield could pop out in an accident, allowing the roof to cave in and crush the car’s occupants.
Thanks, Mary! Mary Anderson invented windshield wipers in 1903 after noticing that a New York trolley car could not keep its windshield clear.
To prevent tampering, many military windshield stickers are designed to break into multiple pieces if they’re removed from the glass. If your windshield is broken, removing the sticker and saving the pieces can sometimes speed up sticker replacement.
In the early 1900s, people were at risk to lose their lives in accidents by going headfirst through their windshield. This event was called “wearing a glass necklace.”
While you can tape a plastic bag over a missing window to keep water and debris out of your car in a pinch, it’s not a feasible long-term solution. When you’re ready to ditch the noisy plastic bag, we’re always ready to install your new glass.
Thanks, Mary! Mary Anderson invented windshield wipers in 1903 after noticing that a New York trolley car could not keep its windshield clear.
To prevent tampering, many military windshield stickers are designed to break into multiple pieces if they’re removed from the glass. If your windshield is broken, removing the sticker and saving the pieces can sometimes speed up sticker replacement.
In 1938, Carleton Ellis invented the first crystal-clear synthetic resin, called PVB (polyvinyl butyral). Because it did not discolor, retained its clarity over time and helped block UV rays, it was the ideal material for laminated windshields.
Did you know there is such a thing as a wiperless windshield? These windshields use a mechanism other than wipers to remove rain and snow.
In the early 1900s, people were at risk to lose their lives in accidents by going headfirst through their windshield. This event was called “wearing a glass necklace.”
While you can tape a plastic bag over a missing window to keep water and debris out of your car in a pinch, it’s not a feasible long-term solution. When you’re ready to ditch the noisy plastic bag, we’re always ready to install your new glass.
Thanks, Mary! Mary Anderson invented windshield wipers in 1903 after noticing that a New York trolley car could not keep its windshield clear.