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Windshield Replacement Overview

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The windshield of an aircraft, automobile, bus, motorcycle or tram is the front window. Windshields protect the vehicle's occupants from wind, temperature extremes, and flying debris such as dust, insects, and rocks. Properly installed automobile windshields are also essential to safety. Along with the roof of the car, the windshield provides protection in the case of a roll over accident in the vehicle.

In many places, laws restrict the use of heavily tinted glass in vehicle windshields. Laws usually specify the maximum level of tint permitted.

Modern windshields are made of laminated safety glass that consists of two layers of glass sandwiched around a layer of polyvinyl butyrate. Earlier windshields were made of toughened glass and were fitted in the frame using a rubber or neoprene seal. When damaged, sharp pieces of glass tend to adhere to the polyvinyl butyrate layer thereby reducing the danger to vehicle occupants from flying glass. The polyvinyl butyrate layer in laminated glass also exerts a cushioning effect to protect and keep occupants inside the vehicle during collisions.

Tempered, or heat strengthened glass, is also considered safety glass. Tempered glass is often used in vehicle side and back windows. When broken, tempered glass crumbles into rounded glass pebbles.

Laminated safety glass can normally be repaired, tempered glass cannot.

Windshields have evolved into complex, engineered glass systems with features such as heating elements to melt ice, coating to repel ultra-violet radiation, shade bands, radio and telephone antennas, satellite uplinks, heads up holographic instrument displays or sensors to activate windshield wipers or close convertible tops. The cost of the modern windshield has steadily increased with increased performance expectations.

On average 13 to 14 million windshields are replaced in the United States every year. Windshield replacement is a skill requiring extensive training and expert knowledge of proper installation materials and their use. All new vehicle manufacturers must comply with the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards on auto glass before offering vehicles for sale in the United States. While comparable safety standards for replacing damaged windshields in the aftermarket do not exist it is recommended that you insist their replacement windshield be installed in accordance with those standards. These standards include removing old urethane to approximately 1/16" depth, clean and prime the glass and the vehicle pinch weld; wear gloves to prevent contamination; use urethane adhesive; check for passenger side airbag and uses urethane rated for the job; discusses how long before the vehicle can be driven; and reviews the do's and don'ts of operation during the adhesive curing.

Next Page: Can My Windshield Be Repaired Or Should It Be Replaced?

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