Signs You Should Replace Your Windshield

Owning and operating a vehicle requires a commitment to regular and ongoing maintenance – its can get costly, and can often be expensive. Day-to-day costs are routine, like gas, parking, insurance, and oil changes. But there are also unforeseen repairs, like windshield chips and cracks that can compromise your safety.

A vulnerable windshield should not be left without appropriate repair. You might get by with a small crack or chip in the short term, but in most cases this type of damage tends to get worse. When you address windshield damage immediately, small-scale damages like chips and cracks can be successfully repaired.

If you procrastinate and put off auto glass repairs till tomorrow, you may eventually need to replace your windshield completely. The best approach is to have your damaged windshield assessed by a professional. In this way, you can be sure about the safety of the windshield and if is replacement is required.

Can a Crack in My Windshield Spread?

A cracked windshield does have the potential to become a safety risk. As such, a crack can easily spread and replacement would be required. Windshields are made of laminated glass – it’s glass that is reinforced to provide a protective clear screen for your vehicle. Cracks and chips in your windshield can cause lamination to be damaged and can reduce the structural integrity of glass.

When you’re driving, the impact of a bumpy road can easily cause a windshield chip or crack to spread. This can cause additional damage to your windshield, and can even impair your visibility while driving. Weather can also worsen chips and cracks – temperature changes can cause the glass to expand and contract thereby deepening cracks and chips, while water from rain or snow freezing can cause cracks and/or chips to spread further.

It’s never a good idea to drive around with a cracked windshield, whether from a stone chip or an actual crack. In any scenario, it’s simply dangerous to drive around with a windshield that is close to shattering. Timely repairs prevent additional damages from developing, but more importantly, proper repairs ensure the safe operation of your vehicle, and safety for all vehicle occupants.

How Do I Know if My Windshield Needs to be Replaced?

When you take your vehicle to a reputable auto glass shop, a window glass specialist can assess the severity of damage and can recommend a solution. If the damaged area is repairable, then appropriate repairs can be made. Your windshield will require complete replacement if there are cracks at the edge of your windshield; if you have multiple chips or cracks throughout the surface; or if the windshield has extensive pitting that impairs your vision while you’re driving.

Can My Windshield be Replaced in the Cold Weather?

Winter or summer, your windshield can be replaced at any time of the year. In wintertime, with the cold weather, the resin used to set a windshield in place may need extra time to cure (with a UV lamp) – but this does not compromise the effectiveness or the efficacy of the replacement.

The age and condition of your vehicle might also affect curing time in winter, only because your glass technician may require the internal heating system of your vehicle to help with the curing. In the summer, resin can cure quite quickly, while in winter the process takes somewhat longer.

How Much Does it Cost to Replace a Windshield?

With good auto insurance, and a reasonable deductible amount, window glass repairs vary from one shop to another. While your auto glass shop may absorb your deductible amount, some repair work may go beyond the deductible. Here, there’s no option but to pay the extra.

If you have technology incorporated in your windshield, like a dash camera or a sensor of some sort, all of this has to be considered when a windshield is replaced. Indeed, this type of extra work will add cost to the total expense. Clearly, every vehicle is different in terms of needs.

The cost of windshield replacement will also depend on your car make and model (and if your vehicle is domestic or foreign made). A luxury vehicle, or a high-end sports car, for example, might require a special windshield product, and might even need additional labour to install.

If you’re shopping for auto glass repairs (or replacement) a reputable shop will ensure both an effective installation and a safe installation – that’s of utmost importance. At General Auto Glass we ensure windshield replacement with quality glass products and high quality workmanship.

Count on the professional in-house technicians at General Auto Glass

If you’re shopping around for windshield repairs (or replacement), you can count on the professionals at General Auto Glass. We can handle every type of window glass in your vehicle, and we are experienced with all of the makes and models (foreign and domestic as well).

For all of your vehicle glass repairs in and around York Region, trust the professionals at General Auto Glass. We do our best to make repairs before recommending complete glass replacement.

• all of our window glass products and our installations are guaranteed
• we streamline all insurance processes, as well as deductible coverage
• our pricing on all OEM window glass products is industry competitive
• our in-house auto glass technicians are trained, certified, and insured

Throughout York Region and the Greater Toronto Area, General Auto Glass offers customers every type of window glass repair and/or replacement. We service cars, vans, trucks, and SUVs. Best of all, our customers can be sure that complete satisfaction is guaranteed – for the products we install and our installations.

At General Auto Glass, we strive for optimal customer satisfaction, regardless of the type of work we’re doing. Our OEM products are backed by a manufacturer’s lifetime warranty that is quite comprehensive – including window leakage, manufacturer defects, or installation issues.

We offer our customers flexible shop hours, as well as convenient mobile service. In fact, our mobile technicians can provide service in Markham, Stouffville, and North York. Find out more about our services by calling 905-604-0433 or visiting us at www.generalautoglass.ca .