Generally speaking, most small cracks and chips in your windshield can be easily repaired by a qualified auto glass technician. In regards to the size of the damaged area, a good rule of thumb is that if the crack or chip is smaller than the size of a dollar bill, it can most likely be repaired without requiring the windshield to be replaced.

By law, if the damaged area is within the direct line of sight of the driver, the windshield must be replaced. Also, a repair should be considered only if the damage affects the top layer of glass. If the damage has affected the PVB layer, then the windshield should be replaced, as this would cause the structural integrity of your windshield to be compromised.

Modern windshields can contain many features including heating mechanisms, sensors, tints, coatings, and radio antennas. They may even contain more sophisticated features including heads-up-displays (HUD) and satellite uplinks. With these kinds of features, it is not hard to understand why windshields can be expensive. This is also why windshield repair is a common solution to cracked, scratched, and damaged windshields.

During a windshield repair, the technician uses a specially formulated resin, injecting it into the damaged area of the glass. The resin is then cured, restoring the windshield’s integrity, and polished to restore the clarity of the glass. If the windshield has become damaged to the point where the PVB layer is compromised, repair should not be considered and complete replacement is required.

In the event of a rollover, the windshield prevents the roof from collapsing inward into the passenger compartment. In some vehicles, the windshield can provide up to 50% of the auto’s rollover strength.

According to the NHTSA, rollover crashes account for a mere 3% of all collisions, while that same small percentage is responsible for 31% of total vehicular fatalities. The administration also explains how, in 2000, almost 10,000 vehicles were involved in fatal rollover crashes and that 84% of those accidents involved only one vehicle. In 2001, 54% of all single vehicle crash deaths occurred as a result of rollovers.

These figures make it clear that having a structurally sound windshield is one of the best measures you can take to protect yourself from serious injury or death in the event of a rollover accident. When your windshield has become damaged, seek the expertise of an experienced auto glass repair technician as soon as possible.

The windshields of all vehicles are constructed from a type of glass known as laminated glass. This type of glass is different than what is used for the rest of your vehicle’s windows. Used since 1927, laminated glass is created by placing a thin sheet of adhesive plastic between two layers of glass. This transparent plastic is called polyvinyl butyrate, or PVB, and is infused with the glass using extreme pressure and heat. The PVB sheet holds the glass together in the event of impact, and prevents the windshield from shattering. This helps prevent further injury to the occupants that may be caused from the shattered glass.