It used to be that when your windshield got cracked, you had to get it replaced. It was the law, and there was nothing else that could be done about it. Today, things are different. The auto glass repair shop in your area is probably using a new resin that can be applied to small cracks in the windshield, sealing up the crack and preventing any further damage. This is cheaper than a full replacement and it is such a great option that any insurance companies will pay for the fix outright.
While it may be cheaper and better to take your car to an auto glass repair shop than to have the entire windshield replaced, it’s important to know that taking care of even the smallest chip or crack should be done as soon as possible. Both the cold and warm weather will put varying degrees of stress on your windshield, causing further damage that might not be immediately obvious. In the winter months, the windshield will warp in a more concave direction. This means that any cracks in the windshield will begin spreading horizontally even if there is no other form of stress on the windshield. The warm weather has the opposite effect and can cause cracks to begin spreading up and down.
Once a crack has reached a certain size, an auto glass repair shop will have no choice but to recommend a full replacement. In some states, insurance will still cover 100% of the cost. If that is the case where you live, it’s no big deal to go ahead and get it done. Still, there are disadvantages to getting a full replacement even when it is covered by insurance. The new windshield may have different properties than your old one, such as being dimmer or a slightly different slope. These transitions can be irritating for someone who has been used to the old windshield.
When it’s time to look for an auto glass repair shop, don’t limit your search to companies that give away free boxes of steak or other gimmicks to get you in the door. There’s nothing wrong with incentives, but you want to make sure that you’re dealing with a trustworthy, competent company. Do a little research into the background of the company and see what online reviews have to say about them. Any time someone is working on your car in any capacity, you want to know you’re in trusted hands.
