A cracked windshield is one of the most common — and most frustrating — problems that car owners deal with. When it comes to windshield damages, you’ll usually be faced with either a repair or replacement service to make sure your windshield is crack-free. But how do you know whether a windshield replacement or repair service is more appropriate?
There are a few different factors that you should take into consideration when making this decision. Here are a few:
- Size. Larger cracks and chips usually necessitate a windshield replacement, whereas cracks shorter than the size of a dollar bill can often be fixed by a repair service. Larger damages are more difficult to repair, and in these cases, it makes more sense to simply replace the windshield altogether than try to save the existing one.
- Amount. Even small chips and cracks will warrant a windshield replacement if there are several present. Generally speaking, if you have more than three chips in your windshield, you’ll want to replace the windshield rather than repair it. This is in large part because the more damage there is, the more likely your windshield is to shatter.
- Location. The stability of your windshield is affected by the location of the damage. For example, a small chip in the passenger’s line of sight can likely be repaired, but a crack on the edge of the windshield will usually result in a windshield replacement. Due to how the windshield sits in your vehicle, damages in certain areas are more susceptible to shattering your windshield, which is a significant safety concern.
Whether you need to repair or replace your windshield, we here at Mark’s Collision Repair are happy to help you out. Come visit our shop today for your auto glass needs.