A step-by-step guide to replace windshield and glass in your car

A step-by-step guide to replace windshield and glass in your car The most common and annoying problem with a 4-wheeler is when the rear view or window glass cracks or breaks and it needs car window replacement. However, whenever the windshield glass chips or cracks the problem needs immediate attention. To avoid a replacement, these problems need to be looked into immediately and fixed.

Most vehicle owners have only a couple of options, to visit a local repair shop or try to fix the problem themselves. However both these options are not worthy.

Here is a brief guideline to identify and fix the car window repair problem: To replace or to repair: The best strategy is to attempt to repair it first because car window repair can be heavy on your pockets. However, if the crack is deep or if the windscreen is broken, a replacement is inevitable. If the crack is not very deep then a professional repair service can help to solve the issue. They typically put a strong sealant and fill in the cracks so that it doesn’t damage further and is not visible.

Quality matters over price: There is a wide variety of windscreens available in the automobile market and choosing the right one can be a daunting process. The car window replacement cost is a huge range. Do not completely rely on the workshop mechanics for suggestions or advice. We suggest you use your discretion and be involved in the selection process. The thumb-rule is to find the closest match to the damaged part.

Most of the times the car manufacturers will have spare products and it might be covered in the vehicle insurance policy. Do take a rain-check before you dive in.

Know the ins and out: Rear windows are made of a completely different type of glass and that is why the price of replacement can be exorbitant at times. Typically the front windshields are made of laminated glass and the rear windshield is made of tempered glass. For a laminated glass 2 or 3 layers of glass sheets are burnt together. This is why they tend to be very strong and do not shatter easily.

The rear windshield which is made of tempered glass is prone to damage and can shatter easily. However, they are designed in such a way that they do not burst out and cause injuries to the passengers. The car rear glass replacement is fairly less expensive than the former.

Additional costs are involved: The car window replacement job does not start or end with replacing alone.

Before the process is undertaken a thorough clean-up is required and it is done at

an additional cost. Whenever the windshield shatters, a millions of glass pieces and shards are stuck in the rims of the windscreen holder and the inside of the car.

Even before starting the process, a technician will thoroughly clean the car.

A key point to note here is, typically the front windscreen does not shatter so cleaning may not be required. Check the car thoroughly before you start.

Other features involved Rear windshields of many cars come with a defrost grid. These grids help to defrost the snow and ice that tends to collect on the windscreen. They are more expensive and it is a time consuming repair process.