Driving with a damaged windshield is risky, especially when the driver’s line of sight is altered. A vehicle’s windshield serves as more than a window and barrier to the elements. It is also an important safety device, preventing occupants from being tossed from the vehicle when in a collision. It has a vital role in the structural integrity of the vehicle as well, as its function is to prevent the roof from collapsing inward in the event of a roll-over. Lastly, the passenger airbag won’t deploy correctly if the windshield is compromised. To function correctly, the windshield must withstand the impact of the airbag hitting it to inflate correctly.
The windshield Auto glass in Washington DC is different than then glass in the windows of a home and even from other windows in the vehicle. The windshield is made from a specialty glass known as heat-strengthened glass. It combines two pieces of this glass laminated with a plastic substance known as PVB and has been required since 1996. It offers superior visibility, reduces UV penetration, and noise level reduction.
The winter season is a threat to a car’s windshield because of the dramatic changes in temperature due to the use of windshield defrosters. This is a concern for
compromised windshields because of the effect of temperature changes on cracks and chips. Defects, cracks, and chips in the driver’s line of sight can affect the field of vision and in most states, vehicles will not pass a state inspection. If left untreated, many seemingly innocuous cracks and chips will only get worse.
Fortunately, a complete windshield replacement is not always required and businesses like Beltway Auto & Plate Glass can often repair many small breaks and cracks. After the technician prepares the area, a resin like that used in the windshields manufacture is injected into the crack or chip, leveled, and allowed to cure under a UV light. Once set, the area is polished eradicating all evidence of damage. The repairs are permanent and require about an hour to perform.
Upon observation of damage to Auto glass in Washington DC, it is imperative to get it repaired quickly while it is small and manageable. Repairing a small chip or crack is always less expensive than replacing an entire windshield. Keep in mind that insurance companies will cover the cost for the repair or replacement and some may even waive the deductible, depending on your policy.
