Windshield Repair or Replacement?

by admin on December 28, 2011

Windshield Chip Pattern

Windshield Chip Pattern

Windshield Chip Repairs = Going Green and Saving Green $$$

Have a chip or crack in your windshield?  So how do you know whether it should be repaired or replaced?  Here are a few things you should know when considering a windshield repair or replacement and your safety:

If the total size of the damage is less than the size of a quarter, it is not in the direct eyesight of the driver and is not within 2 inches of the edge; it can be repaired.  Repairing your windshield is not only a cost effective solution (it may even be free if your insurance company waives the cost!), but it is the green way to go.  Other benefits include preventing your chip or crack to spread so you do not have to pay for an entire replacement and you do not have to re-open the seal of your current windshield.

If the total damage is larger than the size of a credit card, you should replace your windshield as soon as possible for you and your passengers’ safety as the windshield helps your vehicle maintain it’s structural integrity in the event of an accident when properly installed.

Need a quote for your windshield replacement?  Contact A+ Auto Glass

{ 32 comments }

Morris @ Windshield Repair Las Vegas July 9, 2012 at 1:09 pm

Repairing your windshield is the smartest way to save your money but sometimes it may be dangerous when you take much repairing work on the deep cracks. According to my opinion you have replacement when cracks are too deep. Keep sharing some more things.

ViralPunch August 17, 2012 at 10:18 pm

Thank you for sharing! It’s important for consumers to know that repair can be an option. If you’re unsure, an auto glass installer can tell you whether your windshield can be repaired or needs replaced. Thank you again for the information!

Phoenix Auto Glass Replacement October 11, 2012 at 4:10 pm

Repair or Replace, that is a common question. This blog has useful information for people who are not educated on this. Great professional advice!

Josee October 9, 2015 at 5:12 am

No , its not like that!!! Your windshield is part of the cars stutrucre. Its bonded to the car now, and that’s why they crack the way they do. The flex of your car will put stress on the windshield and it wont stop till the crack reaches the other side. All front windshields are actually made of two thin sheets of glass with a thin sheet of plastic glued between then. When the window is shattered the plastic sheet keeps the glass in little pieces.Sorry .Good luck on your repair

Phoenix Auto Glass Repair November 17, 2012 at 3:11 am

The most important thing is to allow a certified technician to inspect the damage on your auto glass, to determine whether or not it requires a full replacement, or just a repair. Those are some great guidelines you stated above though, to give drivers an idea of what to expect. Thanks for the informative post!

Rachman December 18, 2015 at 1:03 pm

I cracked mine and caelld my insurance, they sent a repair guy out to me at my work who replaced the whole windshield and it only cost me my excess.So I guess,..give them a call. It didn’t affect my no claim bonus either.But it will depend on which kind of cover you have.

Violette Wise January 22, 2016 at 10:58 pm

I have a crack that is probably a little bit bigger than the size of a quarter. I want to get it fixed right away so it doesn’t spread. Would a repair compromise the whole windshield in this case, or would it be o.k.?

Tyler Meredith January 29, 2016 at 1:55 am

I like what this article says about the total size of the damage. I have yet to measure the chip that I got, but I think using a quarter to gauge the severity of it could be a good way of knowing whether to replace it or repair it. Of course I will have to take it to professional auto glass services to get a better idea, but this could be a good way to get an expectation. Thanks for sharing, this has some great advice!

Rockford Johnson April 8, 2016 at 8:33 pm

Cool post! Thank you for helping me know when it is time to repair my windshield and when it is time to replace my windshield. I like how you said that “If the total damage is larger than the size of a credit card, you should replace your windshield as soon as possible for you and your passengers’ safety as the windshield helps your vehicle maintain it’s structural integrity in the event of an accident when properly installed.” I have never had problems with my windshield before but I can imagine how important it would be to replace it as soon as possible when cracks or damages do occur.

Lillian Schaeffer April 18, 2016 at 9:42 pm

This is some great information, and I appreciate your suggestion to have your windshield replaced if the damage is larger than a credit card. I noticed a new crack on my windshield the other day, and it’s several inches long, so I think it’s bigger than a credit card. I’ll definitely look into replacing the entire windshield so I can keep myself and my passengers safe. Thanks for the great post!

Lillian Schaeffer July 13, 2016 at 2:16 pm

This is some great information, and I appreciate your point that damage less than the size of a quarter can be repaired. My husband and I just got back from a road trip, and we picked up a few chips on the way, but they’re all small. They’re not in the driver’s line of sight, so we’ll definitely look into having those repaired before they spread. Thanks for the great post!

Kendall Ryder July 18, 2016 at 4:10 pm

I recently had a rock hit my windshield and it was originally just a small crack. I didn’t get it repaired and it eventually turned into something bigger. Now I am thinking I need to get the whole thing replaced! It would have been better if I had just gotten it taken care of right away rather than wait. But oh well I guess. At least I am able to still get it fixed.

April Cook August 23, 2016 at 4:46 pm

I didn’t know that a chip close to the edge would meant he windshield needs to be replaced. Id that because the glass is weaker around the edges? I got two little chips yesterday when a gravel truck was on the road in front of me. I know they are small enough to repair, but I will have to double check their location. Thanks for this information!

Rockford Johnson August 26, 2016 at 1:10 pm

It was cool to learn about windshield repair and replacement. I like how you explained that repairing your windshield is a cost effective solution to repairing chips or cracks in your windshield. I hope that this article can save me money if I ever have problems with my windshield in the future.

Jeff Carbine October 10, 2016 at 6:26 pm

I did not know that if a chip was less than the size of a quarter—along with not being in the driver’s eyesight or close to the edge—it could be repaired. I was under the impression that chips had to be quite small in order to be repaired. I got a chip the other week off roading, and I was worried I was going to have to place the entire windshield. Looks like I don’t have to do that now!

Braden Bills October 19, 2016 at 1:04 pm

There’s a crack in my windshield, but I don’t know if I should have it replaced. The total damage size is much bigger than a quarter, so it doesn’t look like repairing it is an option. I’ll take it in to get it replaced, then!

Erika Brady November 1, 2016 at 2:35 pm

This information has been so helpful! I got a chip in my windshield and have been trying to figure out if it should be repaired or needs to be replaced. The size is less than a quarter, and is not in my eyesight, but it is within 2 inches of the edge. If that is the case I will probably need to have it replaced it sounds like. Thanks for letting me know. I will call someone and see what steps I need to take to get it replaced.

Kenneth Gladman November 15, 2016 at 7:15 pm

I didn’t know that insurance companies could waive some costs of small cracks or chips. I have been putting off getting mine fixed and I know that is wrong. I will have to contact my provider and see if I can get it free.

Luke Yancey November 16, 2016 at 2:48 pm

I didn’t know that chips or cracks can be repaired as long as they are not within two inches from the edge of the windshield! A rock just chipped my windshield. I should probably take care of it soon.

siaosi November 18, 2016 at 5:01 pm

I would love to be able to know if my window needs to be replaced or fixed. I think it would be nice to get my windshield inspected. I would like to get the chips repaired so that there is not a crack.

Helen November 21, 2016 at 6:57 pm

This is really helpful to have some guidelines for knowing how severe a crack or chip is in your windshield. I hadn’t considered that it isn’t just about the size of the crack, but also the location. When in doubt, you can always have a professional give it a look and get their opinion.

Finn Stewart November 29, 2016 at 5:20 pm

I noticed yesterday that I have a new chip on my car’s windshield. Because I’m worried about my windshield shattering, I started looking to see if that meant I should get the windshield replaced. That’s why I appreciate you sharing that if the total size of the damage is less than the size of a quarter, it can be repaired. Mine is a lot bigger than that, so I might have to get it replaced.

Elsa Anderson November 30, 2016 at 3:14 pm

I really like how you mention that if the crack or chip in your windshield is larger than the size of a credit card, you should replace your windshield. I was driving behind a truck with gravel in it’s bed and some of the rocks flew out and chipped my windshield. The cracks are definitely bigger than the size of a credit card, so I should probably have the whole thing replaced just to be safe.

Dave Anderson December 2, 2016 at 4:27 pm

My windshield was cracked driving home last week and I was wondering whether it needs to be repaired or replaced. I had no idea that anything bigger than the size of a credit card would have to be replaced. I always thought that as long as it was not going from one edge of the glass to another it was fine. Thanks for the great information, I will be going to the auto shop to get it fixed as soon as possible.

Johnny McCarron January 30, 2017 at 10:16 pm

I didn’t realize that such small damage needed to be replaced. I’ve had a huge crack on my windshield. But, I haven’t yet replaced it. Do you have any other tips about finding someone good to replace your windshield?

Auto Glass Replacement McKinney TX February 9, 2017 at 4:35 pm

A+ Auto Glass is the best. They were very nice and prompt. The professionalism they displayed was excellent and I would recommend them to anyone. Thanks guys for the best deal in town.

Braden Bills February 17, 2017 at 3:26 pm

I’ve noticed a crack in my windshield. Thankfully it’s small enough that I can have it repaired! I’ll be sure to hire a professional to repair that for me!

Max July 24, 2017 at 3:51 pm

My car windshield has had some issues, and I think that finding an auto glass repair company would be good for me. I’m glad that you talked about going with a replacement over auto glass repair if the damage is bigger than a credit card, which I don’t think that mine is. I’m going to have to take my car into an auto glass repair shop and see what they recommend for my windshield! Thank you!

Raeger Wynchester November 23, 2017 at 1:34 am

I agree with you that a windshield helped in maintaining the structural strength and integrity of a car and that if the damage on it is larger than a credit card then it’s eligible for replacement. The windshield of my car was damaged yesterday when a rock fell on it while I was out buying groceries. I’m worried about me and my family’s safety, so I plan to get it repaired right away. Thanks for sharing this. It’s really helpful.

Duncan Lance July 12, 2018 at 12:00 am

Size really is the determining factor when you’re trying to figure out whether you need your windshield repaired or replaced. As the article points out, if the chip or crack is smaller than a quarter then repairs will usually be find. However, if the crack is spread out across the windshield then you’ll probably just want to replace it entirely.

Liz Hudson July 31, 2019 at 6:04 pm

It’s a relief to know that a chip smaller than a quarter can be repaired rather than having to replace the entire windshield. Last night I was driving behind a truck when a rock flew up and hit the bottom corner of my windshield. I don’t want the chip to spread into a larger crack, so I will look into getting that chip repaired as soon as possible.

Lloyd Bronson August 19, 2019 at 2:07 pm

I am glad that in your article, you included the various factors of what can constitute as a repair job or what is a replacement job. As someone who is looking to get their windshield either repaired or replaced, I have found that the service needed on my windshield will be a replacement job. As a result, I will look further into the processes needed in order to determine the specialist that will work best for me.

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