Important Reasons for Replacing or Repairing Your Cracked Windshield

Have you ever gotten into your car and discovered a new crack in your windshield? How did it get there? More importantly, what do you do about it? Did you know driving with a cracked windshield can impact your driving? These questions will be answered in this article as we discuss the important reasons for replacing or repairing your cracked windshield. Remember that this is a guide; an auto glass professional should always assess your damage firsthand before deciding. Many factors go into the decision to replace or repair your cracked windshield.

Thornton, Colorado, locals (and surrounding cities)! My Complete Autoglass is here for all your windshield repairs and replacing your windshield.

Table of Contents:

  1. How do Windshields Crack?
  2. The Legality of Cracked Windshields in Colorado
  3. When to Repair Your Windshield and When to Replace Your Windshield
  4. Auto Glass Service in Thornton, CO

How Do Windshields Crack?

Road debris refers to any object on the road that should not be there. Litter from other vehicles, broken pieces from car accidents, and small objects such as rocks are all common road debris. When these objects are kicked up into the air, they can bounce and cause damage to your vehicle. Smaller items typically cause more minor windshield chips, but force upon impact does play a significant role in the resulting damage.

Gravel

Driving along a gravel road or behind a construction vehicle can often result in a piece or two of gravel saying hello to your windshield. Depending on the gravel’s size and impact angle, gravel pieces can cause cracks and chips in your windshield.

Weather-Related

The windshield of your vehicle can crack due to natural, weather-related causes. Parking in the direct sun can cause the glass to expand, contracting again once cool. This movement can create cracks across your windshield seemingly overnight. Swift pressure changes are also a natural element that can lead to you in need of replacing your windshield. Hail storms, a regular occurrence this time of year in Thornton, Colorado, can also cause severe windshield damage.

Some auto glass repairs may be covered under a comprehensive auto insurance plan. Check with your auto insurance agent to see what natural disasters are covered for you and your vehicle. To mitigate these natural causes, park in a covered, temperature-controlled area when possible, or at least out of direct sunlight.

Environmental Debris

Environmental debris is anything that comes into contact with your windshield from your environment. This could include branches, nuts, or fruits from parking under a tree. Accidents are also considered to be environmental debris. Having your car parked at the wrong place at the wrong time and catching a stray ball can also damage your windshield. Significant impacts such as a baseball will often cause cracking across the entire windshield, forcing you to schedule an appointment to replace the windshield.

Thornton, Colorado, locals can reach out to My Complete Autoglass for mobile windshield replacement and windshield repair service for no extra fee. Our expert technicians can replace your windshield promptly. Most of My Complete Autoglass vehicles are back on the road in under 4 hours after replacing the windshield.

The Legality of a Cracked Windshield in Colorado

So, you have a cracked windshield. That is okay; it happens more often than you may think. The Thornton, Colorado area is full of construction, which increases the amount of road debris during your daily commute. One of the most meaningful reasons for repairing or replacing your windshield is to comply with the law. Each state has varying regulations and rules regarding chipped or cracked windshields. Before you worry about a ticket while driving, here are the laws on cracked windshields for the State of Colorado.

A driver in the State of Colorado must have a clear, unobstructed view of the road at all times. Objects that could obstruct a driver’s view include dark tint, GPS, devices, or windshield cracks on the driver’s side of the windshield, as it would block the driver’s view.

While this is a direct law, it does leave some room for interpretation to some as it does not explicitly mention cracked windshields. Each officer is to use their best judgment based on the state and federal guidelines to determine if the chips or cracks in the windscreen are obstructing the driver’s view.

It is always best to have any chips or cracks in your windshield addressed by professionals as soon as possible. More minor chips could simply require a windshield repair before they expand. Replacing your windshield is best when the crack or windshield chip has already grown or stretches further than six inches. Next up, we have a quick guide on when to repair the windshield and when it is time to consider replacing the windshield on your vehicle.

When to Repair Your Windshield and When to Replace Your Windshield

Repairing your windshield is often the first choice for any driver when they happen upon a cracked windshield. One might think it was simply a matter of the size of the chip. However, there are quite a few determining factors. First, we will refresh on how windshields are made.

Windshields are made from two panels of auto glass with a polyvinyl plastic layer. The type of auto glass that makes up a windshield is often called safety glass. Auto glass design allows it to shatter into smaller pieces, as opposed to larger, more dangerous pieces of glass when impacted.

Here is an overview of a few guidelines a professional auto glass technician will consider when inspecting your cracked or chipped windshield in Thornton, Colorado.

Size of the Chip or Crack in the Windshield

Chips in your vehicle’s windshield can typically be repaired, especially if they are less than ¾ inch in diameter. However, the location of the windshield chip is among the most significant factors in whether or not you can repair your windshield. Windshield cracks less than 6 inches are generally considered for windshield repair. If your windshield crack has grown, your safety may necessitate replacing your windshield.

Location of the Crack or Chip in the Windshield

If the chip is within a few inches of the edge of the windshield, it is often a safety hazard to repair it over replacing the windshield. Additionally, if the windshield chip or crack obstructs the driver’s view, you will likely be replacing your windshield.

Depth of the Windshield Crack or Chip

Windshield chips that go through the first layer of glass and penetrate the plastic will require replacing the windshield. Should the windshield chip contain minimal depth, a windshield repair is expected. The same rule of thumb applies to windshield cracks, as well. If the plastic layer beneath the outer auto glass of the windshield has been reached, it is safer to move forward with replacing your windshield.

Auto Glass Service in Thornton, Colorado

My Complete Auto Glass has been repairing and replacing windshields in the Denver metro area for over 15 years. Each auto glass technician on our team is highly trained and remains current on the newest techniques and advancements within the auto glass industry. Our vast knowledge of the local climate allows us to consider all factors when consulting on your windshield damage.

Windshields do more for your vehicle than shield you from the wind as your drive. They are an integral part of the structure of your car. If your windshield is installed incorrectly, it can quickly become a safety hazard for you and those who ride in the car. Choosing the right auto glass company in Thornton, Colorado, with local experience, can make a difference. My Complete Auto Glass are certified auto glass specialists.

We believe repairing or replacing windshields should not intrude on your schedule. That is why we offer mobile auto glass repair and replacement windshields in Thornton, Colorado, and the surrounding Denver metro cities at no extra cost! With most auto glass repairs and windshield replacements taking one hour or less, our technicians will come to you, so there is one less thing for you to get to on time. Replacing windshields and other auto glass will require drying time after installation to be safely secured before driving. However, a time window of four hours is typically more than enough for the windshield replacement process to drive time.

As our company has flourished in Thornton, Colorado, and beyond, we retain our passion for resolving auto glass mishaps. The knowledgeable team at My Complete Auto Glass is ready to answer any questions you may have and guide you to find the best solution for your auto glass damage. With our 100% satisfaction guarantee on all of our auto glass services in Thornton, Colorado, you will be happy you trusted us.