Windshield Repair vs. Replacement: What’s the Right Choice?

Windshield Repair vs. Replacement: What’s the Right Choice?

When faced with windshield damage, deciding between repair or replacement can be challenging. The choice depends on the size, location, and severity of the damage.

Windshield repair is often a cost-effective solution for small chips or cracks, restoring the glass without the need for full replacement. However, if the damage is extensive or obstructs the driver’s line of sight, replacement may be necessary to ensure safety and visibility.

This guide will provide a detailed comparison of windshield replacement OEM vs aftermarket options and explain the elements to consider when making the right decision.

When to Choose Windshield Repair

In case the damage is not major, it is a good idea to go for windshield repair rather than a replacement. Keeping the windshield in the correct condition prevents having to change the whole glass and may preserve the initial one.

Here are the reasons why and when repair is most suitable:

• Small Chips or Minor Cracks: Small cracks, those less than three inches wide and chips the size of a quarter, can usually be repaired. Another reason that repairs could be made is to fix a shallow windshield, and to do so is because deep cracks can make the windshield weak and brittle.
• Position of the Damage: Cracks that are at the periphery of the windshield or are not in the sight line of the motorist are capable of being repaired. Besides, the defects observed along the edges of the windshield are more likely to progress. Thus, the probability of structural damage in the windshield is higher, which is why the opportunities for repair are considered to be limited.

Advantages of Auto Glass Repair

Here are some advantages of availing yourself of windshield repair services:

• Cost-Effective: Such damages are relatively cheaper compared to new ones since they retain the quality, fit, and OEM-manufactured windshield.
• Time-saving: Windshield repair is a simple technique that takes a very short time, not more than one hour. As people have tightly packed agendas, this has the least impact on time and does not require the person to leave their car.
• Environmentally Friendly: Repairing rather than disposing of products is the more environmentally friendly choice, as it prevents sending all those usable products to the dumps.
• Insurance Benefits: Most insurers allow their customer to repair the windshield since it doesn’t have an impact on the prices because it is relatively cheaper than the cost of replacement. This repair is not only an easy option but, most of the time, a financially wise one in the long run.

When conditions are invoked, choosing repair shows that you are saving time and some money while being environmentally sensitive. It is very strategic since it retains your original OEM windshield while avoiding the unnecessary extra costs of getting an aftermarket windshield.

When Windshield Replacement is Necessary

At other times, the windshield requires replacement for safety and reliability. Here is why replacement is the best option:

• Large Cracks or Multiple Chips: If the damage is so extensive that it can barely be termed multiple chips, then a windshield replacement is inevitable.
• Damage in the Driver’s Line of Sight: If the crack is in direct view of the driver, it is dangerous, but replacement is safe.
• Structural Concerns: A cracked windshield significantly reduces the car’s strength and integrity in case of an accident.

OEM vs. Aftermarket Glass: Which Should You Choose?

When it comes to a replacement, the choices between windshield replacement OEM vs aftermarket are crucial. Here’s a breakdown:

• OEM Glass: OEM glass is as good as the original windshield in quality, thickness, and design. It is usually chosen for vehicles with ADAS as it is always compatible with it.
• Aftermarket Glass: These recycled components are cheaper than OEM ones but could slightly deviate from OEM specifications, which may reduce their longevity or compatibility.

This is important because deciding whether to use OEM or aftermarket glass means you’ll have to settle for a different level of quality and price for your windshield replacement.

Why Choose NuVision Auto Glass?

Proper service provider choice is as important as the repair or replacement of the same part. NuVision Auto Glass has the energy that comes with years of experience and is one of the fastest-growing auto glass specialists across the United States.

It provides repair and replacement of auto glass and calibration of advanced driver assistance systems.

• Wide Range of Services: NuVision specifically focuses on the repair of windshields, including fixed and laminated glass, the repair/calibration of side windows/modules, and the calibration of ADAS.
• Quality Assurance: All repair or replacement work is done using high-quality glass to provide safer services.

Conclusion

Ultimately, the decision to have your windshield repaired or replaced depends on the severity of your damage and whether you need it for the long run.

For minor chips or cracks, repair is often a viable and cost-effective option, restoring the windshield’s strength without the need for a full replacement. If the damage is large, deep, or in a critical area, replacement is the safer choice to ensure the vehicle’s structural integrity and the driver’s visibility.

NuVision Auto Glass will be there to help you, providing expert advice and quality service so that you can make the best decision for your vehicle. Contact our team today!