The evolution of windscreens has come a long way, from what was once offered as an extra in the 1900s, and has now become an essential part of the automotive industry. The first vehicles to hit the roads were not particularly fast, but that didn’t mean that drivers couldn’t get hurt by flying stones, insects, and other airborne threats, no matter how small. This led to the introduction of the first windscreen in 1904. As cars became more commonplace, more injuries occurred. It became typical for drivers to be injured by pieces of flying glass after an accident, or by going head first through the glass, this was pre-safety belts and was referred to as ‘the glass necklace’. By late 1919 the Ford company started using laminated glass, which over the next 10 years became a feature in all Fords. In 1937 the use of safety glass was made compulsory for all vehicles. A significant breakthrough was made in 1938 when tempered glass was produced which was significantly more shatter resistant than regular glass. Nowadays they are quite different, often bigger and more raked. Manufacturers also cover the windscreen with a dye film to reduce infrared rays and prevent too much heat from entering the vehicle.
The most crucial purpose of the windshield of a car is to provide safety. Besides shielding you from environmental elements like wind, debris, and storms. In situations like rollover accidents, the windscreen protects the car from getting crushed and also keeps you from getting ejected out of the car. Having a chip or a crack in the windscreen is not only extremely uncomfortable for the driver, but also a safety hazard. To make matters worse, the longer you leave these untreated the more chance of the damage spreading to other parts of your windscreen. Going over the slightest of speed humps at your local supermarket or even reversing out of your driveway, can cause the cracks to spread beyond the point of repair. Prolonging the repair process not only puts the driver and passengers at risk but also other motorists on the road.
There can be several causes that can cause a windscreen to crack, which include, structural defects, imperfections in the glass, gritty or bumpy roads, sunrays, hail storms, extreme temperatures, and more.
Knowing about the types of cracks lets you gauge the extent of damage you are dealing with and will enable you to make an informed decision regarding windscreen replacement or repairs and act swiftly as some of these are more severe than others. To mention a few there can be floater cracks, chip cracks, edge cracks, combination cracks, and many other types.
Car owners often go for easy repair in these situations, but more often than not, going for a windscreen replacement instead of repairing it is a far better option. Repairing cracks could seem to be an easier and cheaper option, but more often than not, it ultimately does not turn out to be as cost-effective as you may have expected. Getting your windshield repaired could be less costly than getting a full replacement initially, but in the long run, it could cost your windshield its structural strength, making it weaker and more prone to damage. You might need to replace it soon anyway. So, getting this replacement would certainly be a more practical choice in the long run!
The quickest way would be to find a windscreen repair service near you which also offers on sight mobile services. It will save you a lot of time and also offer a minimum one year warranty which is highly advisable.