How can I tell if my car needs a windshield repair or a windshield replacement?

   It is very easy to tell the difference between a windshield that requires replacement vs one that can be repaired to save it. If the total area of the chip/crack on the windshield is equal to or smaller than the size of a Quarter (coin), then a windshield repair can be performed to prevent spreading. Our auto glass experts at AFG Auto Glass recommend that you act fast because even a small chip or crack can spread overnight and destroy it to the point where a complete windshield replacement would be necessary-which is way more expensive! A windshield repair typically costs under $100, and a windshield replacement can cost $200+ depending on the year, make, model, trim, and features/sensors of the vehicle. (all quotes are based on our own prices at AFG Auto Glass – Washington DC & Northern Virginia, all prices may vary)

   A small chip or crack on a windshield can spread across the whole glass overnight. This is especially the case in the colder months of winter from November-February when temperatures drop very low at night. Even a tiny hair sized crack can spread in hours!  Glass is a poor thermal conductor, and sudden changes in temperature can create additional fractures along the existing crack. Virginia and Washington DC are infamous for experiencing drastic fluctuations in temperatures and severe weather events like ice, snow, hail, sleet, heavy rain, strong winds. With this in mind, it is very important to have the crack or chip on your vehicle’s windshield repaired as soon as possible, before you have to pay 3-5 times more for a windshield replacement.

   Having a broken windshield can also be extremely dangerous while driving on the road, and depending on where you live law enforcement officers can pull you over for a warning or even issue you a ticket (especially if the chip or crack is in the drivers field of vision). Small cracks can spread quicker than you think, and it can lead to impaired visibility while driving, leaks, or even a collapse of the windshield. More importantly, it leaves your car vulnerable and easily accessible by strangers (especially if you live in a busy city with higher rates of crime, like Washington DC – click here to learn more)

One would think that our Country’s capital would be the safest, right? But the truth is that Washington DC ranks very highly in many categories of crime, especially in auto break ins and carjackings. Click on this link to learn more: https://afgautoglass.com/2020-2022-washington-dc-auto-break-in-car-theft-statistics/