Do you have a big crack running right down the middle of your windshield? If so, you’re going to want to work your way through the process of replacing a windshield ASAP.
If you ride around with a cracked windshield for too long, you could potentially put yourself and others in harm’s way. Your windshield is going to completely shatter in the event that you’re ever involved in an accident.
Before you tackle windshield replacement, though, you should learn everything that you can about it. From what constitutes a damaged windshield to what your windshield costs will be when you replace a windshield, you should find out as much as you can.
Here is what you’ll need to know about replacing a windshield.
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How to Know When You Need to Replace a Windshield
Repairing a windshield is almost always going to be a heck of a lot cheaper than replacing a windshield. You might be able to get away with paying as little as $50 to repair a windshield when you have a chip in it, which is way less than what you’ll pay for a brand-new windshield (more on that later!).
That being said, you should consider trying to have your windshield repaired rather than replaced, if possible. If you only have a small chip in your windshield, you might not need to replace the whole thing to fix the problem.
You will, however, have to go the windshield replacement route if you have an unusually large crack in your windshield. Most experts will tell you that you should replace your windshield if the crack in it is any longer than about three inches.
Where to Take Your Car When You Need a New Windshield
If you need to either repair or replace a windshield, you’re not going to want to take it down to your local auto repair shop. They don’t always specialize in windshield repair and replacement.
Instead, you’re going to want to call on a company that does nothing but repair and replace windshields all day long. There are more than 15,000 of these companies scattered throughout the country.
Some of these companies have physical locations so that you can bring your car to them for windshield repair or replacement. But others are mobile operations that will come to your home or work to repair or replace a windshield.
You should see which options exist in your general area and choose the one that looks the best to you. It’ll allow you to fix your windshield fast without having to put too much effort in on your part.
How Much Replacing a Windshield Will Cost
As we mentioned earlier, you might be able to pay less than $100 to repair your windshield if it has a chip or crack in it that’s on the smaller side. But if that isn’t an option, you’ll need to bite the bullet and pay to have your windshield replaced.
And how much is replacing a windshield going to cost you? Well, it’s really all going to depend on a bunch of different factors.
The cost to replace a windshield will be based on:
- What kind of windshield you need for your car
- Which windshield replacement company you hire to help you
- How soon you need your windshield replaced
The best way to figure out how much windshield replacement is going to run you is by calling around to a few different windshield specialists. They should be able to set you up with a quote after asking you a few basic questions about your windshield and your car as a whole.
You might also want to touch base with your car insurance company to see if replacing a windshield is covered under your current insurance policy. They might cover all or at least part of your windshield replacement for you.
How Long It Takes to Replace a Windshield
Replacing a windshield might seem like it would be a monumental task that would take at least a few hours to complete. But more often than not, this is not the case!
As long as you bring the right windshield repair and replacement company on board to assist you, you should be able to get a new windshield installed in your car in right around an hour. That will include removing your old windshield, putting your new windshield into place, and sealing it up properly so that it stays put.
What You Need to Do to Care for a New Windshield
Once you’re finished replacing a windshield with the help of your windshield repair and replacement company, you might be tempted to jump right back behind the wheel of your car and start driving around in it again. But wait! You’re going to have to do some aftercare to it to ensure your new windshield stays strong for years to come.
First and foremost, you’ll need to give the seal on your new windshield time to dry. This might take as little as an hour or as long as a few hours. Your windshield specialist should be able to tell you more about it.
You’ll also need to keep things away from both the inside and outside of your windshield. The last thing that you want is for something to land on your windshield or push up against it while it’s drying.
And last but definitely not least, you’ll need to resist the urge to wash your car yourself or, worse, take it to a car wash for at least a few days, if not weeks. That could cause complications with your new windshield if you’re not careful.
Get Your Hands on a New Windshield for Your Car Today
Replacing a windshield might sound like it’s going to be a difficult job. But it’s actually a lot easier to replace a windshield than you might think.
Now that you know how to replace a windshield from start to finish, go get your hands on a new windshield today. It’ll make your car safe again and improve the look and feel of it in an instant.
Read the other informative articles found on our blog for more great advice on repairing and replacing windshields.
