A chipped or cracked windshield needs immediate attention. While there can be various reasons for a car auto glass to sustain damage, what is important is that it is quickly fixed in a correct manner.

A broken windshield may need either a repair or replacement. However, it is for the auto glass technician to decide which is the most ideal solution. For the vehicle owner, it is crucial to understand how a few chips or cracks in the windshield can compromise his or her safety on the road. Most car or SUV owners tend to delay the replacement of their broken windshield because they think it is either too expensive or it is going to take too long to install a new windshield. In this article, we’ll discuss how long it takes to remove a cracked windshield and install a new one in its place as well as the entire process of a vehicle’s windshield replacement.

How Broken Windshields Can Compromise Your Safety

It can be extremely dangerous to continue driving with a chipped or cracked windshield. Whether it is the front or the back windshield or other window glasses of a car, they are not designed to enhance the aesthetics. In fact, each of the car window glasses play a crucial role in keeping the driver as well as the passengers safe while on the road. If the windshield of your vehicle has sustained damage, this means you should avoid driving and take your car immediately to an auto glass shop or call in a mobile glass service for repair or replacement.

Windshields are scientifically designed to support the frame of a vehicle and keep the structural integrity of the vehicle intact. A broken windshield can cause various types of safety concerns, which are as follows:

Ejection from Vehicle:

The gravest danger a broken windshield can cause is in the event of a car crash or collision. If the windshield is loose or broken, it can come out during a collision. As a result of this, the driver of the car will be ejected outside from the pressure of the impact. Not just broken windshields, but poorly installed windshields can also cause ejection from the vehicle.

Airbag Deployment Failure:

The purpose of the airbag deployment technology is to protect the car driver from injuries during a crash or collision. The inflation of the airbag requires full support from the windshield. If the windshield is loose or damaged, it will fail to provide the support for the airbag to deploy in a proper manner. As a result of this, the airbag deployment will fail. Instead of getting inflated inside and protecting the driver, the airbag will deploy outside of the vehicle.

Obstructed View:

The windshield gives a clear view of the road. If it is chipped or cracked, the visibility will be obstructed. This can lead to a number of safety concerns and cause serious danger. Obstructed visibility often leads to road accidents, because you can’t clearly see what lies ahead. Broken windshields are even more dangerous in harsh or windy weather.

Shattering Glass Pieces:

The windshield is designed to be shatter-proof. So, if you are involved in a car crash, the broken glass will hold together. But this will not be the case, if the windshield is broken or cracked. A damaged windshield will shatter due to the high impact of the collision and the glass pieces will blow into the face of the driver and other occupants of the vehicle.

Roof Collapse:

A perfectly working windshield provides strength to the overall frame of the car or SUV. It supports the roof of the vehicle. If the windshield is broken, the actual integrity of the vehicular structure will be lost. Loss of structural strength might lead to roof collapse in the event of a rollover.

The dangers of driving with a broken windshield are immense. Therefore, you should always pay serious attention to the quality and condition of your windshield. The moment you spot a chip or crack in it, you should seek the help of a professional to get it repaired or replaced. You never know what kind of consequences a damaged auto glass can bring. At the same time, you should make sure the new windshield installation is performed in an arrow-free manner.

How Long Does Windshield Replacement Take?

Usually, a lot of people think that getting a damaged windshield replaced will take too long. But that is not the truth. The time taken to replace a windshield is shorter than you may have thought.

If you hire the services of a professional auto glass company, the process of windshield replacement will be completed within 60 minutes. Getting the job done by an amateur or an inexperienced person will definitely prolong the duration. Plus, the installation will not be carried out correctly. If you are in search of a highly reputed auto glass repair and replacement company in the greater Austin area, you should head straight to Sir Auto Glass. The company operates its auto glass services in Portland, Hillsboro, Oregon City and Beaverton among others.

After the windshield of your car, SUV, truck or minivan has been replaced, you will need to wait for a little more time. Though the installation will be done in 30-60 minutes, the adhesive will need some time to cure. So, you should expect to stay off the road for another 60 minutes or so.

The time taken to replace a windshield can also extend depending on whether your car has passenger side airbags.

In any case, you should always seek the help of a certified and qualified technician such as those from Sir Auto Glass. Before the installation procedure begins, the auto glass technician will briefly walk you through the procedure and tell you exactly how much time the replacement will take. Plus, the technician will inform you of the quality of the auto glass and the adhesive being used. The ultimate goal is to restore the structural strength of your car in a proper manner.

Factors that Can Extend Windshield Replacement Time

The compatibility of the windshield with your car is of utmost importance. The auto glass technician needs to install the correct size and type of windshield, depending on the make and model of your vehicle.

If you have taken your car to an auto glass repair shop and the type of windshield you actually need is not in stock, you may have to wait. This happens mostly when your car belongs to an older model. Apart from this, the windshield frame has to be in perfect shape for the installation to start. If the crash or collision caused damage to the frame, it will need to be fixed first. Sometimes, it takes a little longer than usual because the glue takes more time to dry. All of this can extend the duration of the replacement process than what it normally takes.

To expedite the replacement, you should schedule an appointment in advance with a reputed company such as Sir Auto Glass.

What Windshield Replacement Involves

Though replacing a windshield takes 30-60 minutes, it is a job which requires expertise and a great eye for detail.

Before the installation can begin, the technician first covers the dashboard and the interior parts of the car to avoid any kind of damage. Once it is done, some parts close to the windscreen need to be detached. Then, the technician removes the broken windshield in a skillful manner.

Now, the technician prepares the window socket for the installation of the compatible new windshield. The type of the windshield you need depends on the make and model of your vehicle. Next, the technician starts the application of the adhesive to both the new windshield and the socket. Using a primer gun, the technician applies the adhesive in a uniform and even manner. Finally, it is time for the placement of the windshield into the window frame. This again requires expert skills, so that the quality of the installation is the highest. After getting rid of the excess adhesive, the technician leaves the auto glass to dry properly. Once the adhesive is fully cured and dried, your car or SUV will be ready to hit the road again.

Beware of a Windshield Hack Job!

Many vehicle owners get into the trap of persons who do not have sufficient knowledge of windshield replacement.

Like it has been said before, the replacement of a windshield is a job which requires expert knowledge and skills. If you are desperate to get the job done in the quickest possible time, you might fall prey to hack jobs. A windshield hack job is an installation which was done in a hurried manner, without paying serious attention to the quality of the windshield installation.

Hopefully, you have by now understood the technicalities that the entire process of windshield replacement involves. If you plan to get the replacement done right, you should only hire certified auto glass technicians.

Is Your Windshield Repairable?

Most windshield chips and cracks are repairable. A reputed auto glass service provider will conduct an assessment before ruling out the option of repair. A replacement will be ideal when the damage is irreparable.

Whether or not your broken windshield can be repaired will be decided on the basis of a number of factors. The technician will inspect the location, type, and size of the chips and cracks. Usually, chips about one inch in diameter or cracks less than three inches in length can be repaired. If the damage is severe than that or it lies along the eye level of the driver, a replacement will be ideal.

At Sir Auto Glass, we strictly adhere to a repair-first policy. Our experts will take the replacement route only when a repair will not be sufficient. The decision will be taken taking your safety on the road into account.

Talk to a Certified Auto Glass Technician

If the windshield of your car or SUV has sustained chips or cracks, the first thing you should do is consult with an expert. Feel free to reach out to one of certified and highly trained technicians at Sir Auto Glass to discuss what type of damage you have. After an assessment of the damage, our technician will give you all the details in regard to the replacement of your broken car windshield. You will get to know in advance as to what type of auto glass is compatible and how much time it will actually take to remove the broken auto glass and install a new one. It is advisable to schedule the replacement of your cracked windshield with us in advance.

To schedule your windshield replacement, you can get in touch with us via a quick phone call. Or, you can write us an email using the contact form on our website and our specialists will call you back.