Facts about Car Glass That Are Valuable To Know
A car comprises many glass exteriors. The windscreen, side windows, and rear window are common examples of auto-glass, and modern cars have additional glass features like sunroofs. But auto-glass is susceptible to random damage, and hence, there arises the need for repair, such as door glass repair.
Glass is made of sodium carbonate, limestone, and sand; all glass is usually designed to be non-toxic, sustainable, and 100% recyclable. Such features of glass have become critical as they aid in the conservation of the environment and ensure that one does not leave behind a carbon footprint.
The main reasons why glass is so popular for auto door applications are its strength, flexibility, durability, and versatility. For creating the desired impact, modern auto glass is processed and treated through various methods.
Therefore, glass has numerous applications. It can serve various objectives based on the needs of consumers. One such application is auto glass.
Knowledge of various kinds of car glass and their individual importance and features is vital as auto-glass is responsible for the safety and structural integrity of the car.
Features of car glass
Auto-glass is much different from regular glass since they are designed explicitly for absorbing heavy impact during accidents and preventing injury to passengers. Though ordinary glass shatters into sharp shards upon impact, car glass does not do so.
Because glass is a flexible material that can be processed and treated to gain any shape, it has become the must-have choice for creating unique designs and creative shapes for trendy car window profiles.
Additionally, auto-glass is used for sunroofs; they are so designed as to be resistant to UV light to help passengers enjoy natural light without harmful UV radiation.
Auto-glass is remarkably durable and responsible for 60% of the structural integrity of the car, particularly during collisions. If a windscreen is absent, the car will flatten out, thus making it vulnerable to lethal damage during even the most minor accidents.
Additionally, auto glass is designed to be impacted, dirt, and dust resistant for the prevention of pesky particles from adhering to glass and interfering with the line of vision of the driver.
Need for high-quality glass
It is crucial to note that only glass with perfect OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) quality possesses these unique features. Auto-glass, particularly windscreen glass, undergoes wear and tear regularly. For example, practices like parking below trees, encountering hailstorms, parking in extreme heat, driving on gravel roads, etc., result in the manifestation of chips and cracks on the auto glass.
In such scenarios, when one opts to buy a cheap car door and windscreen replacements, auto-glass of poor quality and budget models tend to shatter and break. Hence, professional auto-glass technicians use authentic OEM car glass, the best adhesives, and proper installation methods for guaranteeing top-notch service as well as reliable safety for one’s loved ones.
Types of auto-glass
There are two leading products in the market for auto-glass:
Laminated glass
This glass is a fool proof design that is as old as a century. It comprises two strong sheets of glass which are converted into a single thick sheet. These sandwich a layer of polyvinyl butyral (PVB) in the middle. Such layers are bonded together through the use of high temperatures for offering them an incredibly durable and sturdy auto-glass that does not shatter during an accident. Though the PVB layer is breakable, it protects the passengers as shards of glass stick to the adhesive rather fly around, harming them. Being shatter proof, laminated glass is used for both rear and front windscreens.
Tempered glass
Reputed to be ten times stronger than regular glass, this glass is used for fitting the car’s side windows. Tempered glass is created by heating float glass to extremely hot temperatures, followed by fast cooling. But compared to laminated glass, this glass is more prone to shattering.
But tempered glass is equally safe as laminated glass as it shatters to dull-edged cubes and pieces in place of shards to protect passengers from harm.
In sum, these are the top facts about auto-glass and the need for door glass repair.