Windshields
If you drive a vehicle on a regular basis, chances are good that sooner or later you'll find yourself dealing with a damaged windshield. In Austin this may be true even if you don't drive often and you have your car parked outside during a hail storm. For obvious reasons, windshields are more prone to damage than any other glass on your car: they're exposed to flying debris on the road, put to the test by changing temperatures and exposure to sun, wind, and hail, and often take a lot of impact when your vehicle is involved in an accident. Windshields can even fail on you because of faulty or improperly installed glass (stay away from unqualified installers/companies with bad reputations). Because they're designed to protect the driver, windshields need to be kept in good condition. Damage to your windshield glass can range in severity, from minor nicks and scratches to large cracks and shattered bullseyes. Damaged windshields can be dangerous - they can impede the vision of the driver and are more prone to shattering under pressure. If your looking to sell or trade in your car a damaged windshield can also lower the value. If it's time for your yearly Texas State Inspection a damaged windshield can cause you to fail, see XXXX.

The question you'll have to ask yourself when your windshield is damaged is whether the problem is small enough that it can be repaired, or large enough that your entire windshield needs to be replaced. Making this decision will depend on the condition of your windshield, as well as your budget. Here are some simple rules to consider if you're wondering whether your windshield requires replacement.

2. ... your windshield has damage that impairs your line of sight.
This is a no-brainer: if you have a chip or a crack in your windshield that is in the driver's line of sight and impairs vision while driving, you should replace the windshield immediately. This isn't a time to fuss around with attempting a windshield repair, not even if the crack or chip seems fairly minimal. If it's impeding your vision while you drive, then it's exceedingly dangerous, and could possibly put you at fault according to the insurance companies should an accident occur. Driving with your windshield in this condition is also an invitation to get a "fix it ticket" from Austin law enforcement or a Texas Ranger, and it can even keep your vehicle from passing state safety inspections (mentioned earlier). Sure, a repair might be possible depending on the severity of the chip or crack, but a repair won't always eliminate the visible damage and can leave a spot that's just as distracting as the original damage.

3. ...your windshield has a large crack, or one that extends to the edge of the glass.
Windshield cracks are, simply enough, damage to the exterior layer of your laminated glass windshield. While they're often caused by blunt impact, just like chips and nicks, cracks can also be the result of a faulty piece of glass or improper windshield installation. Auto glass specialists typically categorize cracks in one of two ways: as cracks or as "long cracks." Long cracks are any that are over 6 inches in length, and those are typically difficult to repair, will take longer, and will cost a lot more than other types of windshield repair. Any crack that extends to the edge of the glass, regardless of how long it is, will require replacement of the windshield. Damage that doesn't start and end within the glass itself is nearly impossible to contain and will almost always grow larger, so attempting to repair it is typically a waste of time and money, and you should plan on simply replacing the windshield to save yourself a lot of hassle later. Windshield cracks are, simply enough, damage to the exterior layer of your laminated glass windshield. While they're often caused by blunt impact, just like chips and nicks, cracks can also be the result of a faulty piece of glass or improper windshield installation. Auto glass specialists typically categorize cracks in one of two ways: as cracks or as "long cracks."