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If you are like most people, you probably don’t give much thought to your car’s windows until there’s a problem you can’t look past. Unlike other glass and windows, however, your car’s windows and windshield are built for both safety and aesthetics and are the main components responsible for other safety features in your vehicle. When you’re looking at having your auto glass repaired or replaced, it’s a good idea to understand the features and benefits of your glass to ensure you’re getting the best deal. In today’s post, the auto glass experts at Jet Black Tint and Glass offer information on everything you need to know about your car’s windows.
First and foremost (pun intended), let’s get to know your windshield. With its position at the front of the vehicle, the windshield is manufactured with laminated glass and the side and rear windows are made with tempered glass. Many modern vehicles have fully integrated windshields with safety features, rain sensors, cameras, and other components that signal other vehicle systems in the event of an accident or inclement weather. For instance, sensors in your windshield can deploy airbags and trigger a movement warning that prevents you from hitting another car or object.
Rear and side window glass, referred to as the sidelites and backlite, are no less durable, but they offer different features. Let’s take a look at some of the ways your vehicle windows differ from other common glass and windows.
The windows in your house are generally made of sheets of ordinary glass. To reinforce and provide durability, they may feature double or triple panes, layering the same glass. This ordinary glass will still shatter and break into large shards if something heavy hits them with enough force — like a stray baseball or an intentional fist. Because cars quite literally hurl themselves at debris and stray objects at high speeds, it requires enhanced durability. To mitigate issues, there are two types of safety glass used for vehicle windows — laminated glass and tempered glass.
Windshields are made of laminated glass, which is several layers of thin glass bonded together by an invisible film between the glass layers. The film is fused with the glass under incredibly high heat and pressure to become one single sheet of glass. The multi-layer feature along with the film prevents the glass from shattering when broken. Instead, when something hits the windshield, you get a pit in the glass that penetrates one or two layers without completely breaking through. This results in the famous “spider web” cracking pattern that is so common on vehicle windshields. Windshields are made with laminated glass for two-fold safety. First, the layers prevent impacts by small rocks, birds, or other debris from penetrating your windshield and injuring you or your passengers. And, it prevents you from being ejected from the vehicle in the event of an accident. Laminated glass resists complete breakage and promotes optimal visibility in the event of a crack.
The windshield is also an important part of the car’s overall structure, without which, the front end would not be structurally sound. In a front-end collision or vehicle rollover, the windshield supports at least 45% of the vehicle’s structural integrity. Because a pit or crack compromises the overall integrity of the windshield, if there is one present, the laminated glass may not hold up as well and cannot effectively prevent structural collapse.
The layered features of laminated glass are what offer the potential for repair versus replacement. If a single layer is damaged, by, say, a pebble kicked up by the 18-wheeler in front of you on the freeway, it can be filled and retain its strength. If the pit has generated a crack that extends beyond six inches in length or the full thickness of the glass, it is more likely that you’ll require a full replacement.
The sidelites and backlite are made of tempered glass. Tempered glass is up to four times stronger than ordinary glass, and toughened in a process of controlled thermal and chemical treatments. When tempered glass breaks, it crumbles into small, dull pieces rather than shattering into large pieces. In most cases, the crumbled glass simply falls rather than propels.
Sidelites and backlite are made of tempered glass for everyday durability. Where this glass is lighter and less expensive, it can easily be installed and used for windows in motion. Tempered glass is a great option because it is much stronger than ordinary glass without the weight or price tag of laminated glass.
For starters, it’s much more expensive and heavy, making it not very practical for everyday use, limited to areas of high impact. These combined features ensure you’re much safer in a car accident and can safely escape. The laminated windshield supports the structure of the car and prevents expulsion, but is incredibly difficult to break when egress is necessary. Tempered glass on the sides and back will crumble, allowing you to safely escape when needed without shattering and causing significant secondary damage.
All auto glass is not created equal. Now that you have a better understanding of the function and features of vehicle glass, you are empowered to make smarter choices when it’s time for you to have your vehicle glass repaired or replaced.
At Jet Black Tint and Glass, we carry Pilkington auto glass, the industry leader in laminated windshields and tempered side and backlites. Our glass experts can safely and efficiently repair or replace your windows in about an hour. And, when you have your car’s windows repaired at one of our 14 Bay Area locations, we tint your replaced glass at no additional cost to you. For all of your auto glass needs, visit the window experts at Jet Black Tint and Glass today.