Changing Your Windshield? Here Is All You Need to Know

When we think of car damage we normally have the image of a greasy mechanic sliding out from under a vehicle, mumbling something about parts we’ve never heard of, and charging us our entire life savings for it. But if the windshield is damaged, we can usually see the damage ourselves, and the mechanical part seems pretty simple, right? WRONG. Your windshield is incredibly important and you want none other than a trained professional to handle it, even if it means you have to pay a little extra.

When installed incorrectly, a windshield poses an actual threat to the safety of those sitting in the car. It can pop out or cave from the slightest bump or pressure. So how do you know when it’s the right time to change it and who to trust? Read on and you’ll know.

The right glass/installer combo

We can never stress enough how important it is to use a manufacturer’s original glass. As long as it’s available, insist that the installer uses it. Oh, and make sure your installer is a certified professional. There are online databases to research for a certified installer in your vicinity. There are too many self-proclaimed mechanics who will tempt you with a quick and cheap deal, but their work is usually not safe as they use lower grade materials or wrong adhesives. Better safe and expensive than inexpensive and cheap.

There is a way to lower the price

Don’t get your windshield replaced at a dealership. Dealerships usually use subcontractors to do the job and end up taking a commission, which means you end up paying about 25% more than the price of the work. Instead, cut the middleman and find a certified installer yourself. However, if your car is new, there is a chance a dealership will be the only place that has the right glass for you and you won’t have much of a choice.

Make sure the job was done well

It shouldn’t take more than an hour to install a new windshield. But you might want to take a few more minutes to look at the work yourself. Take a look at the molding around the window to ensure it’s straight and that there is no visible adhesive inside the car. Don’t accept sloppy work when your own safety is on the line.