Should You Repair or Replace Your Windshield?

The windshield on your vehicle is the one thing that keeps winds, rain, and debris from the interior. Windshields protect you and your passengers from all kinds of things. Yet, windshields can be damaged due to rocks, falling branches, and other objects that are propelled into your driving path. 

When you discover that your windshield has a crack, chip, or worse, you might wonder whether it needs a full replacement, or if a simple repair would do the job. In this blog, we’ll go over the pros and cons of each choice, and how to know whether windshield repair or replacement is right for you. 

Windshield Repair

If the damage to your windshield is a minor crack or chip, repair might be possible, as opposed to a full replacement. But there are some things you need to consider. 

Pros of Windshield Repair

• Windshield Repair is Less Expensive: It shouldn’t come as a surprise that repairing a crack or chip in your windshield will cost you less than a full windshield replacement. 
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• Windshield Repair is a Quicker Process: Replacing an entire windshield takes much more time than a simple repair. In most cases, a windshield repair can be finished in less than an hour. 
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• Windshield Repair is More Convenient: In many cases, you can typically drive your car right after you have the windshield repaired. 
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• Windshield Repair is Environmentally Friendly: When a windshield is repaired as opposed to replaced there is less waste, which is always better for the environment. 

Cons of Windshield Repair

• Windshield Repair Has to Fall Under Certain Guideline: The fact is, that Windshield repair will only work for small chips and cracks. If the damage to your windshield is severe or too large, you may need a full windshield replacement. 
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• Windshield Repair May Affect Visibility: While repairing a windshield will restore the structural integrity, the work might still be noticeable and it could reduce visibility. 
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• Windshield Repair Makes Your Glass More Susceptible to Future Damage: While repair is a good fix, it’s just a fact that the damage to your windshield makes your glass more sensitive to possible future damage. 

Windshield Replacement

If the damage on your windshield is severe or if the damage obstructs the driver’s view, then odds are you’re going to need a full windshield replacement. 

Pros of Windshield Replacement

• Windshield Replacement is Safe: A new windshield will be more structurally sound than a repair. The new glass will protect you and your passengers without fear of the repaired damage spreading. 

• Windshield Replacement Offers Better Visibility: As we mentioned, a repair may lessen the driver’s visibility, while a new windshield will be free of cracks that have been filled with resin.

• Windshield Replacement Has a Longer Lifespan: A new windshield will typically last longer than a repaired one. Repaired windshields still have the risk of the damage spreading. 

Cons of Windshield Replacement

• Windshield Replacement is More Expensive: There is no denying that replacing a full windshield is going to cost you more than a repair. 

• Windshield Replacement Requires ADAS Calibration: If your vehicle has any Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) much of the technology is embedded in and near the windshield. So you will need to have the windshield calibrated so your safety systems work properly. 

• Windshield Replacement Has a Larger Environmental Impact: Windshield replacement has more waste than a simple repair, and the environment is impacted. But, if your damage is severe, you won’t have much choice because repair won’t be possible. 

Does Your Windshield Have Damage in or Near Murfreesboro or the Surrounding Areas of TN?

If you live, work, or pass through Lebanon, Franklin, Shelbyville, Brentwood, or surrounding areas of Tennessee, contact us at Glass Monkey. We are a family-owned independent mobile windshield repair and replacement service that comes to you. We offer a workmanship guarantee and can help you with your insurance claim.