Expert Windshield Replacement of Naperville, Illinois

Safe and Reliable Windshield Repair

It happens when you least expect it. Your windshield is cracked and you need to get it repaired or replaced as quickly as possible. According to the Auto Glass Safety Council, a not- for-profit created to promote safe auto glass replacement, this is not the time to consider you bottom line. In incorrectly installed windshield can require costly repairs later on or worse, can cause major injury and death.

What most consumers don't realize is that the front windshield plays an integral part in preserving your safety during and accident. An intact and properly installed windshield provides between 45-60% of the structural integrity of the cabin during an accident. Pits or bubbling in the sealant or the wrong adhesive not only lead to leaks, they can make horrible accidents much, much worse.

We have all seen cars that have been in accidents where the windshield has popped out of the car. According to the experts, that is not supposed to happen. Windshields are designed to act as supports for the roof in case of a rollover accident. They are constructed of two panes of glass held together by vinyl. If the materials are substandard those panes of glass can shatter and splinter on impact. Improper installation, or the use of substandard parts, can turn the front windshield of your vehicle into a death trap.

When airbags are deployed they exert an enormous amount of force, and an improperly installed or substandard windshield can shatter or simply pop off in the event of an impact. This is often what happens when people are thrown from speeding cars. According to Steve Mazor of the Auto Club of Southern California, in such cases "the odds of survival much less".

The AGSC is accredited by the American National Standards Institute and has formulated the nation's first set of Auto Glass Safety Standards. They have licensed hundreds of thousands of auto glass technicians and shops all across the country in an effort to make sure that your vehicle remains safe to drive. Some industry insiders say that as many as 70% of all windshield repairs and replacements are done incorrectly, compromising the structural integrity of the vehicle in a collision.

"How would you like for over half the force of a collision to be absorbed by YOU because your windshield flew out in an accident?" Says David Rohlfing, Member of the Board of Directors of the Auto Glass Replacement Safety Standards Council.

This happens more often than most people expect. With the number of "independent" auto glass repair companies on the rise, finding an AGSC certified installer is more important than ever. It's easy to find a certified technician near you by using the search tool found on safewindsheilds.org.

Making sure that your technician wears gloves and uses original parts is only part of the equation. When choosing a shop, ask questions of the technician that only somebody knowledgeable would know. For example, how long before you can drive the vehicle. Most repairs require between one and twelve hours to set. Any technician who tells you that you can drive away as soon as he is finished working is swindling you and putting your life at risk. Also, it is preferable for you to use a company that has a brick and mortar location, even if the work is done by a mobile technician.

Many consumers simply take their vehicle to the dealership for any necessary work. While this may seem like the easiest way to ensure that the work, it is not the most cost efficient. Most dealerships will simply subcontract the repair to an auto glass shop and then charge you 30% more for the repair. Smart consumers are better off going to the auto glass shop themselves.