Top 5 Things to Consider When Shopping for Auto Glass

The price of getting windshield replacement will depend on the type of glass being used, the build of your car (2 door, 4 door, accessories your vehicle may have, etc.), the state of your damaged windshield, as well as any extra services provided by the windshield replacement service provider.

For this reason, it’s important that you understand all these factors and choose the windshield replacement service provider that is able to offer the best bang for your buck.

However, before you even start considering all these factors, you’ll need to first ask yourself: “Does my fractured windshield need to be replaced?”

If your windshield is hit by road debris, it may create a tiny crack in your windshield called a ‘rock chip’, if this damage to your windshield can be completely covered up with a quarter then it can be repaired and can save you from replacing the entire windshield. If you spot a rock chip on your windshield, be sure to get it repaired as soon as possible, as these small fractures can spread into wider cracks in the glass, leaving your windshield beyond a repairable state.

With fragile and crucial materials like glass, it’s sometimes best to prioritize quality over price, as doing so could save you the trouble (and money) of having to come for another repair just a few weeks later. These are the two most common types of windshields available on the market.

Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) windshields

When shopping around for glass replacement, replacing your windshield with an OEM glass should be your first option. OEM windshields are produced by the same manufacturer that manufactured your original windshield. This means that the OEM windshield will share the same high-quality standard as your original windshield, while also ensuring that all of your vehicles windshield related accessories are functioning correctly. In the automotive industry, there has been a huge up rise in vehicles with ADAS systems or Advance Driver Assist Systems (which is basically a camera mounted on the windshield that can alert you of danger if the driver gets distracted). So much so that by 2022 in order for a vehicle manufacturer to receive a 5 Star Crash Test rating with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, the vehicle must come standard with an ADAS system. Going with an OEM windshield, along with properly recalibrating your system is the best chance that you have to keep these systems functioning as they should.

Original Equipment Equivalent (OEE) windshields

Unfortunately, OEM windshields can be very expensive and are sometimes not covered by insurance.

Original Equipment Equivalent (OEE) windshields are a cheaper/more economical option when is comes to a windshield replacement. They are made to the same DOT and Federal standards but are manufactured by glass companies that do not have OEM relationships with the carmakers. They create copies of the original windshields without consultation from the original windshield or vehicle manufacturers. Because of copyright laws, the makers of OEE windshields are not allowed to create a replica of the original windshield that was in your car. While the fit and shape will be the same, the new windshield may vary in thickness, durability or tint color and UV protection. In some cases, options attached to the windshield may not function properly. A lot of customers go the OEE route and as long as it is properly installed, they never have any issues, but the correct glass for you will ultimately be determined by your budget and the type of vehicle you have.

The technicians skills of your glass replacement service provider can be difficult to measure if you have no prior knowledge about the matter. Thankfully, there’s plenty of research you can do to test whether your prospective service provider has enough experience to provide you with a safe, high-quality windshield replacement service, while also guaranteeing that no unnecessary mistakes will be made. Here are a few questions you should be asking when looking for the most qualified windshield replacement service provider:



• How long has the provider been operating?
• Is the provider and their Technicians certified by the Auto Glass Safety Council?
• Does this service provider use High Quality Materials?
• What is the warranty that they offer on there parts and work?
• What will be my Minimum Safe Drive Away Time? (The longer it is, the cheaper the adhesive. A top quality adhesive should be 1 hour or less).
• Do they have a dedicated website to outline the details of their services?
• How many makes and models can they offer windshield replacements for?

4. Turnaround Time

The amount of time the service provider takes to replace your windshield speaks to the level of efficiency of their working process. If a service provider takes more than a day to simply replace a broken windshield, it begs the question of how well equipped and skilled their technicians are.

With Transparency Auto Glass, our technicians will be able to meet you at a convenient location, and after removing your old windshield, they will usually only take between 1 and 2 hours to install a new windshield for your vehicle.

Choosing a local business is one of the smartest things you can do when shopping around for auto glass replacement. Not only will you be supporting small businesses in your community, but you will also be putting your vehicle in the hands of experts who are familiar with the most common windshield-related problems in your area. Their familiarity with local windshield-related issues offers you another layer of confidence that you are receiving the highest quality service you can find.

At Transparency Auto Glass, our highly experienced technicians will be able to replace your windshield at a convenient location that fits your daily schedule. Being a local service provider, we are able to streamline our processes and install a new windshield for you in an hour – or less!

For more information, you can contact our team of experts for impartial advice at no cost, or visit our website for a no-obligation, free quote today.