The short answer is, typically, no. But there are some caveats. If your windshield has some scratches and perhaps a small chip, a simple and quick repair might be all you need. Our Glass America-certified technicians can fill chips to improve visibility and prevent those chips from turning into serious cracks over time. Fixing a small chip now can save you the hassle and cost of replacing the entire windshield later.
On the other hand, if there is a large crack in your windshield, it needs to be replaced as soon as possible. A cracked windshield not only affects visibility, it also compromises the integrity of the glass, which is intended to protect you in case of an accident. Consider these factors when trying to determine whether you need a windshield repair or replacement:
A windshield repair will suffice if a chip is less than 2 centimeters in diameter, and remains on the surface of the glass. This serves more of a cosmetic issue and is also preventive because it keeps a small chip from growing into a larger chip or crack.
A windshield replacement is necessary when the chip is 4 centimeters or greater and there are multiple points of impact, oxidation has occurred, or visibility is hindered.
Glass America performs windshield repair services on every type of vehicle (car, truck, bus, van, year, make, model, etc). When we can't repair the windshield, we offer replacement with OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) quality glass, free mobile service, and a national lifetime warranty on workmanship. Glass America has been America's trusted choice for Windshield repair since 1999.