The majority of people ignore minor chips in their windshields. It seems to be nothing serious, and you keep telling yourself that one day you will solve it. Time passes, the crack grows, and now, the decision is definitely tougher. Debris from the roads and temperature changes cause windshield damage more frequently in Oakland than most people would expect.
Besides saving yourself time and postage, figuring out when to repair and replace your windshield also helps you avoid a lot of stress. https://envisionautoglass.com/oakland/repair-and-replacement website is capable of handling both, but the decision should be based on a few specific factors.
Size Actually Matters Here
This is usually the first thing a technician checks. General industry guidelines break down like this:
- Tiny Chips are almost always repairable
- Cracks shorter than 6 inches can often be fixed without replacing the whole windshield
- Larger damage typically requires full replacement
That said, size alone does not tell the whole story.
Location of the Damage Changes Everything
Where the crack sits on the windshield matters just as much as how big it is.
Repair is usually possible when damage is:
- Away from the edges of the glass
- Outside the driver’s direct line of sight
- Not near any existing cracks or chips
Replacement becomes necessary when damage is:
- Within the driver’s sightline, since repaired chips can leave a distortion
- Close to the windshield edges, which affects structural integrity
- Spreading or showing multiple fracture points
Edge cracks are particularly tricky. They tend to spread fast and compromise how the windshield holds up during impact.
Depth of the Crack
One glass windshield consists of several layers. Contemporary car glass is laminated; that is, a plastic layer is packed between two layers of glass. If the harm was only to the outer layer, it is probably ok to repair. If the harm was deeper or the inner layer was affected, usually the safer option is to replace. A technician who is trained can do this assessment very quickly.
How Long Has The Damage Been There?
Dirt, water, and other particles penetrate a crack for a long time. Once that is the case, the repair resin doesn’t bond as well, and the result may be cloudy or uneven.
What Does Repair Actually Involve?
There are many benefits to fixing a cracked windshield other than the appeal. Initially, a clear resin will be injected into the damaged area, then it will be cured with UV light, and finally it will be polished to reveal the smooth surface. Glass usually regains its original strength, and the crack can hardly be seen if the repair is performed correctly. In most cases, it takes about 30 minutes. It also takes a longer time, usually an hour or more.
The Honest Answer
Not every crack needs a new windshield. Not every chip can be saved with resin. The best thing to do is get it looked at quickly before the damage decides for you. For Oakland drivers, envisionautoglass.com gives you a clear answer without pushing unnecessary work. When in doubt, act sooner. A small repair today beats a full replacement next month.
