Natomas Auto Body & Paint

Don't Let Your Broken Windshield Crack Your Nerves

Wham! Crack! A rock just hit your windshield, leaving a rather onerous-looking chip right in front of your face, obstructing your view and endangering your safety while driving. If you have ever had this happen to you before, you know that pretty soon this little crack is going to spread like wildfire pronto. At  Natomas Auto Body & Paint , we encounter broken windshields all the time with cars we fix for our customers here in  Sacramento  ,  CA  and surrounding areas. In many instances, people will ask us--can you fix the windshield or does it need to be replaced altogether?  

A decade ago, if you had a chip or a crack in your windshield your only option was replacement, but now there are other methods to consider based on each specific case. New technology makes it possible to repair windshields that would have previously been pulled and sent to the trash bin. But, now car owners can save money by repairing instead of replacing their windshields.

The Big Question: Fix or Replace?

Windshield repair or replacement depends on the severity, size and location of the damage. Most windshield repair shops can normally repair 3-4 inch rock chips and cracks, but anything larger and likely require replacing it. Some shops now have a more high-tech way of fixing windshields, which means they can repair cracks up to 12 inches in length, so ask around.

Location of the damage on your windshield can also determine its fate. For example, cracks located at the edge of your windshield are apt to spread rapidly and can threaten the structural integrity of the glass.

Consider the Costs

The cost to repair a windshield should not vary too much anywhere in the country. Repairing a single rock chip will usually run you somewhere between $40-$50 for the initial chip, then usually $10 extra for each subsequent one.  

If the crack is longer than three inches, it might need some special treatment and some companies can charge $70-$100 to repair a six- to twelve-inch crack in your windshield.

If you do finally have to replace your windshield, replacement costs will vary greatly, depending on the vehicle. In addition to the cost of the windshield itself, a windshield molding kit and the labor to install it must be figured into the overall replacement cost.

To repair or replace? When it comes to damaged windshields that indeed is the $64,000 question. So, hopefully this blog has helped you for when you encounter this scenario now or in the future.

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Sources: Ask.com, DIY.com and Forbes