Windshield Repair in Wake Forest

There’s more to car safety than properly functioning airbags and fastening your seatbelt. If a windshield is damaged, it’s important to get it repaired as soon as possible before the damage grows and your vehicle becomes dangerous to put on the road. Windshield repair is a crucial step in eliminating potential dangers and long-term issues in your car or truck. 

How do you know if a tiny chip in your windshield will benefit from a repair? Repairing your windshield as soon as possible can help prevent the need for a windshield replacement. Our mobile team of auto glass specialists at Glass Solutions will come to you to repair your windshield. We serve Wake Forest, Raleigh, Durham, Garner, Cary, Apex, and all the surrounding areas.

Choosing Windshield Repair or Replacement

Cracks and chips in your windshield can often be repaired, though sometimes windshield replacement is the only option to ensure the structural integrity of the glass. Many of our Wake Forest, NC customers are surprised at the extent we can repair damage to auto glass.

If your windshield has a recent chip that is smaller than ½” in diameter or a single crack that is three inches long or less, we can fix it. Typically, we look at the size, depth, and location of damage to determine the best option to ensure safety and long-lasting durability. For example, a small, new chip in the center of the windshield is easily fixed, but a long crack on the edge of the windshield that can quickly spread or affect visibility would mean the glass should be replaced. 

For our team to assess whether your windshield is eligible for a repair versus a replacement, we will consider the following three factors: 

• The size: chips smaller than the size of a quarter and cracks smaller than 3 inches in length are easily repaired. 
• The depth: windshields are made of several layers of glass and plastic– the outer layer, the internal plastic interlayer, and an inside glass layer. If chips or cracks reach the inner layer of glass, they cannot be repaired, they must be replaced entirely. 
• The location: if the windshield damage is near the outer edges of the glass, dangerously affecting the structural integrity of the car. If there are pits, cracks, or chips that directly obstruct the driver’s view, a windshield replacement is likely a more suitable choice. 

A full windshield replacement is necessary for circumstances such as: 

• spiderweb cracks or any crack longer than three inches
• multiple chips or excessive pits in the glass from road debris
• a single chip larger than ½” in diameter
• a chip or crack that is growing in size or spreading
• a chip or crack that affects visibility
• shattering caused by extreme temperature changes, accidents, destructive debris, or the result of an untreated or ignored crack 

How Windshield Repair Works

Repairing a windshield isn’t a “temporary fix,” it is a permanent repair designed for minor chips and cracks in your windshield. With chips, the rough edges are smoothed, loose slivers are cleaned out, and all air is removed from the void. Then, a clear resin is placed into the crack or chip to bond the glass and ensure a strong, durable repair that will last the lifespan of your windshield. Once it cures, it will not only stop any damage from spreading, it will minimize the appearance of the crack or chip. This process usually takes around an hour when done by a professional windshield repair technician. 

The Benefits of Windshield Repair 

If you’re unsure whether you should replace or repair your windshield, consider these benefits: 

• Peace of mind. If you get a chip or a crack, it may not be a problem for weeks or even months, but it can quickly spread and is more likely to shatter, which can be dangerous in the event of a collision. 
• Ensures structural integrity. The faster you get a chip or crack repaired, the better it is for your windshield. A repair is meant to be permanent, strengthening the surrounding glass with a powerful resin. 
• Significantly less expensive. In most cases, repairs can be completed between $75 and $200, whereas replacements vary greatly, starting at $200 and ranging in cost up to as much as $1,000. The cost typically depends on your vehicle’s make, model, and year.

Our team can quickly repair a damaged windshield and have you back out on the road soon.