Finding a car glass specialist: things to consider

by | Mar 19, 2013 | Automotive

The glass in your car is among the most important glass you will ever encounter. In the event of an accident, the glass in your car can mean the difference between life and death. That’s why you need to choose both the right car glass and the right car glass specialist. Follow this guide to keep yourself safe.

Different types of car glass

There are two main types of car glass: tempered glass and laminated glass. Tempered glass is fitted mainly to the side and back windows. This glass is made by heating the glass to extremely high temperatures then quickly cooling it. This causes the outer layer to be cooler than the hot inner part of the glass which results in what engineers call – compressive stress. This makes the glass hard but also easy to shatter.

When you are in an accident, you want your glass to shatter. This will help you escape in an emergency. If the glass didn’t shatter then you could potentially be trapped in your car during an accident.

The other type of glass, laminated glass, is made for the windscreen. This glass is really two pieces of tempered glass stuck together with a plastic layer in between holding them together. This type of glass is exceptionally strong and doesn’t shatter. A shattered windscreen could be dangerous, so instead, it is made of laminated glass. In an accident, the plastic in the middle of the glass should hold the pieces together.

One thing to remember, is that laminated glass is just as strong as tempered glass. It needs to be because if the car rolls over and the windscreen doesn’t hold strong, it could crush the occupants. It also needs to be strong enough to withstand the deployment of the airbag. Airbags can deploy at a furious pace so you need to make sure the windscreen holds. Even if you’re buying car glass in Cambridge, this should be true.

Choosing a windscreen specialist

You can get car glass in Cambridge, or anywhere in the UK, but you won’t be able to fit it yourself. For that you will need a specialist. Make sure you find a good specialist, but don’t be afraid to shop around to find the best price. Don’t go instantly to wherever your insurance company sends you – they don’t always send you to the cheapest place. Find one with trusted reviews and who is fully certified to replace the windscreen of your make and model of car.

A good specialist should be able to replace and repair the windscreen in less than an hour and have you back on the road in two hours. They will also be able to repair and replace the windscreen at your home or your work place, saving you the inconvenience of having to travel to a shop. They should also be available 24/7 in case of emergencies.

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