The rear window on your car may shatter if you are involved in a car accident or if a piece of road debris hits it. When this happens, you will want to replace the window as quickly as possible to prevent outdoor elements, such as rain, dirt, dust, and pests, from entering your car and remove the temptation for easy access for thieves.
But when you go to a glass repair shop and obtain a quote for rear windshield replacement, you may be surprised that it is priced differently than front windshield replacement.
Here are a few reasons why replacing the rear glass on your car differs from replacing the windshield and how this affects the price.
Rear Windows Are Made From a Different Type of Glass
One of the biggest reasons there is a price difference when replacing front and back windshields on a car is that they are made from different types of glass. Front windshields are made with laminated glass, composed of two to three layers laminated together. If something hits the windshield, the glass is so strong that it should not shatter, helping to protect your face and eyes from flying glass.
On the other hand, a back windshield is made from tempered glass, which is designed to shatter completely when broken. But instead of sharp shards, it shatters into tiny, sand-like pebbles, reducing the risk of glass-related injuries. The glass design is one part of why there is a price difference.
Clean Up is Typically Required With Back Windshield Replacement
As mentioned above, back windshields are designed to shatter when damaged. As such, when you need a back windshield replaced, the windshield typically comes in thousands of pieces. A technician must properly and carefully clean your car and the area around the back window before installing a new one. Since front windshields do not typically shatter, this is not something that usually needs to happen when front windshields are replaced; the extra labor and care will add to the cost.
Rear Windows Typically Have a Defrost Grid on Them
Rear windshields typically have or connect to a defrost grid. This defrost grid helps to melt ice and snow off your back windshield on cold winter mornings. The extra feature takes more time to install in your car, which impacts the replacement price.
Rear Windshield Features
The rear windshield comes in all shapes and sizes. Car makers design windshields to fit onto the cars they build. Thus, no two windshields are the same. Most cars have a rear windshield bonded to the rear vehicle frame.
Certain models of trucks have sliding panes called "truck sliders" or ones that open outwards on a hinge and allow the air to circulate throughout the vehicle or provide additional room for larger loads. There are also cars that have rear windshield wipers to wipe dirt and water off the rear windshield so the rear view is not obstructed, another extra component that will change the price.
Don’t Put Off Your Rear Windshield Replacement
The fact is, the rear windshield is as vital to protecting passengers in a car as any other window. For this reason, you should never delay getting the windshield professionally repaired once it's broken. Doing so could cause serious injury during a collision, as you'll have no protection from the rear.
We recommend bringing your car to Only 1 Auto Glass repair center so that we can inspect the damage and make the necessary repairs. If the damage is extensive, we'll need to replace the windshield instead of replacing it. Regardless, we'll restore the glass to your car to look and perform like new.
Dealing with Auto Glass Damage? Only 1 Auto Glass Has You Covered
If your back windshield is shattered or damaged, Only 1 Auto Glass in St. Paul, Minnesota, can help. We specialize in repairing and replacing auto glass in personal and commercial vehicles. We offer affordable rates, same-day service, and quality work you can depend on.
To schedule a repair or get an estimate, contact us at 651-789-1111, or you can message us on our contact page.