If you have a crack or chip in your windshield, you may find yourself wondering whether the windshield can be repaired or whether it needs to be completely replaced. This can help you budget the necessary amount of money and find a windshield repair or auto glass replacement company to assist you. Here are a few guidelines that will help you determine whether repair or replacement is needed for your cracked windshield.

Size

Size matters when it comes to cracks and chips on your windshield. If the chip has a diameter greater than one inch, or a crack is longer than three inches, the windshield may not be able to be repaired. Anything smaller should be repairable.

Type of Crack

When it comes to cracks in glass, not all cracks are the same. Same cracks leave a single crack on your windshield, which is relatively easy to fill in. Other cracks have what appear to be cracks coming from the cracks. This may look like a tree, with multiple limbs or branches stemming from one main crack. Unfortunately, cracks with multiple cracks are much harder to fill in and repair. A technician will need to examine the crack and all of its stems to determine if the type of crack you have can be fixed or not.

It is important to note that clean cracks can develop cracks that branch off if you drive the vehicle or place it in direct sunlight before a repair can be made. This may hinder the ability of a technician to fix the crack. As such, you will want to have the windshield repaired as quickly as possible.

Location

The last factor that plays a role in whether a windshield can be repaired or not is the location of the crack or chip. Unfortunately, there may always be some discoloration, uneveness or blurriness that occurs in the windshield when a repair is made. Because of this, any chip or crack that is directly in the line of the sight of the driver should not be repaired. The windshield should be replaced instead. This ensures that the driver can clearly see everything going on on the road without any obstructions. If the crack is not in the driver's sight line, location does not factor into the repair versus replacement decision.

If you need auto glass repair, rock chip repair, or windshield replacement in the Minneapolis, St. Paul or Twin Cities areas, contact Only 1 Auto Glass. We specialize in auto glass repair and replacement. We can examine your windshield and help you determine whether repair or replacement is needed. Visit our website to learn more about us and how we can help you.