Windscreen Repairs & Replacements Guides & Resources

Can You Repair A Cracked Windscreen?

Windscreen cracks should be repaired as soon as possible to prevent spreading and reduce the need for a full replacement. If your chipped or cracked windscreen is left unattended, it spreads and increases the cost of repair over time. Naturally, insurance should cover you (if you have one). However, leaving such damages for long could invalidate your car insurance, therefore you should look for an experienced auto glass repair company. Windscreens are made from laminated glass with three layers: two sheets of ordinary glass with a layer of vinyl between them. If your windscreen has a small crack or chip in it, the glass still holds together because of this special layer. Cracks should be repaired as soon as possible. If you do not get a windscreen repair immediately and the [windscreen chipt](/guides/windscreen-repairs-replacements/windscreen-chip-repair-cost) or crack spreads, then you will eventually do a full windscreen replacement. This is an expensive job with specific requirements and you need the services of a professional glazier. A car's front window must be able to withstand hits from stone chips to bricks. The impact spreads almost instantly through the windscreen's layers. Some break because of the different strengths and flexibility of glass Some window glasses have a warranty and are stronger than others. ## Can a crack in a windscreen be fixed? Yes, you can do a windscreen replacement or a windscreen repair when it gets cracked. Typically it is done by injecting a rubber-like substance into the crack. The substance fills the gap and then hardens to hold it together. The filler usually matches the colour of your car's glass, so you will not notice it unless you look closely. If there is a chip in your windscreen, it can also be repaired by injecting resin or even glue into it. You must remember that repairing these chips does not restore the clarity of the glass, using these tools can only fix the strength of the glass. ## How big should a crack be before a windscreen repair? It is possible to do a windscreen chip repair if the chip is small. Windscreen chips smaller than 6mm (1/4 inch) long can typically be repaired by injecting resin into them. This works because the resin fills the gap and hardens quickly to hold the glass together. However, any chip or crack larger than 6mm (1/4 inch) is too large for resin injection. These substances harden when they come into contact with air and fill the gap in your windscreen's glass layers. They hold the pieces together without changing the strength of the glass. Resin injection works best on deeper damages that reach all three layers of your windscreen's glass. Note: Windscreen chip repair is possible when it is within 1 to 3 inches. Anything more than that, then it is a completely damaged windscreen. Normally, the most important thing that determines windscreen repair is size. However, they are other factors you may need to consider. ## Where is the location of the damage? The location of the glass damage is an important factor to consider before you call for a chip repair job. In most cases, a chipped windscreen can be repaired if the damage is right at the centre of the glass. All you need is the special resin used for sealing windscreens. The same applies to a windshield crack. If the damage is done at the edge of the windscreen, then a glass repair cannot save you, you need to get a new windscreen and have a glazier do a replacement. ## How do windscreen cracks occur? You can prevent having to do a window repair if you know how they occur. So what are the things that compromise the structural integrity of car glass? Stress poses a considerable level of risk. Depending on the extent of stress, windscreens are subjected to, the damage to the car may be a large crack or small dents. Small dirt, random debris, hail, or snow may cause only small cracks. Large objects, on the other hand, often exert enough pressure that causes crack across the driver's line of sight. Furthermore, accidents are another big risk to the car and the driver. Car windscreens may shatter on impact or suffer just little windscreen damage, depending on the severity of the accident. ## How to protect your windscreens from cracks Vehicle maintenance is important whether you are just a driver or the owner. To prevent safety issues and incessant repairs to your vehicle, the only option you have would be to prevent the cause of the damage. Below are some of the ways to protect your vehicle. ### Maintain a safe distance To ensure your own safety and to maintain the integrity of your vehicle, you should always make sure to keep a safe distance from potential dirt, and low tree branches that hang low. Also, you should take note to avoid parking under weak trees, or near uncompleted house structures. ### Drive slower Sometimes, driving in a debris full area is unavoidable. To avoid getting any small chip on your window, especially at the edge of your windshield, you must reduce the speed of your vehicle. The slower you move, the easier it is to maintain safety. ### Inspect your car on a regular basis It is best to notice a damaged area repair it on time. Window tinting adds aesthetics to vehicles, however, they do not provide any sort of protection against cracks. Window tints are only insurance against heat and sunlight rays. ### Weather forecasts are your friend It is best to avoid driving your vehicle in very stormy areas. Aside from reducing the damaged area on your vehicle, driving in a storm is a safety issue. A lot of things could go wrong. ## How hard is it to do a windscreen replacement? It takes around one hour to do a windshield replacement with hydraulic tools and special glues. If yours gets severely cracked or chipped, you definitely need to do a windscreen replacement. Since it is a job that requires the services and tools of a professional glazier, it takes around two hours. When your car has a crack or a chip, it is worth the time and money to do a windscreen repair. It will protect you and your passengers from harm. Resin injection repairs typically last for two years, but if repair is neglected, any damage that occurs next may require a complete windscreen replacement. ## Who can I call to replace a car windscreen? Auto glass repair and replacement require the services of professional glaziers. In case you get caught in-between choices, your insurance company may have a list of reliable glaziers in your area. How do you get your windscreen repaired? You can hold small windscreen chips and cracks in your car before you take it to a glazier. Also, you can call a local glazier and hold onto their telephone number for future use. Most windscreens are made by auto glass manufacturers and suppliers, you should be able to find a good one online or in your local telephone directory. You should also ask around because not all glaziers specialise in repairing broken car windows. A crack or chip in your car's windshield should be repaired immediately because it could spread quickly. ## How large of a crack in a windshield can be repaired? A car's front window should withstand anything from stone chips to brick hits. The impact spreads almost instantly through the windscreen's layers. Windows break because of the different strengths and flexibility of each layer. The glass in the middle layer is extremely strong, while the outer layers are more flexible. Approximately 30 to 70 percent of all car accidents involve damage to the windshield or the window. Small cracks that can be repaired easily with no visible effects on the driver. Large cracks, however, will affect the driver's field of vision. Therefore, these are considered unfixable. Usually, if the crack goes across your line of sight at eye level it's unsafe to drive. If the windscreen has a vertical crack between 10cm and 20 cm long you need to have it repaired as quickly as possible. Cracks and chips do grow over time, even when they're small (similar to how cracks in drywall and brick grow). There is no guaranteed amount of time that a crack will take to reach this point, anything from weeks to months can be expected, however it is best not to wait until the windscreen crack gets worse. ## What happens if you don't fix a broken windshield? If you do nothing, other pieces of the area start to fall out. A small crack can be repaired as long as no more than 1cm of glass is lost from each side of the break. Do not let any cracks grow wider than 10mm even if they appear harmless. They may seem fine at first, but they often deteriorate in time. Over time, a small windscreen chip grows till they are big and dangerous. Windscreens are a vital part of your car, with many Australian Standards around their replacement. Find out more about [vehicle standards in NSW](https://www.nsw.gov.au/topics/vehicle-registration/how-to/vehicle-standards/information-sheets), but check if it applies in your local area. ## How much does a new windshield cost? Replacing a car's windshield cost approximately between $300 and $500. This cost varies depending on where your location and the glazier. A windshield replacement usually takes around an hour if there are no complications. On average, fitting a windscreen typically costs less than a chip or crack repair, but this depends on the extent of damage to your window's glass. First, you should get multiple quotes from glaziers before choosing your preferred expert. You should remember to prioritise maintenance over repair. You should buy windshields that have a warranty, and you should always remember to get windshield insurance.