Abra Auto Glass Blog

Should I repair or replace my windshield? - ABRA AUTO GLASS MINNESOTA & WESTERN WISCONSIN

Written by Admin | Nov 12, 2020 6:00:00 AM

Nobody is happy when a rock is kicked up by that semi on the highway and it cracks or chips your windshield. But, how can you tell the difference between an inexpensive repair or a more pricey replacement?

The short answer: you should always contact a professional to take a look because you never know what may be needed. We will look at some basic rules to see if you need a replacement or if a simple repair would be enough.In most cases, you can have your windshield repaired if:

  • The chip is under two inches wide and less than ⅜ of an inch deep
  • Only the outside layer of glass is damaged

You may need to consider a replacement if:

  • There are three or more chips / cracks
  • The damage is on the driver’s side. Repairing this may leave marks that could impair visibility.
  • The damage is around the outside of the glass. As windshields are held in place around the outside edges, damage around this area may compromise the integrity of the glass.
  • A repair of the windshield was not successful


These are great rules-of-thumb to follow, but an expert opinion is always recommended. If the integrity of your windshield is compromised, the strength and protection that it provides decreases dramatically.
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If you are in need of an expert opinion, the auto glass experts of Abra are here to help! Whether you need a simple repair or a full windshield replacement, we can handle any of your auto glass needs.