| Safety & Installation |
| |
| Why Replacing your Car Windshield is so Important? |
| |
| A car windshield is one of the most critical components of your car to keeping you and your family safe in the event of a car crash. This is why it is important to have your auto glass replaced or repaired to maintain the structural integrity of the vehicle whenever you notice damage to your car windshield. |
| |
| Prior to the energy crisis of the 1970’s, cars were built with a heavy steel skeleton frame. The heavy steel frame provided support for the roof and sides of the vehicle in the event of a crash. Since then, auto manufacturers have cut their raw material costs by making the vehicles with lighter alloy materials. These vehicles are more fuel-efficient than the old ones. The newly designed vehicles have a lower-profile to them which weakens the roof support system. |
| |
| In addition, air-bags became commonly used in the 1990’s. In the event of a crash, the air-bag deploys using the car windshield as a “backboard” to bounce-off of to protect you in the crash. If a car windshield is not attached properly, the windshield can be jettisoned out of the vehicle causing the airbags and the passengers to fly out of the space in the window. A firmly attached car windshield is necessary for air-bags to function properly! |
| |
| To offset this weakened structural support, Engineers have designed the car windshield to make up for these deficiencies. The new design welds the windshield to the frame of the car with urethane. This urethane is an insulating adhesive, and in combination with the windshield, attaches to the frame of the car, providing the structural support necessary to meet Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS). |
| |
| As you can see, your car’s windshield is an essential part of your car’s overall structural integrity and safety. This is why you should have your windshield repaired or replaced as soon as you discover any damage. Before it’s too late! |
| |
| Call us at our main number, 402-896-5255, to schedule a convenient appointment for auto glass repair or replacement. |
| |
| ABC News 20/20 Quote |
| |
“A windshield can be as important to auto safety as seat belts, air bags, and anti-lock brakes. More than just protection from wind, rain, and debris, auto glass can save lives by preventing the driver and passengers from being thrown out of a vehicle in a collision. And, today more than ever, vehicles depend on the glass to add to its structure and strength as a whole. So, for example, the windshield can be an essential part of an air bag system or prevent the roof from caving in. But installation is key: The difference between a properly affixed windshield and a poor job can be the difference between life and death.”Â
-ABC News, 2/25/00 |
| |
| Federal Standards on Vehicle Safety |
| |
| Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS), are set by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. These regulations detail the safety criteria manufacturers must meet in order to conform. The FMVSS Safety Standards #212, #216, and #219 apply to windshield installations. The complete, current regulations may be found by clicking here:Â Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards. |
| |
| Question: What’s the difference between my windshield and the other glass in my car? Isn’t glass just glass? |
| |
| Answer: No – there’s a very important difference between your windshield and the rest of the glass in your car. |
| |
| Your windshield is made of LAMINATED SAFETY GLASS. What makes it unique is its special construction, designed to offer optimum safety in the event of a crash. LAMINATED SAFETY GLASS is made up of two pieces of glass, with a thin layer of vinyl sandwiched between them. The three pieces are laminated together by applying heat and pressure in a special oven called an autoclave. |
| |
| When a small object strikes a piece of safety glass, often only the outer layer struck breaks. This is what makes windshield rock chip repair possible. |
| |
| In a more severe impact, the glass “shatters” but usually does not fly apart – the broken pieces of glass generally adhere to the vinyl inner lining. LAMINATED SAFETY GLASS also acts as a barrier to objects moving inside the vehicle. |
| |
| The side and rear windows are made of TEMPERED GLASS. As the name implies, the glass has been “tempered”, i.e., put through a special process where it is heated, then rapidly cooled. This “tempering” process makes the glass many times stronger than un-tempered glass of the same thickness. |
| |
| Upon impact, TEMPERED GLASS is designed to disintegrate into small pieces of glass about the size of rock salt. There should be no large, jagged pieces of glass to injure the driver or passengers. However, the force necessary to break a piece of tempered glass is considerably more than an un-tempered piece. |
| |
| Question: I have a crack or a ding in my windshield – is it really important that I fix it right away? |
| |
| Answer: Yes! It’s important for two reasons: |
| |
-
- If the ding is small, it may be repairable. That means Omaha Glass Pro can “mend” the break without replacing your entire windshield. Repairing your windshield typically takes less than 30 minutes, and is fully guaranteed by Omaha Glass Pro. If for any reason it fails, the cost of the repair will be applied toward a replacement windshield.
Best of all, in most cases, your insurance company will waive the deductible on repair service, so it’s free to you! But the longer you let the damage remain without having it fixed, the more dirt and debris will collect in the break and the more the break will spread. If it gets too big, it’s very likely that a replacement will be necessary.
|
| |
- The second reason to have a damaged windshield fixed is for your own safety. The windshield is more than just a “shield” from wind and road dirt, it’s an important structural element of your car. It helps keep you and your passengers in the car in a front impact accident, and keeps your car’s airbag in the optimum position so it can function as designed. If your windshield is weakened due to damage, it could be dangerous to you and your passengers in the event of an accident. Also, damaged glass may cause optical impediments when driving, particularly at night, which is a significant safety hazard.
|
| |
| Question: Does my windshield really protect me? |
| |
| Answer: Yes. Your windshield plays an integral part in roof crush protection in a roll-over accident. It also provides the brace for your passenger-side airbag. If your windshield loses adhesion on a collision or rollover, your safety is in jeopardy. This is why it is important that your auto glass work be done by a trained professional. |
| |
| Can I have my glass replaced at my home or office? |
| |
| Answer – Yes, but you should take precautions. You should avoid having your windshield replaced outside when the weather is bad. Any time the temperature is below 40 degrees Fahrenheit, one-part adhesives may not adhere properly, and your windshield could leak or lose its adhesion. In low temperature and high humidity situations, Omaha Glass Pro will use a OEM urethane sealant containing a chemical drying agent that will harden quickly under all temperature and humidity conditions. No reputable company would replace a windshield during poor weather conditions without setting up a temporary shelter over your car to protect it during the installation. At  Omaha Glass Pro we only use the correct urethane, so if its below 40 degrees we use a urethane that cures up to 20 degrees below zero. |
| |
| At Omaha Glass Pro we are working for you to protect the most important thing and that’s you and your family! |
