(256) 353-9181
625 Second Avenue S.E.,
Decatur, Alabama 35601
Fax (256) 353-9197
e-mail: dsports@hiwaay.net
Hours of Operation
Monday - Friday 7:00am - 5:00pm
We accept Master Card, Visa, Discover
and American Express.
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 Windshield Installation Can Make the Difference Between Life and Death |
| Feb. 25
— 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. [click here to read more about ABC TV's 20/20 show on proper windshield installation and passenger safety on ABC TV News Website] |
| Windshields:
The Origin Prior to 1919, “horseless carriages” were very few in number and operated at relatively low speeds. As motorized vehicles grew more common and their speed increased, the wind and debris thrown into the faces of drivers became a more serious matter. To alleviate this concern, manufacturers included glass as, literally, a windshield. But this did not solve the problem completely. While the new windshields made the drive more comfortable, they did not adequately protect from flying debris. Objects would frequently fracture early windshields, causing dangerous glass fragments to shower the occupants. In 1919, Henry Ford addressed the problem by using a new technology founded in France called glass laminating. Windshields made using this process were actually two layers of glass with a cellulose inner layer that held the glass together. Between 1919 and 1929, Ford ordered the use of laminated glass on all of his vehicles. Today, windshields are no longer held together with cellulose, but with a high- strength vinyl called polyvinyl butyral (PVB). This PVB must be .030 of an inch thick to provide the strength needed to hold the occupants in the vehicle and the flexibility to reduce injury if a person is thrown into the glass. All currently fabricated windshields must meet this specification to satisfy federal motor vehicle safety standards. |
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The Automobile Glass FAQ |
We have included some frequently asked questions about the glass in your car.
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 process makes the glass many times stronger than untempered glass of the same thickness. Upon impact TEMPERED GLASS is designed to disintegrate into small glass pieces 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. 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: 1. If the ding is small, it may be repairable. That means your PPG PROSTARS Certified Technician can "mend" the break without replacing your entire windshield. Repairing your windshield typically takes less than 30 minutes, and is fully guaranteed by your PPG PROSTARS Certified Technician. 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 replacement will be necessary. 2. 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 to 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. 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. What is OEM glass?Answer - OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer. This means that the glass meets the same original specifications for safety and quality as the glass that it came with from the factory. Windshields may look simple but they are actually made from 2 pieces of glass that are bent in a very precise way. If a windshield does not meet the exact specifications of the manufacturer it will not fit precisely in your car. The best way to assure exact fit is to use a windshield produced from a fixture engineered to manufacturers specifications. OEM glass is your assurance that this has occurred. Click here to learn more about PPG's OEM replacement glass. 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, PPG PROSTARS Certified Technicians are trained to use a two-part adhesive 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. What kind of warranty should I ask for?Answer - Make sure it covers water and air leaks. Also, if there is a problem with the windshield not seating or sealing properly, the shop should take care of it. Reputable shops, such as PPG PROSTARS Certified Technicians, stand behind their work. If you have a problem after installation, PPG PROSTARS Certified Technicians will resolve the issue. Their written warranty is your guarantee.
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