When talking about a car’s glass, we find different types across the vehicle’s structure and, although it might not seem like it, each car window has its own particularities.
When it comes to repairing the different types of windshield damage in a car glass workshop, the job will be very different compared to fixing, for example, side windows. The main reason is that the windshield is chiefly responsible for the safety of the vehicle’s occupants and, therefore, must be much more resistant than the rest of the car’s glass. For this reason, the material used to manufacture and repair a windshield makes it different from the other windows, which in turn means that replacing windshield wipers when required becomes an important point to emphasise.
In today’s article, from Ralarsa we explain what types of glass exist, and how these can influence maintenance and repair tasks for car glass in any of our car glass workshops.
What differentiates laminated glass from tempered glass?
The main aspect to consider regarding a vehicle’s glass is the material it’s made from. Normally, laminated glass and tempered glass are used in the manufacture of vehicle windows.
Laminated glass. The main purpose of laminated glass is to be resistant to impacts and the various types of windshield damage. To achieve this, its structure is made up of several layers of glass bonded together so that, in the event of an impact, it retains its shape and does not shatter into hundreds of pieces.
Tempered glass. On the other hand, tempered glass is known for being a very resistant material thanks to the treatments applied to it. This process gives it the ability to, instead of breaking into large sharp pieces that could cause injury, break into very small fragments. The most familiar tempered glass we all know is the glass used in smartphone screens — which is why they have that peculiar break pattern when you least expect it.
From a technical perspective, the main difference between laminated glass and tempered glass lies in the resistance of each. The strength of a windshield is not the same as that of other windows, since it has the extra laminated reinforcement to protect all occupants in the event of an accident.
How does this affect repair in a car glass workshop?
In our Ralarsa workshops, whether a piece of glass is laminated or tempered affects the repair process just as much as whether it’s a side window or a windshield. From the outset, we will always try to repair the windshield whenever possible rather than replace it.
For a repair to be possible, it’s important to take care of your vehicle’s windshield, replace the wipers whenever necessary to avoid scratches, and visit the workshop as soon as you notice a small chip or crack that could worsen and spread. In this article from our blog, we share some tips to prevent that from happening.
If the impact is one of the types of windshield damage smaller than a two-euro coin, it can be as simple as applying a treatment that keeps the structure of the windshield intact.
Ralarsa, specialists in car windows
Whether it’s the tempered glass of the side windows or the laminated glass of your windshield, at Ralarsa we can repair it. Our more than 40 years of experience back us in offering a wide range of services — from replacing windshield wipers to headlight polishing, including ADAS system calibration — all with an impeccable seal of quality.
So don’t hesitate to contact your nearest Ralarsa car glass workshop to keep your vehicle always ready. Leave your car’s care in our hands — we’ll see you soon!
