Why The Quality of Windshields Matter
As a Tucson, Arizona, driver in need of windshield repair, your first instinct is almost certainly to save as much money as you can. That’s completely understandable; no one wants to overpay for any auto service, and windshield work can be expensive. On the other hand, the phrase “you get what you pay for” definitely applies to this vital car component.
At Max Auto Glass, we pride ourselves on being Tucson’s go-to provider for all windshield repair and replacement services. Auto glass jobs are the only services we handle, allowing us to focus solely on this work. And because the windshield is the most prominent piece of glass in any vehicle, it should come as no surprise to learn that we offer a complete range of windshield repair and replacement services.
When you choose Max Auto Glass for your windshield replacement or repair, you’ll get the comfort that comes with knowing that our team of experts is on the case. One hundred percent of our technicians have Auto Glass Safety Council™ and Dow certifications. That means they’re more than qualified to carefully fix your current windshield or install an exceptional new windshield for your vehicle.
Are you ready for the Tucson area’s best windshield repair and replacement services? If so, get started by requesting a quote today!
Do You Need Windshield Repair or Windshield Replacement?
Whether your windshield needs to be fixed or completely replaced, it’s crucial to ensure you get high-quality services from a reputable Tucson auto glass shop. Still, your first step should be determining what type of work your windshield actually needs.
As you might expect, windshield repair tends to be much cheaper than windshield replacement. Windshield repair is most suitable in situations where your windshield has sustained relatively minor damage, such as small cracks or chips. When done right, a windshield repair can make your windshield look like new. Unfortunately, not all auto glass shops in Arizona can provide this level of service.
Meanwhile, windshield replacement is precisely what it sounds like—removing your old windshield and putting in a new one. This procedure is much more in-depth than windshield repair, involving quite a bit of preparatory work—and as such, the associated costs are far higher. And like poorly-handled repairs, an improperly installed windshield can have serious drawbacks. In fact, poorly installed glass could endanger the lives of people in your vehicle.
If you’re having trouble figuring out whether you need a windshield repair or replacement, consider these factors:
- The size of the damage. The physical size of the damaged windshield section is the most influential aspect to think about when determining the type of service you need. Particularly large cracks are almost impossible to repair correctly, necessitating a replacement. If you’re wondering if your windshield is beyond repair, compare the size of the damaged area to a dollar bill—if the broken section is larger than that, it probably can’t be fixed.
- The location of the damage. If your crack or chip is near the edges of your windshield, there’s a good chance that you’ll be able to get it repaired. However, the same doesn’t go for damage in your field of vision while driving.
- The amount of damage your windshield received. Cracking in a single area is often simple to fix, but damage in more than one spot can seriously affect your windshield’s structural integrity.
What Makes Windshield Quality Important?
Of course, every motorist in Arizona knows that their windshield is a vital part of their vehicle. This car part allows you to see the road in front of you while keeping you safe from the elements. Still, it’s easy to think that windshields are essentially interchangeable—even though that’s actually not the case.
What you might not know is that your windshield goes a long way toward protecting you and any passengers in the event of a crash. This is why your windshield is considered to be part of your safety restraint system, which also includes your seatbelts and airbags. Although it may seem fragile, this pane of glass can also keep the top of your vehicle from being crushed in a rollover accident. The “average” windshield can sustain a single roll, but particularly high-quality windshields can cope with three or more. With that in mind, it’s wise to take your vehicle’s windshield seriously.
That said, making the decision to buy a higher-quality windshield (or making your windshield repair needs a high priority) also comes with more mundane benefits. While low-quality and high-quality windshields may look nearly identical in the shop, better windshields are simply better equipped to cope with precipitation and dirt—allowing them to provide better visibility over time. Meanwhile, high-quality windshields are typically easier to clean than alternative options.
OEM and OEE Windshields: What’s the Difference?
When it’s time for a new windshield, you’ll need to ensure you’re getting a genuinely high-quality product. The two main windshield varieties available today are OEM and OEE windshields. While both of these windshield types can deliver quality results, it’s crucial to familiarize yourself with their strengths and weaknesses.
OEM Windshields
If you’re looking for the absolute best replacement windshield available for your vehicle, you’re looking for original equipment manufacturer (OEM) glass. These windshields are made by companies capable of meeting the high standards set by auto manufacturers. As such, they’re as close to your vehicle’s original windshield as possible—and often feature the name and logo of your car’s manufacturer in recognition of this quality level.
Only OEM windshields can fully meet the standards set by your vehicle’s manufacturer, but you’ll have to pay extra for this privilege. Along with that, it can be harder to track down OEM windshields than lower-quality alternatives. Still, from a quality perspective, you can’t go wrong with these windshields.
OEE Windshields
Naturally, only some replacement windshields are personally approved by auto manufacturers. Another common windshield variety is known as original equipment equivalent (OEE) auto glass. You can expect these windshields to vary from your original windshield in terms of:
- Thickness
- Color
- Fit and shape
Although OEE windshields can’t match the sheer quality offered by OEM windshields, this doesn’t make them a bad option for your vehicle. They can’t legally meet manufacturer standards, but they still meet (or exceed!) the safety standards set by the Department of Transportation. At the same time, they’re considerably cheaper than OEM products.
Why Quality Auto Glass Services Matter
Nothing beats OEM windshields in terms of safety, visibility, and overall quality. That said, a properly installed OEE windshield is still a completely viable option for your vehicle. The emphasis is on “properly installed;” the majority of non-OEM windshield replacements are performed incorrectly. And when any windshield is installed by an unqualified service provider, the risk of failure increases.
Of course, the same principle applies to windshield repair. Although many damaged windshields don’t need to be replaced, the fact remains that some do, especially if they have a crack larger than three inches wide or damage in the driver’s line of sight. A less-than-reputable auto glass repair shop may not take this into account and provide a “fix” that only delays the inevitable—while charging you a pretty penny for their work.
Instead of taking your chances with a less-established Tucson windshield repair business, your best bet is to choose Max Auto Glass for these services. As a BRAKEmax Tire & Service Centers division, we can fix or replace your windshield at any BRAKEmax location. If that’s not enough, our crew can provide mobile auto glass repair service at your home or office free of charge. And because our crew members are all highly qualified, that level of convenience won’t come at the expense of quality workmanship.
Save Money on Quality Windshield Repair
It’s never a good idea to go against your instincts and choose an under qualified auto glass shop for windshield repair or replacement. If you do, you’ll put the quality of your windshield in jeopardy. At the same time, the main reason why people select these businesses is that they think they’ll save money in the process.
The truth is, choosing a well-known auto glass repair shop like Max Auto Glass doesn’t mean you’ll have to pay through the roof for your new or repaired windshield. That’s because we offer a wide selection of money-saving opportunities to our valued Tucson customers.
Do you need a new high-quality windshield in Arizona? If so, you’ll likely be able to save big at Max Auto Glass. As an in-network provider for all major insurance companies, we can give you up to $100 back on auto glass replacement work.
But your chance to save on auto glass services at Max Auto Glass doesn’t stop there. Local educators can get free windshield chip repair or a BRAKEmax gift card through the Tucson Values Teachers program. Meanwhile, we offer dedicated BRAKEmax financing for people seeking extra financial support. Most importantly, you can rest assured that these savings won’t detract from your ability to get the best possible windshield repair or replacement!
