Windscreen Repair or Windscreen Replacement? [Infographic]
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Windscreen Repair or Windscreen Replacement?
Even the smallest crack or chip can quickly escalate into a major problem which can render your vehicle undriveable. This article will help you determine whether the size, depth, position and type of crack on your windscreen means it needs to be repaired or replaced, so you know exactly what is required when contacting a professional to fix the problem.
Why should I fix the crack in my windscreen?
Not only are chips and cracks on a windscreen a major annoyance, but they can also impede your vision when driving which can prove to be fatal. As stated in the Road Traffic Act, driving a vehicle with a chip or crack in the windscreen is a criminal offence which can result in a hefty fine and three points on your driving licence.
Whether your windscreen needs repairing or replacing, we can help!
How do I know whether to get my windscreen repaired or replaced?
Most of the time, chips and cracks on the windscreen can be easily repaired, however, in some cases the damage is so extensive that it is beyond repair and the entire windscreen needs to be replaced. This usually depends on four main factors:
Size and number of cracks
The size of the chip or crack on the windscreen is a major factor in determining whether the windscreen needs to be repaired or replaced:
- A crack on your windscreen which is smaller than a £2 coin can be repaired
- If the crack is larger than a £2 coin, or there are a collection of cracks, then the windscreen will need to be replaced
Multiple cracks on a windscreen can be difficult to repair, so the best course of action is to replace the entire windscreen.
Depth of crack
A windscreen is made from three layers of glass; a layer of protective safety glass fitted between two curved sheets of glass. If the crack spreads to the inner layer of the windscreen, the damage cannot be repaired and the entire windscreen will need to be replaced.
Position of damage on windscreen
The position of the crack on the windscreen is another key consideration when deciding whether your windscreen needs to be repaired or replaced. First and foremost, if a chip or crack is impairing the driver’s line of vision and it is no bigger than 10mm, the windscreen can be repaired. However, if it is larger than 10mm, the windscreen will need to be replaced.
If the position of the crack is at least 3 cm from the edge of the windscreen, the windscreen will need to be repaired. However, if the damage is located closer to the edge than 3 cm, the windscreen must be replaced.
Type of crack
Windscreen Chips are typically one of the most common problems to appear. They are usually caused by impact from a small rock which results in a chunk of the glass to be removed. Typically small in size, a chip must be fixed as quickly as possible before it forms a larger crack across your windscreen.
The different types of windscreen cracks include:
Star breaks
A collection of small cracks which resembles a star shape.
Bullseye crack
Its bullseye appearance is caused by a circular object, such as a small stone or rock.
Half moon
Its semicircle appearance is caused by a circular object, such as a small stone or rock.
Combination crack
A chip with a sequence of cracks coming off of it.
Floater crack
Starts in the middle of the windscreen and is caused by sudden changes in temperature.
Edge crack
Occur on the outer 2-3 inches of the windscreen and are the most common cause of windscreen replacements.
Stress crack
Usually caused by variation in temperature, rather than impact from an object.
These cracks can cause different degrees of damage to your windscreen; if you are unsure about how much damage your crack has created, you will need to consult with a technician to find out the best course of action.
Whether you have identified that your windscreen needs to be repaired or replaced, or you need professional to do so for you, don’t hesitate to contact our expert team at 1st Call Windscreens today. Our fully qualified technicians offer 24/7 mobile windscreens repair and replacement services so we can travel directly to your location and get you back on the road in next to no time. We cover Sittingbourne, Maidstone, Gillingham and the surrounding areas. To find out more, simply give us a call today!
1st Call Windscreens
Hello and welcome to 1st Call Windscreens. To put it simply, we offer the best windscreen repair and windscreen replacement services for customers in Sittingbourne, Maidstone and the rest of Kent.
- Reviews.io
we are very happy with the repairs carried out and the speed of the response. Great job, would recommend !st Call Windscreens any time....
- 4 days ago
Excellent service. A niggling leak on the windscreen was fixed quickly and efficiently. The screen was removed without fuss or damage and resealed. It's a job that insurers won't touch,they only de...
- 2 weeks ago
Discovered my Volvo V50 was not sealing at the top. Autoglass wanted to replace it for £700, called 1st Call and they removed and resealed it for £100+vat and said that if it had broken it would only ...
- 4 weeks ago
Absolutely the best. From the first phone call to collecting my car with new side window that had been vandalised being replaced. next day service so my car was back on the road promptly. Extremely ...
- 1 month ago
Excellent Workmanship Good Value and Top Quality Customer Service: I recently had my Ford Fiesta ST heated windscreen replaced by 1st Call Windscreens, I couldn't be happier with the whole experienc...
- 2 months ago
Brilliant service. Would recommend 1st call windscreens to anyone looking for an efficient service. Friendly and helpful above and beyond ! 0...
- 2 months ago
Asked for a quote online which came through quickly. Just £48 inc vat for windscreen stone chip. Phoned to book a repair. I could either take the car to them or they would come out to me the next day....
- 3 months ago
Tom turned up on time, he was professional but friendly, he kept me informed on what he was doing and progress, and did a great job! Thanks Tom. Would highly recommend...
- 3 months ago
I needed my windscreen replaced due to a large crack; I was booked in straight away and I couldn’t be happier. They came to my house to fit the replacement, only took them about 20 minutes and they ev...
- 4 months ago
Couldn't be happier, had my Evoque windscreen re sealed as was leaking. Highly recommend 1st Call Windscreens. The guys were extremely helpful & friendly both on phone and doing the work. The work was...
- 4 months ago
Fantastic service, booked for a site visit to alleviate any disruption to the engineers day and it all went seamlessly. I would definitely recommend 1st Call Windscreens and will use them in the futu...
- 4 months ago
Customer service were great responded to my call out vey quickly and the guy that came out was very nice and helpful Thank you...
- 5 months ago
Had my chip fixed at my home this afternoon - cannot praise the service enough!!!! Lovely man who took 10-15 minutes - perfect job and no issues - very good price and highly recommend them Jo Seveno...
- 6 months ago
Very helpful and carried out a repair at very short notice on our way to catch a ferry. Very polite and stabilised the chip in our windscreen so that we could continue abroad for our holiday uninterru...
- 6 months ago
Made a call to 1st call windscreens as I was worried about a chip in my screen. The guys were very helpful, turned up on time and carried out a fantastic repair and was cheaperthan my insurance acce...
- 7 months ago
We had an emergency windscreen repair needed when travelling down from Oxfordshire to Kent. The Sittingbourne team went out of their way to help us at very short notice and allowing us to resume our j...
- 7 months ago
Jake was friendly, polite and helpful. He left no mess inside or outside the car and took away the boxes the seals came in even though they were supplied direct by the BMW dealer....
- 7 months ago
Arrived on time at my home address. Was very professional, polite and efficient. No hassle and no mess. Screen was replaced on my mini in no time at all and looks perfect. Thank you will highly recom...
- 7 months ago
So happy with Byron and Jake today very friendly and professional from 1st Call Windscreens Ltd. They come extremely well prepared with attention to detail. A great job was done on replacing my wind...
- 8 months ago
1st Call windscreens are absolutely 1st class. Spoke with David on the phone and he was so helpful and knowledgeable. Took our car up to them to advise on the correct windscreens which embarrassingl...
- 8 months ago
George west from 1st call windscreens Ltd was quite friendly and managed to do a fantastic job on my stone CHIP WINDSCREEN....
- 8 months ago
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