Top 7 Common Windscreen Myths and Misconceptions

A windscreen is an essential part of a vehicle’s strength, so it’s important to keep it in good overall condition. But no matter how careful you are, a number of things can cause damage. There are many windscreen myths and misconceptions which can leave us ill-informed.

Here are some of the most common windscreen myths and misconceptions.

Safety glass can’t break

Modern windscreens are made out of laminated glass, known as safety glass. Some people think this is crack or shatterproof. This isn’t true. A variety of things, such as flying debris, vandalism or severe temperature changes, can cause the glass to chip or even break.

The difference is that the broken pieces are small and mostly harmless, so if your windscreen does shatter, you won’t be harmed by sharp shards.

• Safety glass can’t break – MYTH

All chips are the same

They’re not. There are different types such as a star break, combination break, bullseye, half-moon, edge crack and stress crack. These can spread differently and at varying speeds due to vibration or changes in temperature, so it’s important to get advice from a professional repair company so they can recommend the most appropriate repair method for the type of damage.

• All chips are the same – MISCONCEPTION

Any damage will mean a new windscreen

Not true. It’s possible to repair some chips and cracks without having to replace the whole windscreen. If the damage is not severe, not more than 10mm wide, outside of the driver’s line of vision and safety is not compromised, it can be usually be repaired with a resin injection.

• Any damage will mean a new windscreen – MISCONCEPTION

You can leave small chips

Even a minor stone chip can weaken a windscreen. If ignored, it can spread over time and the entire windscreen may need replacing. Getting a chip, no matter how small, repaired soon after damage can avoid the risk of more costly repairs and save you money in the long run. It will also mean you avoid the risk of driving illegally with a cracked windscreen.

• You can leave small chips – MYTH

You can do it yourself with a cheap repair kit

You possibly can, but it won’t be as good as a repair done by an expert and may be ineffective if not done correctly. And if it’s in the driver’s line of vision and safety is an issue, your vehicle will fail its MOT test.

• You can do it yourself with a cheap repair kit – MISCONCEPTION

It will be costly and inconvenient

Some insurance companies allow for repairs and replacements without you paying the excess. Some people think it will take a long time and they will be without their vehicle for days. This isn’t true.

Many windscreen specialists can repair or replace your windscreen at your home or office in just a few hours – and many, like The Windscreen Company, will liaise directly with your insurer to save you the hassle.

• It can be costly and inconvenient – MISCONCEPTION

You can’t damage your car windscreen by de-icing it

You can damage your windscreen if you:

• Pour hot water on the windscreen. This can shatter the glass due to the extreme temperature change.
• Use a heavy object to break the ice or a screwdriver to chip away at the ice. This could create a hole or crack.
• Scrape the ice off with a metal object. This could scratch or cut grooves in the glass.

You can prevent potential damage by using a de-icer spray, or warm the car up and let the heat gradually melt the ice.

• You can’t damage your car windscreen by de-icing it – MISCONCEPTION

Get in touch for more information

Hopefully that has cleared up some of the biggest windscreen myths and misconceptions out there. Remember if your windscreen gets damage, your safety could be at stake. You can protect yourself and save money by acting swiftly and contacting the experts at The Windscreen Company. We can provide a fast and affordable service that will get you back on the road in no time.

The Windscreen Company

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The Windscreen Company, has over 20 years of experience in windscreen repair and replacement. Since 1998, they have been at the forefront of industry innovation, leveraging the latest technology to ensure customer safety and satisfaction.

The Windscreen Company's, help-and-advice pages offer valuable tips and guidance on maintaining vehicle safety through quality windscreen care, while also featuring updated industry realted content.

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• How to Keep Your Car Warm in Winter
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