The most obvious cause of broken windshields is a stone hitting the glass while the vehicle is in motion.
Stones and other debris impacting the glass can cause anything from little chips to completely shattered windshields depending on the velocity at which the stone hits, the angle, and other factors.
Yet this is only one of many ways in which cracked and broken windshields can occur.
Take note of all the ways reasons why broken windshields happen, as some of them can be prevented!
- Stones and Road Debris - As already mentioned above, stones and other road debris hitting the windshield are the main cause of broken windshields every day. Smaller defects like chips can frequently be repaired, but bigger cracks and shattered windshields cannot and must be replaced.
- Vehicle Accidents - Along similar lines, impacts that happen during vehicle accidents are the next most common cause of cracked windshields and shattered glass. Broken windshields can also happen during accidents if the metal structure around the windshield flexes too much, causing the glass to shatter due to that flexion.
- Extreme Temperature Changes - In the same way that it will break a drinking glass, sudden extreme temperature changes will also cause a broken windshield. Due to the properties of expansion and contraction, overheated windshields in very hot climates can actually crack if the air conditioner in the vehicle is turned on high and the uppermost vents blow directly onto the glass. The same can happen in extremely low temperatures when high heat is blown on the glass to defrost it. Extremely hot or cold windshield glass needs time to slowly cool or warm to prevent this damaging effect.
- Poor Auto Glass Installation - Another common cause of shattered windshields is improper auto glass installation. Unless the windshield is properly placed and affixed to the vehicle, flexion and vibration could cause it to crack or shatter. This is an important reason to always have a windshield replacement done by a qualified auto glass shop with a reputation for great work.
- Poor Quality Auto Glass - Low-quality, less expensive auto glass that does not meet the OEM manufacturer’s specifications for that vehicle can also end up broken or cracked since it is frequently not produced according to the brand-name glass and vehicle requirements.
Knowing these different causes of shattered and cracked windshields, vehicle owners can at least practice good habits to reduce breakage based on a few of these points.
Still, broken windshields caused by rocks and other debris will happen.
In these instances where a cracked windshield cannot be prevented, always seek a trusted auto glass shop that will do a great repair or replacement!