Category Archives: Windshields

If you’re searching for best windshield glass brands, you’ve probably got a chipped or cracked windshield. Finding quality replacement windshields is important not only for your safety, but also for maintaining the value of the vehicle. This post will help you understand what windshield glass is available and what works best. Many times in Arizona windshield replacement will be covered with no deducible through vehicle insurance policies that have full comprehensive coverage.

Windshield Manufacturers: Dealer, OEM, and Aftermarket

In Arizona, T&S Auto Glass is your high quality choice for windshield replacement. Whereas, in China the popular third party aftermarket installers include Brightpower, Dongguan, and ShiyanHuachao. It should be noted that America and Europe make third party aftermarket windshields, but in China and other countries in the far East, they are OEM.

Dealer

When it comes to dealer windshields, they are basically the same as an OEM windshield, with one main difference; the windshield has the dealer symbol emblazoned on it. For instance, if a person acquires their windshield from a Honda dealership, the windshield would have Honda located on the bottom corner. This occurs with all dealers.

Companies Providing Dealer Windshields

The companies that offer OEM windshields also offer the dealer windshields, with the top three manufacturers again being PPG, AP Tech, and Pikington. The only difference is the manufactureapplies the dealer name or logo to the windshield.

Manufacturers

The windshield (a.k.a. windscreen) is a significant element of a vehicle. When it gets damaged, it not only lowers the appearance, but the operation and safety of the vehicle. While a windshield is replaceable, there are various windshield manufacturers available to choose from. Also, each manufacturer may offer a different type of windshield for the same vehicles. These type of parts are known as aftermarket and OEM windshields.

In addition, there are situations where Chinese-made glass is just stamped with the name of an American company, this is because the American company placed an order with a Chinese manufacturer and not due to being a Chinese ‘imitation’. The OEM vendor is unable to participate in these type of practices due to the risk of losing the ‘approved vendor’ status, and breaking contracts.

OEM

There are several major OEM windshield brands, including Carlite, Saint-Gobain Sekurit (SGS), PPG, Pilkinton, AP Tech, and Mopar.

An OEM windshield include those installed by the manufacturer and produced specifically for the vehicle model type. The Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) part could change between years as cost reduction is achieved by the manufacturer. An OEM windshield is going to have the exact same moldings and attachments as the original part, due to being the identical product with the same part number. For this reason, an OEM windshield is easily changed with the part from the same manufacturer. Obviously an OEM windshield is going to have the same standards as the original.

Companies Providing OEM Windshields

When it comes to OEM windshield production, there are many popular companies, including PPG, AP Tech, and Pilkington. These are long trusted companies within the auto industry for supplying windshields. Individuals looking to replace their OEM windshield can obtain one straight from the brand supplier.

Aftermarket

An aftermarket windshield is purchased at a company which is not affiliated with the dealer and does not carry OEM. For instance, Safelite is the leading aftermarket windshield carrier in the U.S. The windshields are offered at affordable prices, and do not have dealer stamps. However, they may not have the same standards as a dealer or OEM windshield.

Which Windshield to Choose?

It can become frustrating to locate the perfect option for a windshield replacement, as there are three main options available. The following should be considered by the car owner:

Safety: Dealer and OEM windshields are designed and produced to specifically fit the vehicle. This ensures the windshield provides a tight fit and upholds the safety standards. In addition, OEM parts pass government regulations, just as the original did.

Quality: When it comes to quality, aftermarket windshields may not provide the quality standards of OEM or dealer windshields.

Price: An aftermarket windshield tends to be less expensive, but OEM and dealer windshields provide better quality and safety standards.

It is typically recommended by auto glass professionals to go with an OEM replacement or dealer windshield replacement for the safety and quality they provide.

Phoenix Best Windshield Replacement Service

If you’re looking for the best windshield glass, installed with the best service, T&S Auto Glass is your choice for anywhere in the Phoenix Valley. We offer mobile windshield replacement in all of the cities in the Phoenix Valley including Phoenix, Mesa, Chandler, Gilbert, Glendale, Tempe, and more. Every windshield replacement technician is trained and equipped to provide exceptional windshield replacement services using top quality windshield glass. When your car needs a new windshield trust the best and call T&S.

Schedule Windshield Replacement Today

480-345-0990 /602-667-3030 /623-878-5566

Typically, modern windshields are created from laminated safety glass, which is a treated glass and usually combines two curved glass sheets and a plastic lamina ted layer between for safety. They are then bonded to the window frame. Whereas, windshields for motorbikes are commonly created with high-impact acrylic plastic or poly-carbonate.

Car Glass

Car glass includes the rear and side windows, and a windscreen. Sometimes, there may be a glass roof. The side windows can be fixed, or a power or hand cranked window allowing it to be raised and lowered. A powered sunroof is a retractable and transparent window that can be fixed, powered or manually open.

There are models which provide sun blinds for the rear side and rear windows. Also, window shields are a feature which provides additional protection and safety from debris, while providing the driver more comfort. Most car glass uses a glass run channel to hold it in place, this also helps contain glass fragments if glass is broken.

The majority of car models today use laminated glass due higher safety and protection as it will not shatter into sharp pieces.

Car Windshields

The purpose of a windshield is to protect the occupants from debris, including insects, dust, and the wind while providing aerodynamic windows in the front. Windshields may have UV coatings added for protection against ultraviolet radiation. Although, this is typically unnecessary due to laminated safety glass absorbing the majority of UV-B. Whereas, the UV-B that remains, along with most UV-A gets absorbed by a PVB bonding layer.

The glass on a motorbike has the main purpose of shielding riders from wind, but less effectively than a car. On a racing or sports motorcycle, the main purpose is to reduce drag, providing an optimal aerodynamic design with his/her body, rather than shielding against wind when sitting up.

The Different Types of Auto Glass

The difference in glass used in your home and your windshield are very different. Unless your home has specially fabricated windows, when home window glass breaks it will shatter, creating very sharp pieces that can be harmful. Whereas, safety glass of car windows does not shatter, and designed to eliminate sharp pieces.

Auto glass is either laminated or tempered. Typically, auto glass deigned for the rear and front side windows and the rear window will be tempered glass, while laminated glass is used for windshields.

Laminated Glass

It is possible to trace laminated glass back to the 1920’s, as two glass sheets were placed together using a PVB (polyvinyl butyral) sheet between the layers. Then, fusing the layers together with extreme heat, the laminated safety glass was introduced.

Although laminated glass can break, it eliminates the shards from flying off in a collision. Laminated glass is fabricated to endure extreme impacts without shattering. Therefore, increasing passenger safety by eliminating potential injury of flying glass. Also, if a passenger is thrown into the windshield, laminated glass acts as a barrier.

Laminated glass is extensively used within the auto industry, but it may be applied for other applications where potential impact could occur. For this reason, many store and shop windows use laminated glass.

Tempered Glass

While the rear window and door windows can be created from laminated glass, there is less potential of human impact during a crash. For this reason, most models use tempered glass for these windows. Tempered auto glass is fabricated as a one-ply product, treated using a process of rapid heating and cooling. If tempered glass breaks, it shatters into thousands of non-sharp pebble like pieces, rather than sharp dangerous pieces.

Like with laminated glass, tempered glass can also be used outside of the auto industry. For instance, tempered glass is ideal for products such as cooking and baking dishes, cellphone screens, and sunglasses. Because of the fabrication process, tempered glass is strong and hard compared to untreated glass with the same thickness. Due to the overall structure of laminated glass, it is able to be repaired due to a small crack or chip, but when tempered glass breaks it will have to be replaced.

Auto Glass Repair Services In Chandler or Tempe, Arizona

TS Auto Glass offers auto glass repair in Tempe, Arizona for cars, trucks, SUVs and RV’s. No matter what kind of damage your vehicle’s glass has we can repair or replace it. We are the Phoenix Valley’s most meticulous auto glass repair company that offers service at our shop in Tempe, or mobile windshield replacement anywhere in the valley. When you want the best, choose T&S.

Call today to set up your repair or replacement appointment

(480) 345-8990 / (602) 667-3030 / (623) 878-5566