Car windows often take a beating, both on and off the road. They can get scratched, chipped, and sometimes smashed by rogue pebbles on the highway, a baseball from a neighborhood kid, or severe weather. Here are tips on when to repair or replace a car window, and estimated costs for each type of service.
Every vehicle is equipped with a variety of windows:
Over time, car windows will acquire scratches and sometimes tiny cracks in different spots. Some may not be noticeable at first. If the window gets a large number of scratches and cracks, the blemishes will cause reflections and glares that can limit visibility while driving, which can be dangerous.
Knowing when to replace the car window depends on two primary considerations:
Sometimes it’s hard to tell if tiny chips and smaller cracks are fixable or if a complete window replacement is necessary.
Minor chips or cracks should be repaired as soon as possible to prevent the crack from spreading further. Even a small crack that doesn't initially spread may expand significantly once the temperature changes.
Cracks shorter than three inches can be repaired with an epoxy repair kit to stop it from spreading. But if the crack has reached the edge of the glass, goes too deep, or it’s already been repaired a few times, it should be replaced.
Side and rear windows are often made of tempered glass, which is more likely than laminated glass to break into fragments once cracked or chipped. A replacement will be needed to prevent the glass from completely shattering and causing other issues.
Replacing a car window can cost anywhere from $200 to $500, depending on vehicle type and the labor costs of the service facility. Windshields are typically the most expensive to replace because they are so large.
Here are some sample replacement costs in Dallas for different vehicles:
Classic and exotic cars or any car with custom glass could cost double. Even those tiny, triangular side windows are pricey to fix because of the tricky installation and less availability since they are not made in the same quantities as they make windshields.
Vehicles with a higher trim level may have some features that drive up the cost of replacement. For example, rain sensing wipers may need to be replaced when swapping out the windshield, which would add to the overall cost.
The same cost issue factors in for the Advanced Driver Assistance Systems found on most new cars. ADAS technologies include a variety of features like lane departure warning, forward collision warning, adaptive cruise control, and automatic emergency braking. These systems rely on sensors and cameras mounted behind the windshield or in the windshield. When the windshield is replaced, the ADAS sensors and cameras have to be recalibrated to make sure they are working. This process requires specialized equipment and expertise, which quickly adds to the overall cost of replacement.
Window replacement costs could be similar from place to place, but often this isn’t the case. Many assume local glass repair shops cost the most, however it’s typically dealerships that are the most expensive. It is typically the dealership that will be the most expensive. Dealerships know how much insurance will cover and that will be the price. This may seem fine since the cost is the deductible, but by calling around for other prices it’s likely a different shop will have a price that’s less than the deductible.
In Texas, a windshield deductible is almost always $500. Yet you can get a windshield replaced for just $250 – half the cost of the standard deductible. By making a few phone calls, one could save $250 and the hassle of filing an insurance claim.
Customers can also negotiate with window replacement companies. Let a company know what another is charging and see if they can beat it.
It can sometimes be worth factoring in glass replacement for overall cost before purchasing certain vehicles. For example, the Ford Bronco’s front windshield is flat and vertical, which means it lacks the proper angle to help deflect rocks. Despite being laminate glass, it acquires cracks rather easily.
Quick tip: When looking at car reviews before purchasing, see if people mention replacing a window more than once. That’s quite telling.
Another example is the Prius Prime with a special upper back window that costs around $1,250 to replace should it break. If the lower back window breaks as well, that will require two window replacements.
Some new cars have massive sunroofs that take up the entire roof of the car. Severe weather like a bad hailstorm can crack the entire sunroof, making for a very expensive repair.
Quick tip: Any time the costs are adding up too fast, filing an insurance claim and paying the deductible can often save a lot of money.
Cracked windows are more than just an eyesore—they’re a safety hazard and can affect the overall integrity of the window. Whether it’s the front windshield, side windows, or that tiny vent glass, it is better to fix it before it becomes dangerous.
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