Many car owners often take note of characteristics like colour, style, and model when it comes to cars. Moreover, even when purchasing a car, you search for features like mileage, fuel economy, seats, and engine power.



How much do you know about your auto glass? We need to be made aware of the crucial part auto glass plays in the effectiveness and performance of our vehicles. Auto glass is among a car's most crucial and frequently disregarded components. Every year, studies and development are conducted to further the development of auto glass. So, it's essential to grasp the fundamentals because those auto glasses are crucial to keeping you and your passengers safe while driving. Here are facts about auto glass you have yet to find out.

1. Windshields are Made of Laminated Glass

Your auto glass isn't just one piece of glass in one piece. It is made of laminated safety glass, consisting of two pieces sandwiched between polyvinyl butyral (PVB) sheets. In car accidents, the interior layer of the PBV protects the windshield from shattering. Laminated glass is generally known to be shatterproof glass. It was created accidentally when a French man named Benedictus dropped a glass flask filled with collodion. Instead of shattering like typical glass, the glass flask didn't shatter but retained its initial shape.



Windshields do not break easily during accidents or storms because the intermediate layer holds them together. Therefore, the plastic coating is a barrier to keep it from shattering. This lowers the possibility of scratches or other severe injuries from coming into contact with broken glass. For this reason, Modern cars now come equipped with laminated glass as standard safety equipment. Ordinary window glass, as opposed to laminated glass, was used in early automobiles; however, after several collisions, it was substituted with more complex glass in the twentieth century.

2. A Woman Invented Windshield Wipers 

Several people had been working on a car window cleaner. Mary then created a prototype comprised of wooden wipers with spring-loaded rubber blades. To release the arm and clear snow, rain, and debris, they were fastened to a lever inside the car that the driver could draw. Wiper blades were created and patented by American scientist Mary Anderson. Mary Anderson was a successful real estate developer from Alabama who was awarded the patent for what she called at the time "a window cleaning device", which later became known as wiper blades. In 1923, Raymond Anderson invented alternating wipers with variable speed and cadence.

3. Auto glass repair has the most common Auto Insurance Claim

Another fun fact about auto glass is that auto glass repair is one of the most common types of auto insurance claims. An estimated 30% of all car insurance claims are from damaged auto glass. Whether due to hail damage, chips and cracks, or debris on the road, your insurance company may pay for your windshield repair. Because windshields are an essential safety feature, many car insurance policies will partially cover auto glass repair or replacement costs.



At Wollongong AutoGlass, we offer a full range of auto glass replacements and repairs in Wollongong. If you need windshield replacement or repair in Wollongong, our technicians specialize in using the most effective windshield repair processes. However, look through your policy before attempting to get your insurer to cover the cost if you're trying to figure out how to pay for replacement or repair service on your cracked windshield, back window, or side windows. If you have comprehensive car insurance, your policy should cover the cost of repairing the damage or replacing the glass.

4. Auto glass is vital for a vehicle's structural integrity

The windscreen serves more purposes than just shielding and protecting you from the weather, elements and flying road debris while travelling. It is considered safety equipment and accounts for about 30% of the structural support of a car, along with airbags and seatbelts. So if your Auto glass isn't in good condition, your safety could be at risk. Auto airbags use the windshield to trigger correctly because it assists in positioning the airbag appropriately upon impact. Glass's strength can be compromised by even the most minor chip or crack, which will have a negative impact on the vehicle's general structural stability. To stay safe, attend to chips and cracks on your auto glass.

5. Rear Windows are made of Tempered glass

The same glass material you use to shield your smartphone's screen is used in your car's rear windshield, and this glass is known as tempered glass. Tempered glass is heated and quickly cooled during production to give it additional strength, but despite being hard, it can still break when under pressure. If it does split, it will most likely break into small pieces that won't hurt anyone. The transition from laminated glass to tempered glass on the side and back windows of the car was ongoing in the 1930s. When tempered glass breaks, the internal tension and external compression cause the glass to fracture into small, harmless pieces. Tempered glass gained such widespread acceptance that it is now used in various sectors, from tables to bulletproof glass. Its impact has altered the course of history.

6. Glass is Getting Smarter

Technology is advancing, and the Auto glass industry is still catching up as auto glass continues to improve throughout the ages. Auto glass is a crucial part of vehicles, and car manufacturers have made it easier to repair small cracks with resin. The car industry has improved auto glass, adding special UV filters and tints to protect interiors. Intelligent vehicles, a once-futuristic idea, are now a reality, and auto glass is following suit. In the future, windshields might have digital information like directions and maps for drivers to access while travelling quickly.

7. Car Windows Contribute to Advanced Driving To Advanced Safety System Operation 

Auto glass is also getting better and safer. Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS), now found in most vehicles, warn drivers of other cars, road hazards, and obstacles. The device makes use of sensors, mainly in the windshield. This implies that the car glass repair sector will also change. Now, mechanics will calibrate technology to ensure that the safety features of "smart glass" are functioning correctly to protect drivers on the road instead of merely repairing or replacing windshields.

Conclusion

Amazingly, auto glass has transformed the world in ways we can't even imagine. Glass serves various valuable functions, such as a windshield to shield us from the weather, insects, and other elements of nature. Nevertheless, ultimately it sustains damage and demands replacement or repair. So impress your family and friends with these fascinating auto glass facts, and regularly check your car's glass for chips or cracks and have it fixed or changed at Wollongong AutoGlass! to keep it in top shape.

ABOUT WOLLONGONG AUTOGLASS

We are the best Auto glass company In Wollongong. Our company has been in operation for more than 20 years, and our team consists of experts with experience and ability. A cracked windshield poses a significant risk to one's protection. We are dedicated to providing swift services at affordable prices. Make an appointment right away.