Auto glass replacement is an industry as old as cars themselves. Early in the Henry Ford era of car manufacturing, windows and windshields were made from the same glass found in houses. Modern technology has made auto glass safer and more convenient for car owners.
History of Auto Glass
In 1917 the Henry Ford corporation was sued for their incredibly dangerous windshield glass which was subject to breaking into small shards during an accident. In addition to safety issues, this unenforced glass was impossible to repair and expensive to constantly replace if chipped or cracked. To curtail any further catastrophe, Ford began laminating all of their glass to eliminate uncontrollable shattering, a technology borrowed from the French in 1919.
Auto Glass Innovations
Glass lamination was the earliest safety advancement in the auto glass industry. These new windshields were comprised of two layers of laminated glass separated by an inner cellulose layer which holds the glass in place if shattered during an accident. The durable nature of this style of glass also meant replacement was less necessary due to slight chips or cracks. Modern windshields are laminated with polyvinyl butyral, while side windows and mirrors are made with tempered glass.
Installation and Auto Glass Replacement
Installation is a big factor in whether or not an auto glass replacement will be successful. Butyl is the bonding adhesive predominant in the auto glass industry until the 1970s. Due to a shift in car manufacturing towards lighter vehicles with weaker roof support, butyl was replaced with the significantly stronger urethane adhesive.
Mobile Auto Glass Replacement
Mobile auto glass replacement is a growing trend in which companies will do installations and repairs on site or even come to the customer's home. Some cases of windshield damage can render a car immobile. This service provides an alternative to driving with a broken windshield or window to the repair shop under rainy or dangerous conditions.
