The windshield is the most important piece of glass on any vehicle. It protects against weather and airborne objects like stones that might be thrown into the air. The windshield also helps you see well in most kinds of weather conditions and keeps you comfortable while driving. The more you drive, the more likely your windshield will suffer damage, and it might be bad enough to require a new replacement. Keep reading to learn a few common reasons why you might need a windshield replacement on your vehicle.

1. Large Cracks

A damaged windshield weakens the structural integrity of the entire passenger cabin. According to AAA, a windshield accounts for about 30% of the passenger cabin’s structural integrity. It's especially important for helping to protect you and your passengers against serious injury in a rollover accident. If your windshield has a large crack, it's more prone to failure and less likely to hold up if the vehicle rolls or a heavy object lands on top of the roof.

Although you might have a small crack on the windshield that is initially harmless, they can often grow into big ones and compromise your windshield’s integrity. A badly cracked windshield also might deform the glass enough to make the windshield wipers less effective. When a crack is too big or is in your line of vision, it is best to replace the windshield with a new one.

2. Deeply Chipped Glass

Many windshields are damaged when another vehicle picks up a stone or another small and hard object with its tire and throws it into the windshield of the vehicle following behind it. Something also might fall off the back of a vehicle and strike your windshield. Whatever the cause might be, a deep chip in the windshield glass can be a problem. A shallow chip can be repaired, but a deep one cannot be solved by a simple repair. Replacing the windshield is the only real option when it is chipped so deeply.

3. Law Requirements

Even if you can tolerate an obstruction to your view, you might not have an option regarding a windshield replacement. As it turns out, state laws generally require the replacement of any windshield when the damage is within the driver’s line of sight. Many states also require replacement if a crack reaches or exceeds a minimum length, such as six inches or more. If a chip is too deep, many states also require the vehicle’s owner to replace the windshield. If you don’t, you could be ticketed and have to replace it within a designated timeframe to get the ticket and corresponding fine waived.

One of the reasons the law requires a clear windshield is that you need to be able to see clearly while driving. Even a small crack or stone chip might block part of the roadway and cause you to not see a pedestrian or a motorcyclist and run into them. You need to make sure your windshield enables fully clear vision to help you drive safely. When the damage makes that more difficult, a windshield replacement is the best solution to restore your full and clear vision while driving. Save yourself the hassle and get a replacement as soon as possible!

4. Outside Moisture

A damaged windshield might enable moisture to enter the cabin, making it harder to see out of the windshield at times. Moisture inside the passenger cabin can cause the inside of the windshield to frost over. This can be easy to clear off with a scraper when it's on the exterior of your vehicle, but it's a much tougher task when it's on the inside. Whether you scrape the frost or let it melt, you'll then be in danger of water damage on the inside of your vehicle!

A damaged windshield also might lead to pesky fog that won’t go away unless you run the defroster. Your rear or side windows will also be effected, increasing the likelihood of an accident. Don't take any chances — invest in a windshield replacement!

Whatever the cause might be, severely damaged glass requires windshield replacement service. You can call or visit Aaron Auto Glass today to schedule service for your vehicle and get a free quote. We offer a lifetime warranty and same-day service for all your auto glass needs!