A cracked windshield can obstruct your field of view and make driving hazardous. Depending on the damage, you’ll need a windshield repair or replacement. If there is no evident cause of the damage, there are several factors that could have caused a crack to appear seemingly out of nowhere. Below are some causes of windshield damage.

What Can Cause a Cracked Windshield?

1. Changes In Temperature

Sudden or extreme changes in temperature can cause the glass to crack, as the molecules expand with heat and contract with cold. Because the edges of the glass are thinner and closer to the hot or cold metal of the car, they will warp faster than the middle of the windshield, putting stress on it and causing damage.

Parking your car in an air-conditioned garage and then driving outside where the temperature is vastly different can cause cracking. Blasting your AC or heat on the windshield during extreme temperatures can also cause unexpected damage.

2. Stress or Pressure on the Glass

Pressure changes can cause you to need a windshield repair, too. High winds, rapid acceleration, or resting heavy bags on the windshield can all apply pressure to the glass, causing it to crack.

3. Improper Installation

Windshield installation has to be precise, or problems can arise. If your windshield has been replaced by a questionable shop or was installed by an inexperienced technician, its fit could be too tight or too loose.

If the new auto glass is too large for the space, it will be under a lot of pressure that could eventually cause it to splinter. A loose windshield, on the other hand, will suffer cracks from high vibrations when driving.

4. Poor Quality Glass

A low-quality glass could be too weak, too thin, or already have existing imperfections that make it more likely to break. A minuscule crack or chip that was too small to see could turn into a large crack if water freezes and expands inside the imperfection. Drastic pressure or temperature changes could also cause further damage.

Whatever the cause of your cracked windshield, trust the certified technicians at Consumer Glass in O’Fallon, MO, to provide a high-quality and prompt windshield replacement or repair. Their technicians each boast roughly 20 years of experience. This locally owned and operated business also works with most major insurances to ensure your claim is covered. Learn more about their services online. Call (636) 397-6800 to schedule a windshield replacement or repair.