-There you are, casually driving in New Orleans worrying about dodging potholes
when, THUNK! Something hit your windshield and caused a crack in the top right
corner. Because it is small, you decide to not worry about it right now; it is not
that big of a deal. Fast-forward a couple months and it is covering half of your
windshield. Now you need to get it replaced before the problem spreads further.
When looking to replace it, you realise that there are actually different types of
windshield glass to choose from. How do you decide what to go with? Don’t
worry, in this post we will go over the two types of glass you can choose from and
which one you should go with based on your needs.
There are two types of glass that you will choose from when you get your
windshield replaced: OEM auto glass and Aftermarket auto glass. OEM stands
for Original Equipment Manufacturor. OEM is glass that was made and produced
by the same manufacturing company that made your vehicle originally. It is made
with the idea that you are basically getting the same windshield installed in your
car that was put in when the car was originally made. There are no distinctions in
quality from your old windshield and that of a new OEM windshield. Aftermarket
auto glass is essentially the opposite. It is glass that was either made overseas
or by a manufacturing company that was not the original manufacturer.
Aftermarket auto glass is usually of lower quality than the OEM glass, but it
typically costs less to install.
Windshields are integral to the structure of a vehicle, as it keeps the roof of the
car from caving in. In the event of an accident, having the right windshield for
your car can make all the difference. In terms of which type of glass you should
go with for your new windshield, it is not a clear cut choice. There are some cars
that will operate perfectly with the Aftermarket auto glass, while some cars are
made by manufacturers that highly suggest using only OEM auto glass. How do
you know what will work better for your vehicle? Well, OEM glass is typically a
better fit for your car in terms of make and model, which in turn makes it a little bit
safer. Aftermarket auto glass is still safe to install and for use in your car, it is just
not of the same quality as OEM glass. The other distinction between the two
types of glass is price. OEM glass usually costs more to install than Aftermarket
glass, sometimes double the price. Another thing to keep in mind is to check with
your insurance about their policies, as some insurance companies do not cover
OEM glass. So, if you are looking for the option that is more affordable, go with
the Aftermarket glass. If you are looking for higher quality and do not mind paying
more for it, OEM is the way to go.
If you are looking to get your windshield replaced, contact us at Apex Auto Glass,
(504) 421-1105, and we will help you get what’s right for you in a friendly and professional manner.