Windshield vs. Back Glass Replacement: Key Differences

Here at McConnell Auto Glass, we want to help you keep your vehicle as safe as possible. While most people understand that they need to care for their front windshield and get it repaired at the first sign of damage, fewer people use the same caution when it comes to their rear windshield, or back glass. In this article, we’ll go over some key differences between the front windshield and the back glass, and what they mean for replacement for either one.

• Sources of Damage-One key difference between the front windshield and the back glass is the sources of damage that tend to affect each. In general, damage to the front windshield occurs more frequently than damage to the rear one, which is why back glass replacement tends to be less common. However, your back glass can be damaged in certain situations, such as when debris from the road flies at it, when a car accident occurs, or when it’s shattered as part of a car burglary.
• Installation-The other main difference between back glass replacement and replacement for the front windshield has to do with the components involved. Back glass is usually tempered, which makes it more susceptible to cracking or shattering, unlike laminate. This is built so that in a case of a rollover accident or if a vehicle is in a body of water, the people inside can easily smash the glass and escape. Windshields, on the other hand, are built strong enough to take the first impact of your air bags and sustain your roof in a rollover accident. While this may not seem like a big difference, it’s something that mechanics definitely need to be prepared for, so you should always choose a team with experience in this process. Our team has been providing back glass replacement for many years, and we are also a preferred vendor for insurance companies, so you can count on us to get the job done right.