Auto glass quality
All glass is not the same
One of the biggest misunderstandings in the auto glass industry is that all glass is created equal and that all automotive glass is manufactured the same way.
This page covers the differences in automotive glass, both in quality and in the types of glass on your vehicle.
OEM vs aftermarket
OEM auto glass vs aftermarket glass
OEM auto glass is made by the same manufacturer that supplied your vehicle at the factory. Aftermarket glass is made by another manufacturer to fit your vehicle. Both must meet federal safety standards, but fit, clarity and how well the glass works with your vehicle's cameras can differ, which is why the brand matters.
When your car rolled off the assembly line, the brand of glass installed at the factory became its true O.E. or O.E.M. brand (original equipment manufacturer). In today's glass market it is easy to be misled by giveaways, fancy commercials and the fast-talking auto glass salesman at the car wash who insists your windshield is about to explode.
O.E. / O.E.M.
Original equipment
The brand your vehicle had from the factory. Only one brand of glass is O.E.M. for your car.
O.E.E.
Original equipment equivalent
Glass that meets the minimum federal standards. Shops selling low-quality parts often argue it is just as good as the O.E. brand. O.E.E. brands fall into the aftermarket category.
Not all aftermarket options are bad, but knowing the difference between O.E. and O.E.E. helps you avoid the lowest-quality brands.
Choosing a brand
Better glass doesn't have to cost more
In most cases you can find a decent brand of glass for little or no more than an inferior brand. Sometimes the higher-quality glass is actually less expensive. Some auto glass shops are so used to inferior glass that they don't realize the better brand might cost less.
In our shop, we see inferior brands with more distortion, more fit problems (leading to water and air leaks) and more lamination separation. When you call us for a quote, we search the Valley for the best brand available at the time.
Safety glass
Laminated vs tempered glass
All auto glass sold today is safety glass. The main difference is whether it is laminated or tempered. Both are made with safety in mind, but they are manufactured in very different ways.
Laminated glass
Windshields and some side and rear glass
Two pieces of glass are bonded together by a vinyl layer in the middle. The vinyl helps keep foreign objects from entering the vehicle in an accident, keeps broken glass from falling in on passengers, and can even help cushion the blow if a passenger's head hits the glass.
Tempered glass
Most door glass, back glass and sunroofs
The glass is heated to over 1,000°F and then cooled quickly, making it much stronger than it would be otherwise. If it breaks, it shatters into very small pieces to help limit injury.
The brands we use
Brands we use when available
- Carlite
- Pilkington (LOF)
- Guardian
- Mopar
- ApTech
- Carlex
- Sekurit
These are O.E. brands, but they are also considered “aftermarket” when installed in a vehicle that didn't use that brand at the factory. For example, Carlite is the O.E. brand for Ford, and Carlite also makes replacement glass for other vehicles. Carlite in a non-Ford vehicle is O.E. quality, but it is considered aftermarket.
The one thing to remember: use the best brand of glass available, and don't settle for sales pitches that push O.E.E. and claim all glass is the same. As a general rule, glass made in the U.S., Japan, Germany, Canada and even Mexico gives you the best chance of a quality piece of glass.
Look up the DOT number printed on your glass to see its country of origin:
Quality auto glass brand options are more limited today. If you take the time to research your options with this information in mind, you can still find a quality brand at a reasonable price. Or call Blue Chip Auto Glass and let us get you the quality glass you deserve.
OEM glass, on request
OEM windshield replacement in Phoenix
Want OEM glass? Just ask. On insurance jobs we request OEM or dealer glass when your vehicle requires it or when you ask for it, and for Teslas, OEM glass delivered direct from Tesla is our standard. Every piece of glass, OEM or not, is cleaned and inspected on our inspection stand before we schedule your installation.
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