The glass in your car is more complicated than most people realize. Your vehicle actually has different types of auto glass in it that serve different purposes.
Secret #1: The Windows in Your Car Have Different Types of Glass
All the glass in your car is not the same type of glass. Your front windshield is made from laminated glass. Laminated glass is made by taking two different pieces of glass and fusing them together with a vinyl liner in between the two pieces of glass.
The purpose of the vinyl liner between the glass is to provide the glass with structural support so that if your vehicle rolls over, your windshield will stay intact, or if something hits your windshield, it will not shatter when you are driving. When laminated glass breaks, it is designed to stay together in one piece.
Your side windows and rear windshield, in contrast, are made from tempered glass. Tempered glass is designed so that when it breaks, it shatters into really small pieces. Your side windows and rear windshield are made from tempered glass so that if you need to break the windows to escape from your vehicle, you would be able to do so.
Secret #2: Your Front Windshield Provides Accident Protection
Your front windshield does more than just allow you to see out of the front of your vehicle and protect you from small flying objects. Your front windshield is also an important overall vehicle safety feature.
Your front windshield is designed to help support the weight of your vehicle's roof, keeping your roof from collapsing in an accident. The windshield can also lessen the damage from a front-end accident. Your windshield helps keep you safe and prevents you from getting crushed in an accident.
Secret #3: Even Small Damage Compromises the Integrity of Your Windshield
Finally, it is important to note that even small damage to your windshield can compromise its integrity. As stated above, your windshield is an important safety component on your vehicle.
If you have a crack running through the windshield, the windshield is not as strong as it should be, which in turn means your windshield cannot provide the protection it should if you get into an accident. That is why it is so important to get your windshield fixed right away.
The glass in your side windows is designed to more easily break in case you need to escape your vehicle via the window. The glass in your windshield doesn't break as easily, as it is designed to protect you in the event of an accident. If your windshield ever gets damaged, be sure to get it fixed or replaced right away.
Did you know that until the 1500s, most glass that was made had a cloudy look? Clear, colorless glass wasn't invented until the 1500s, and it didn't become popular until the 1700s when people started using it for windows. Clear glass is very common today, but not all of our glass is clear. We also use a good amount of colored glass and clouded glass as a population. And glass has a wider array of uses than ever before. There are entire buildings made from glass, marbles and other toys made from glass, and even fake eyeballs made from this hard material. Learn more about glass as you peruse this website, which we hope serves as an excellent resource.