Modern windshields are made of laminated safety glass that consists of two layers of glass sandwiched around a layer of polyvinyl butyrate (PBV). When damaged, sharp pieces of glass tend to adhere to the PVB layer thereby reducing the danger to vehicle occupants from flying glass. The PVB layer in laminated glass also exerts a cushioning effect to protect and keep occupants inside the vehicle during collisions.

Tempered, or heat strengthened glass, is also considered safety glass. Tempered glass is often used in vehicle side and back windows. When broken, tempered glass crumbles into rounded glass pebbles.

Laminated safety glass can normally be repaired; tempered glass cannot.

Windshields have evolved into complex, engineered glass systems with features such as: heating elements to melt ice; coatings to repel ultra-violet radiation; shade bands; radio & telephone antennas; satellite uplinks; heads-up holographic instrument displays; or, sensors to activate windshield wipers or close convertible tops. The cost of the modern windshield has steadily increased with increased performance expectations.

Windshield repair is a less costly but an effective alternative to replacing damaged windshields. NOVUS invented windshield repair and has repaired over 20 million windshields since 1972. Stated simply, windshield repair is accomplished by injecting a specially formulated resin into the damaged area. The resin is then cured and polished to restore structural strength and clarity to the glass.

– Courtesy of Auto Glass by Novus.