If you're looking for a replacement windshield, you'll have to choose between aftermarket glass and OEM glass, which is also known as factory glass.
OEM, or original equipment manufactured glass, is glass that's made by the same company that manufactured the windshield that was originally used on your car. Aftermarket glass, on the other hand, is made by other manufacturers who have no affiliation with the cars manufacturers.
However, these two options are far from equal. In fact, some experts argue that choosing the wrong option can put your life at risk. Here's what you should know before you seek auto glass repair:
The Pros and Cons of OEM Glass
Factory glass has many advantages, including:
Made to correct specifications: Because the glass is made by the original equipment manufacturer, all the specifications should be correct.
Reliability: The quality of the glass used is better and the specifications used are also correct, which means the glass should offer great reliability
Safety: Car windshields contribute to the structural integrity of the car body. Due to differences in thickness, OEM glass offers greater safety in case of an accident compared to aftermarket glass.
As would be expected, the main disadvantage of the OEM glass is that it is more expensive than aftermarket glass.
The Pros and Cons of Aftermarket Glass
Many car owners choose aftermarket glass for one main reason, it's significantly cheaper than OEM glass. It may also be more readily available in many cases.
However, there is a price to be paid for the lower cost of aftermarket glass. The disadvantages include:
Specifications may not be exact leading to improper fitting
The material used is not of the same quality as OEM glass
The safety of the glass is unproven
The reliability of the glass is unknown
Which is the Best Choice?
Going over the list of advantages and disadvantages, it's obvious that in almost all cases, choosing OEM glass for auto glass repair is the better option. The glass offers greater reliability and comes with a certain level of safety assurance. Aftermarket glass mainly offers a low price, and although, this is compelling to many people, it's a risky purchase when you can afford OEM glass.
Unfortunately, it's not unusual for insurance companies to try and compel car owners to choose aftermarket glass. As with all businesses, they're interested in spending as little as possible while getting the most returns. However, if you have the option of not accepting this offer, you should insist on OEM glass.
Share2 October 2018
After my car died and I was stranded on the freeway a few years back, I knew that I had to do what I could to avoid similar issues in the future. I began working hard to identify different issues with my car, so that I could prevent problems. I began working with a mechanic to get help, and he taught me a lot about going through my car and being able to evaluate different things that were problems. It was really interesting to explore the possibilities of different car failures, and before I knew it, I could tell when my car was struggling. Read more about the early signs of car trouble on my blog.