Although often overlooked, auto glass is an integral structural part of most cars and protects the occupants from the elements and debris while offering the driver a view of the surroundings. Auto glass has evolved over the last century to become stronger, safer and more affordable.

Early auto glass

In some of the first mass – market vehicles, glass was a luxury item. The cars were sold standard without a windshield and often without doors or side windows also. In the 1920s, cars became faster and more common. As new drivers complained of wind and debris, manufacturers began to gradually offer windshield as standard equipment. New methods of manufacturing flat glass Made Simple, affordable clear glasses and soon most of the cars were equipped with glass for driving, even in bad weather.

Safety glass

In late 1920, safety glass revolutionized previous notions of auto glass. By thin layers of panes of glass with a thin adhesive layer laminated plastic, glass manufacturers produce not only could withstand without breaking a stronger impact, but would not produce dangerous glass fragments when it broke. Safety glass posed a significant safety advantage over glass plate, and automakers quickly adopted laminated windshields. In the 1960s, the US government began to require the use of laminated windshields in all new cars.

Other types of auto glass

Since the introduction of safety glass in 1920, automotive glass has continued to improve. New chemical compounds for both the glass itself and the layer of plastic sheeting have resulted in auto glass that is more transparent, tear – resistant, resistant to dangerous and better glare in isolation inside the car outside temperature and noise. Sheet glass, tempered glass and plate glass have been used in various combinations of layers as automotive engineers take advantage of newly developed materials manufacturing methods cost savings. In recent decades, most states have also passed laws regulating window tinting to ensure that drivers who want tinting windows for privacy or to avoid excessive sunlight are still able to see their surroundings safely.

Aerodynamics

Earlier auto glass came in simple and flat panels that match the square body panels of the cars of the time. After World War II, the US auto industry grew rapidly and introduced many new designs for cars. Among them were the cars with more rounded aerodynamic bodies. Curved glass became a common part of automotive design in the 1950s, both for aesthetics and to reduce friction produced by a moving car. Wind tests led designers to find the ideal ways for windscreens, side windows and rear windows curved.

Replacement and repair

When auto glass breaks must be repaired or replaced soon. Cracked glass can quickly become weakened, and large cracks may interfere with the driver’s visibility. While most broken glass must be replaced, low – cost methods for filling small cracks or chips with a polymer resin clear are becoming more common. In some states with mandatory annual safety inspections, cars can not be certified as safe when broken glass is present.