Can Extreme Heat Cause Your Auto Glass to Break?

Summer is a time of fun and adventure for most car owners. But that same summer sun which makes trips to the coast and road trips so much fun can also be a risk to your car's glass windows and windshield.  How does summer sun and heat affect auto glass? What can you do to protect it? And what should you do if you get heat-related glass damage? Here are some important answers to your questions.

Can Sun and Heat Damage Auto Glass?

Have you heard stories about auto glass breaking or even shattering due to extreme heat? If so, don't panic about your own windshield. Modern auto glass is designed to resist damage even from high temperatures. When installed correctly, its setting provides some space between the metal and glass so that the glass can expand as it warms up. In addition, the windshield is designed to crack without shattering. 

Most expansion and contraction due to extreme temperatures stays within safety limits. However, there is still some danger of glass breaking under less than ideal conditions. The heat alone may not be enough to damage a window or windshield, but it can exacerbate existing problems.

Chips, debris, or cracks that already affect the glass create a weak point. That weak point can break under the stress of further expanding and contracting cycles. This is often referred to as a stress crack. Such cracks may be small, but they're often significant and not easily repaired. 

How Can You Prevent Heat Damage?

The first step to preventing heat damage is to make sure your glass is correctly installed. Professional installation creates the right conditions for the window to weather all the normal wear and tear of both summer and winter.

Next, don't ignore small problems in the glass. Rock chips and small cracks weaken the glass and make it more susceptible to heat cracking, so don't put off fixing them even when the weather is nice. 

You can also take some preventative steps throughout the year to minimize risk from cracking. When returning to your car on hot days, don't immediately put the air conditioner on blast. The sudden temperature change from hot to cold can cause stress cracks. Instead, let it cool down more naturally by dissipating hot air through open windows first. Similarly, wash the car with lukewarm water to avoid a cold blast on hot windows. 

Look for other ways to keep the temperature both inside and outside the glass from rising too high too fast. Parking in the shade, using car shades, and cracking the window when appropriate are easy habits that protect the entire vehicle from heat damage. Can't park the car in your garage or under a car port? This is a good time to clear out that space if you’re able so the car stays in moderate conditions. 

Finally, minimize extreme temperature changes during the freezing winter as well. On cold, icy days, using hot water to melt ice or to wash the car creates another sudden temperature change. Small stress cracks that occur during bad weather may be hidden from view during the fall, winter, and spring. By the time the dog days of summer arrive, the cracks are primed to cause big trouble. 

What Should You Do After Heat Damage?

What if your glass has cracked or appears to have taken damage from the sun? Have it checked out as soon as possible. As mentioned, these weak spots create conditions that cause cracking. Once stress cracks appear, the windshield's safety is compromised. The good news is that most insurance companies cover these glass replacements, so you don't need to ignore the problem and hope for the best. 

Choose quality replacement after any glass damage. Cutting corners during installation sets up your new glass to fail. Look for signs of good installation, including the removal of all parts to ensure a good fit, trimming off the old adhesive, priming the car's body, inspection of the new glass, and using high quality adhesive. 

Where Can You Learn More?

Does your car or truck have minor damage that might lead to bigger problems as the outside temperatures rise? Are you concerned that you may not have had quality installation of your existing windshield? Has heat already affected the glass, but you haven't had the time to repair it yet? Worried about insurance coverage? No matter what your summer sun concerns, start by meeting with the auto glass pros at MS Glass Outlet.

Our skilled team has assisted Washington and Oregon drivers with all their auto glass needs for more than 25 years. Call or visit one of our many Pacific Northwest locations to get answers to your pressing questions or learn how we can help you. Then, you and your family can enjoy summer on the road with one less worry.