Windshield replacement opinion?

[battletech]

Sad to say I have to replace my front windshield. Got a stone chip that grew to a 7 in crack. Insurance has okayed replacement. Should I go with OEM windshield or an aftermarket one? After checking out a few shop the aftermarket ones state same quality. I'm sort of surprised at the quality of the OEM windshield. That's why I'm asking?

[gdanaher]

I'm not sure I understand what youmean by the quality of the oem glass. If it takes a rock, it is going to break. If your insurance company will pay for Toyota branded glass and you can get it, get the real thing. In my experience it doesn't matter much but is nice to have the original stuff there so the labels tend to match.

[battletech]

I meant the quality of the the aftermaket windshield compared to the OEM? My insurance comp recommended Apple auto glass. Anyone have experience with that company in Canada

[Sallyspal]

Originally Posted by battletech

I meant the quality of the the aftermaket windshield compared to the OEM? My insurance comp recommended Apple auto glass. Anyone have experience with that company in Canada

I don't know about your car, but on my Camry Hybrid the windshield is made of a glass and plastic "sandwich" that is supposed to provide greater sound insulation. You might want to compare the properties of the OEM glass with the replacement windshield before making your decision.

[El Tano]

Originally Posted by Sallyspal

I don't know about your car, but on my Camry Hybrid the windshield is made of a glass and plastic "sandwich" that is supposed to provide greater sound insulation. You might want to compare the properties of the OEM glass with the replacement windshield before making your decision.

Sallyspal, all the cars come with laminated glass (sandwich) which consists of
two glasses plates and in-between, a plastic foil made
of polyvinil butyral. Occurring an accident, the glass
will not "explode", but the small pieces will remain
attached over the plastic surface. This is called
"laminated glass".

The hybrid comes with an acoustic-dampening windshield, which keeps passengers away from the high-frequency noises that can emanate from the electric power system and I don't know how is made, but I guess that it should have something different or maybe thicker...

And Battletech since money is not an issue I would go with OEM and maybe considering the one from the Hybrid..

[battletech]

thanks for the info i was going leaning towards the oem

[Joe B]

Go with an aftermarket windshield.
Cheaper cost and all windshield companies have to follow federal guidelines on safety and such.
When I replaced a windshield on my Corolla the dealer wanted $600.
I had a local shop franchise come to my house and replace my windshield in my driveway for $185.
If you go through insurance get the OEM.
If you have a deductible and don't want your insurance rate to rise(if so) go with afterrmarket.
All windshield quality is the same.
Thin windshield to lessen weight which will rock chip and crack easier than years ago.

[BB_GT01]

We had to replace the windshield on our 07 Camry LE. The OEM price would have been about $1000 and the aftermarket was about $250. There is no difference between the two, except that it says PPG (or whatever) in the bottom corner, instead of Toyota. Even the shading details around the top edge and mirror are the same.

I am a little suspicious of the quality of the Toyota glass. We too 2 small rock hits and had star cracks on each. Similar, minor, hits on previous cars rarely caused a mark. Felt a hit on the new glass and didn't get a mark, either.

Make sure that the aftermarket glass is top quality - like PPG. Don't pay for the Toyota label.

P.S. Ours was covered by insurance, too. I just couldn't stomach ANYONE paying $750 more for the same windshield. I'm happy with the result.

[battletech]

Good to here that you had no problems with the PPG windshield. You don't have any leaking or wind noise or fitting issues? I too was wondering about the toyota quality glass. Are you sure your windshield was PPG because thats what i'll recommend

[thoughthard]

I have had good results using PPG, Carlite, Pilkington.

I would stay away from foriegn or odd brands. I have had a few of those. The first rock that hit those cracked them.