Your vehicle’s windows serve an important role in the overall structural integrity of the car and serve as a protective barrier from outside elements. A broken car window can lead to poor insulation and a higher risk of theft. It can also weaken the structural integrity of your vehicle, affecting its performance on the road and your safety during accidents.
There are several factors that can cause your car window to break. Some of these factors include:
- Minor collisions put enough stress on the windows, causing them to break. This is especially true if the impact is near the window’s edge, where the glass is more vulnerable.
- Objects like rocks, hail, or debris kicked up by other vehicles can strike the glass, leading to chips or cracks. Over time, these can worsen and cause the window to shatter.
- Extreme temperature changes cause the glass to expand and contract, weakening it over time. Sudden exposure to intense heat or cold, like blasting hot air on a frosty window, can lead to breakage.
- Windows being broken due to deliberate acts of vandalism or during attempts to steal the vehicle or items inside it.
- In some cases, windows may break due to flaws in the glass or improper installation, which can leave the glass more susceptible to all the above stresses.
Regardless of how small or large the damage is, it’s important to find a temporary cover for a broken car window right away for the sake of your safety.
Best Way To Cover A Broken Car Window
It’s important to note that these temporary solutions are meant to provide a short-term fix to prevent further immediate damage or inconvenience and should not be used as a replacement for professional auto glass services.
These solutions often do not restore the original strength or safety features of the car window, which can be critical in the event of another impact or accident.
While these temporary measures won’t completely fix the issue with your windshield, they can potentially prevent small cracks from spreading and protect the interior of your car from debris, rain, and dirt. Here’s how to cover up a broken car window:
Using a Plastic Covering
A plastic covering provides a quick and efficient way to seal off the broken window from external elements. Additionally, it can also potentially reduce noise from entering through the broken window.
When choosing a plastic covering, opt for clear, heavy-duty plastic sheeting as it is relatively easy to handle and durable at the same time. It also won’t obscure driver visibility. Here are some steps on how to install a plastic covering:
- Clean the window frame and surrounding area to remove any debris and glass shards. This is an important step as this ensures the tape will stick better, resulting in a stronger steal.
- With strong, weather-resistant tape (like duct tape or gorilla tape), start taping one edge of the plastic to the top of the window frame.
- Pull the plastic tightly across the opening to ensure it is smooth and free of wrinkles or air pockets.
- Once the plastic is taut, tape the remaining edges securely. Make sure to overlap the plastic edges with tape to create a watertight seal.
- After securing the plastic, gently tug it in different areas to confirm it’s firmly attached.
- Check for any gaps in the tape where air or water could enter and seal these spots.
Window Shades or Covers
Covering your damaged auto glass with window shades or covers is a good temporary solution if you are planning on getting mobile auto repair services soon. Window shades and covers are particularly useful for overnight protection or during brief periods when the vehicle is parked.
Using window shades or covers is another straightforward method to manage a broken car window temporarily, particularly useful for overnight protection or during brief periods when the vehicle is parked. Here’s how to effectively use this method:
- Use car sun shades for light protection or cardboard as a sturdier alternative.
- Ensure sun shades or cardboard fit snugly within the window frame.
- Use painter’s tape to attach the edges of the shade or cardboard to the car’s interior frame to prevent movement.
- Regularly check the condition of the cover, especially in bad weather.
- Replace as needed to ensure continued protection of the car’s interior until you get your windows fixed by auto glass repair and replacement experts.
Auto Glass Tape
If you still need to use your vehicle with a damaged window and don’t have time to schedule a professional auto glass repair or replacement service, then sticking windshield tape on your damaged windows can be a practical temporary solution.
High-quality windshield tape holds together small cracks and chips, potentially preventing them from spreading across the window due to vibrations or changes in temperature.
- Before applying the tape, thoroughly clean the glass around the damaged area. Remove any dust, dirt, and glass fragments.
- Measure the length of tape you will need to cover the crack or chip. It’s advisable to cut a slightly longer piece of tape than the length of the damage to ensure full coverage.
- Carefully place the tape over the damaged area. Start from one end of the crack and press the tape down smoothly and firmly along the length of the damage. Avoid creating air bubbles or wrinkles, as these can reduce the effectiveness of the seal.
- Once the tape is in place, use a flat tool like a credit card or the back of a spoon to press down the tape.
- For larger cracks or areas with multiple chips, consider applying several layers of tape. Overlap the edges of the first piece with the next to create a more secure and waterproof seal.
- After applying, inspect the tape to make sure it covers all damaged areas completely. Smooth out any edges that may lift, and add more tape as needed.
Seek Professional Assistance
Auto glass replacements cost significantly higher compared to auto glass repairs. It’s best to perform regular maintenance and immediately fix small damages to extend the life of your auto glass, potentially avoiding the need for expensive replacements.
Although professional repairs seem more expensive initially compared to DIY fixes, they can save money in the long run. Professionals accurately assess and repair the damage, which prevents the small chips and cracks from expanding and requiring more costly full window replacements later.
Moreover, professional repairs usually come with warranties, offering peace of mind and protection against additional expenses from recurring issues.
