Which do you need?
Repair when we can. Replace when you need to. We do both — and we’ll tell you straight which one is the right call for your damage.
Repair when we can. Replace when you need to. We do both.
Most windshield damage falls into one of two buckets — small enough to repair, or big enough that you need a new piece of glass. The hard part is knowing which bucket your damage is in, and most people would rather not guess. Below is a plain-English guide. If you want a faster answer, text a photo to (716) 548-2683 and we’ll tell you straight.
When repair works
- ·Damage smaller than a quarter
- ·Damage outside the driver line of sight
- ·Chips and short cracks that are not at the edge of the windshield
- ·Cracks up to roughly 24 inches in a single, clean line
- ·Damage that has not been contaminated by car wash soap, rain, or weeks of road grime
Most chip repairs take about 30 minutes from the moment we arrive. Vacuum-injected optical resin fills the impact, UV-cured solid in seconds, polished flush. You drive away immediately. No cure time. Lifetime warranty.
When replacement is the right call
- ·Cracks longer than 24 inches
- ·Damage in the driver line of sight (even small damage, because the repair leaves a faint mark)
- ·Edge cracks longer than 3 inches — the glass loses structural strength once a crack reaches the edge
- ·Multiple cracks crossing each other
- ·Structural damage — cracks that go all the way through the laminated glass
- ·Heavily contaminated damage where resin cannot bond properly anymore
Replacement uses a new piece of OEM or aftermarket glass, urethane adhesive, and on most 2017+ vehicles a camera recalibration. We handle all of it. Lifetime warranty on the install.
Time and experience
A chip repair runs about 30 minutes total, with no cure time afterwards — you drive away immediately, the resin is UV-cured solid in seconds. A full windshield replacement runs about 1.5 to 2 hours for the install itself, plus another 1 to 2 hours for ADAS camera recalibration on newer vehicles. We recommend waiting roughly an hour after a replacement before driving so the urethane adhesive has time to set up.
If you have a busy day, repair is usually invisible in your schedule. Replacement is a half-day commitment. That alone is a reason to repair when repair will hold.
Insurance
Most comprehensive auto policies cover windshield repair, often with no out-of-pocket cost — insurers know repair prevents the much more expensive replacement. Replacement is also usually covered under comprehensive, but your deductible typically applies, which can range from a few hundred dollars to a couple thousand depending on your policy.
Coverage varies by carrier and policy. Ask us about coverage when you send your photo — we will help you figure out what your policy is likely to do before you book.
ADAS recalibration
If your vehicle has lane-keep assist, adaptive cruise control, forward collision warning, or any other camera-based safety system — and most 2017 and newer vehicles do — a windshield replacement requires the camera to be recalibrated after the new glass is installed. The camera mounts to the inside of the windshield and its angle changes slightly with the new glass.
We handle ADAS calibration in-house. It typically takes 1 to 2 hours after the physical replacement and we coordinate it so you only have to deal with one appointment.
How we quote
Send a photo of the damage to (716) 548-2683. We text back with an honest assessment in under 60 seconds — whether repair will hold, whether replacement is the right call, and what insurance typically does for damage like yours. Free quote, no pressure — just an honest assessment of what your damage actually needs.
Common questions
- How do I know if my windshield needs replacement?
- Replacement is the safer call when a crack is longer than 24 inches, runs from one edge to another, sits in the driver line of sight, or there are multiple cracks crossing. Edge cracks longer than 3 inches usually need replacement too because they compromise structural strength.
- Can a crack be repaired or must it be replaced?
- Most cracks up to 24 inches can be repaired if they are not on the edge of the glass and not in the driver line of sight. Send a photo and we will tell you straight whether repair will hold or whether replacement is the right call.
- How long does each take?
- A chip repair runs about 30 minutes with no cure time afterwards. A full replacement runs about 1.5 to 2 hours, plus ADAS camera recalibration on newer vehicles, which adds another 1 to 2 hours. You can drive away immediately after a repair but should wait roughly an hour after a replacement before driving.
- Is replacement always more expensive than repair?
- Almost always, yes. Repair is faster, uses less material, and most comprehensive auto policies cover it. Replacement involves more labor, the cost of the new glass, and on most newer vehicles a calibration step. Ask us about coverage before booking either one.
- Will my insurance cover it?
- Most comprehensive auto policies cover windshield repair, often with no out-of-pocket cost because repair prevents the more expensive replacement. Replacement is usually covered too, but your deductible typically applies. Coverage varies by carrier and policy, so ask us about coverage when you send your photo.
Not sure? Send a photo.
We’ll tell you straight whether to repair or replace.