Auto Glass Replacement Basics

Understanding the fundamentals of auto glass replacement is essential for every vehicle owner. Auto glass, including windshields, side windows, quarter panels, vents, and rear windows, plays a critical role in maintaining your vehicle’s safety. At AGS Auto Glass & Calibrations, we use only premium-quality auto glass that meets or exceeds Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS), ensuring you receive the best in both quality and safety.

Types of Auto Glass

There are two main types of safety glass used in auto glass replacements:

Laminated Auto Glass:

Laminated glass consists of two layers of glass with a polyvinyl butyral (PVB) sheet in between. Primarily used for windshields, laminated glass provides extra protection by holding the glass together during accidents or impacts.

Tempered Auto Glass:

Tempered glass, commonly used for side windows and back glass, undergoes a rapid heating and cooling process. This treatment makes it four to five times stronger than regular glass, ensuring it shatters into small, harmless pieces if broken.

Windshield Colors and Shades

Most laminated windshields now feature a shade band across the top to reduce sun glare, enhancing driver visibility. These shade bands come in colors such as blue, green, or gray, typically matching the vehicle’s interior. Note that tempered auto glass does not have this feature since the shading is added to the vinyl layer of laminated glass.

Auto Glass Monogram

Every piece of auto glass includes a monogram (or "bug"), which serves as an identifying mark. This monogram includes:

• Manufacturer’s trademark and logo
• Plant code (where the glass was produced)
• Type of glass (laminated or tempered)
• Month and year of production
• Model number
• Department of Transportation (DOT) certification number

To learn more about your glass's manufacturer, you can visit the DOT database and enter the two- or three-digit number from your glass part.

“AS” Designations

"AS" designations on your auto glass indicate the amount of light transmission through the glass, a crucial safety feature regulated by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI). Common designations include:

• AS-1: Applies to all auto glass, including windshields
• AS-2: All auto glass except windshields
• AS-3: Privacy glass used behind the driver’s door
• AS-14: Anti-lacerative windshields (less common today)

By choosing AGS Auto Glass & Calibrations for your auto glass replacement needs, you’re ensuring top-notch quality, safety, and service. We make certain that every replacement meets strict safety standards and is built to last.

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