While considering the auto glass available in the market, we must know the technology behind the glass. There is no one size fit solution. Moreover, cars have various glass parts like vent glass, rear-view glass, windshield glass, among others. Every glass has its safety features and functions. They are designed to keep the occupants of the car safe from all dangers.
Auto glass, especially windscreen glass, is distinguished into 3 kinds: Dealer glass, OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) glass and After-market glass. You can buy any type for fitting on Volkswagen Caddy.
- Dealer Glass
Such glass comes from the manufacturer. However, it is marketed and sold by dealerships, auto-repair shops or windshield installers, authorized by the manufacturer. The glass is similar to OEM glass except for the fact that it has the dealer symbol embedded on it. For example, if a Toyota car owner purchased the dealer glass, the latter has the Toyota symbol inscribed on it.
- OEM Glass
There are many OEM glass manufacturers out there in the market. Such glass is made with the same specifications as the dealer glass. For instance, OEM Ford windows are the same shape, size, thickness, durability and colour as the original glass windows installed by the Ford manufacturing company. Windows labelled as ‘OEM’ are almost identical to Dealer glass, but they are from different manufacturers. The catch is that OEM will cost you lesser than Dealer glass while keeping your car equally safe and sound.
- Aftermarket Glass
It is the kind of glass manufactured by companies that do not contract directly with car manufacturers. It is a good standard, but it is not sourced from the original manufactures of your car. It may be classified as ‘generic’ but is still of good quality. The thickness is the same as that of the original glass and may have the same guarantee as to the other two kinds of windscreen glass. When compared to Dealer glass and OEM glass, Aftermarket glass is cheaper. But the only danger is that you wouldn’t come to know from which company it came.
Types of Auto Glass
Originally windshields were made of standard plate glass. The problem with such glasses is that it puts occupants at risk of serious injury when involved in accidents. But the good news was that by the 1930s, cars began the use of safety glass. Such glass is manufactured using processes that are designed to not only reduce its potential to break but also to minimize injury when involved in a mishap. Today, safety glass is standard for all automobiles.
There are also two main kinds of safety glass used to make cars: Laminated and Tempered Glass.
- Laminated Glass
This glass is made by taking two sheets of glass, sticking them together with a layer of resin (PVB), and fusing the glass sandwich under high temperature. In the event of a crash, the laminated glass of your car window will not shatter. It may break, but the PVB layer will ensure that it is intact. There will be no glass flying around. Instead, it will cushion any impact. This glass is also most effective against UV radiation.
- Tempered Glass
It is a tough glass that is nearly four times stronger than ordinary glass. It is formed by heating glass to over 600 degrees Celsius followed by rapid cooling. Besides being strong, tempered glass is as safe as laminated glass. This is because, in the event of a crash, the glass will break into thousands of rounded pebbles like pieces that will not wound or cause injury. Such glass is mostly used for rear windscreens and side windows. Tempered glass is 3 to 4 times less costly than Laminate glass.
These are some of the glass options for cars like Volkswagen Caddy. It is up to you to weigh the pros and cons of each type.