No matter the season, looking through broken, cracked, or chipped glass can be a real downer. Furthermore, scratched or damaged side glass can pose a safety hazard when turning or merging. Glass repair is typically avoided by most DIYers. However, did you know that a car window replacement can be done at minimal cost with a little elbow grease and a basic set of hand tools? In this guide, we’ll cover the ins and outs of replacing both front and rear side window glass, and how much it costs to fix a broken window on your car.
Related
Tesla Redeveloping Unbreakable Cybertruck Glass
Will Tesla get it right this time?
Factors That Affect Glass Replacement Costs
There are a few factors that can affect window replacement costs, such as the type of glass, whether the glass is tinted, and how much labor time is involved.
Glass Type
Automotive glass has come a long way since first being used in automobiles. Modern vehicles will typically use tempered glass on the side windows and laminated glass for the front and rear windshields (the back window replacement cost will be different to the side). It’s important to ensure you purchase tempered glass for side window replacements. There have been reports of cheap aftermarket glass being used, and it does not shatter the way tempered glass is designed to. These cheaper glass types can be a safety hazard in a crash. Additionally, you can expect replacement glass to cost more on luxury models; for instance, the Audi A8 is equipped with dual-pane acoustic glass to reduce road noise.
Tinted Glass
Tinted glass is used for privacy and to prevent the sun damaging the interior. Most manufacturers offer a standard rear side window tint. Other times, people have aftermarket window tints installed. Aftermarket replacement glass does not always come with the factory tint level. If OEM glass is used and the windows used aftermarket window tint, new window tint will need to be applied.
Labor Time
Most side window glass is easily replaced by removing the door panel with typical labor times ranging from 0.5 to 1.5 hours. However, there can be additional labor charges such as cleanup time if the glass is shattered. Window seal replacement, window tint application, and window regulator replacement can also increase the required labor time for a proper repair.
Add CarBuzz to your Google News feed.
Fixed Glass Vs. Movable Glass
Not all window glass is movable. Non-movable glass is often termed ‘fixed glass’ or ‘body glass’. This glass will require special tools to remove and special adhesives to properly replace it. We recommend letting the pros handle fixed glass replacement.
Does Car Insurance Cover Window Glass Replacement?
Generally speaking, basic coverage or only liability coverage would not cover side vehicle window replacement. However, in some accident scenarios, the insurance of the faulted vehicle will most likely cover the repairs, including side window replacement. Full coverage or comprehensive plans will most likely cover side window replacement.
Related
How To Fix A Car Window That Won’t Roll Up Or Down
Some of the fixes can easily be done yourself, while others will require special tools and a lot more elbow grease.
How To Replace Broken Window Glass
You can replace most window glass with a set of basic hand tools and only about an hour’s worth of time. Whether it’s the front window or rear window, the first step involved is the removal of the door panel. We recommend using caution anytime you remove a door panel as the door panels themselves will likely cost more than the replacement glass, and they can be hard to get.
The following are basic tools required to remove a door panel:
- Ratchet set with assorted sockets.
- Basic screwdriver set.
- Interior trim tool set.
The following are some of the steps involved in passenger window replacement, including removing a door panel:
- Using the window switch, position the window approximately halfway down.
- Remove the window switch and/or fastener covers.
- Remove the fasteners.
- Using an interior trim tool, pry the panel to free the clips.
- Disconnect electrical connectors and cable retainers.
- Remove the window glass covers (if applicable)
- Remove the two window glass fasteners.
- Gently push the glass away from the window regulator mounts.
- Carefully lift the glass at an angle and remove it from the door.
- Slide the replacement glass onto the regulator mounts and reinstall the fasteners.
- Reinstall the door panel.
- Check the power window operation.
Apply a silicone spray to the window seal to prevent the glass from binding. If the glass is shattered, use a shop vacuum to remove the broken glass. Be sure to remove all the glass shards from the window seal to prevent seal damage.
How Much Does It Cost To Replace A Car Window?
As we mentioned above, there are a few factors that will affect the replacement cost of a car window. The cost of window glass will vary from vehicle to vehicle. T&S Auto Glass estimates the average cost to replace window glass is between $200 and $450. You can save yourself here as some replacement glass can cost as little as $50 for some vehicles. Additionally, doing the job yourself will allow you to avoid labor costs.
Depending on your vehicle’s insurance coverage, window glass replacement may be covered. Safelite is a great option for many customers as they will perform the repair directly at your house. Additionally, a component DIYer can handle this repair themselves – just make sure you’re ordering a quality glass.
