A. Most “dings” or “chips” can be repaired if the damage is not in the driver’s line of vision and is smaller than the size of a silver dollar, including any cracks. Repairing can save hundreds of dollars over the cost of a replacement. If the break is larger or in the driver’s line of vision, Virginia Glass recommends replacement — and so do most insurance companies. Here at Virginia Glass we provide both services.

FYI: The Virginia Official Safety Inspection Manual states a car will not receive a safety inspection sticker if:
“There is a pit, chip, or star crack larger than 1½ inches in diameter at any location in the windshield above the 3-inch line at the bottom.”

“At any location in the windshield above the 3-inch line at the bottom there is more than one crack from the same point if at least one of the cracks is more than 1½ inches in length. There is any crack that weakens the windshield so that one piece may be moved in relation to the other. (If there is more than one crack running from a star crack that extends above the 3-inch line, the windshield shall be rejected.)”

A. Safety inspections include inspecting windshield and other glass for:

• Approved type safety glass.
• Cloudiness, distortion or other obstruction to vision.
• Cracked, scratched or broken glass.
• Stickers. ALL UNAUTHORIZED STICKERS MUST BE REMOVED.
• Sunshading material attached to the windshield to ensure it does not extend more than 3 inches downward from the top of windshield, unless authorized by Medical Waiver Certificate.
• Operation of left front door glass.

Contact Virginia Glass to remedy any of these problems you may have, including the mechanical operation of door glass.

A. Yes. Your windshield was designed as the number one safety restraint system in your vehicle.  Auto manufacturers say your windshield provides up to 60% of the roof crush protection in a rollover accident. It also provides the backstop support for your passenger-side airbag in a front-end collision. If your windshield pops out in a collision or rollover, you could be ejected or crushed. See our Safety page.

It’s important to know who is replacing your windshield. Your life could depend on it.

A. OEM stands for Original Equipment Manufacturer. OEM glass is produced by from original equipment style tooling and meets manufacturer specifications for safety and quality. Only OEM auto glass can ensure proper fit and finish, which greatly reduces the possibility of air or water leaks.

Most importantly, only OEM glass is designed specifically to meet safety standards necessary for your protection in an accident. You should always use OEM glass to ensure your safety. Virginia Glass uses OEM auto glass. Read more on our Materials page

A. Most vehicles require about an hour of installation time PLUS an hour for the adhesive to cure (dry) properly.
But it does depend on the make and model of your car. Because of the complexity of some vehicles, it could take as long as three hours.

The Auto Glass Replacement Safety Standards (AGRSS) Council standard requires a full cutout method when replacing a windshield, and this takes a little more time than “short cuts” used by some of our competitors. If a company claims they can replace your windshield and have you back on the road in 30 minutes, then it’s a sure bet that it won’t be done right, and is certainly not safe.

A. Often we CAN reuse your car’s safety inspection sticker when we replace the windshield. Once the old windshield is removed from the car, we will strip off the sticker and re-apply it to the new windshield, if we can. This may not be possible if the glass behind the sticker has heavy impact damage and the sticker cannot be removed.

A. To repair a small crack or ding (without replacing the entire windshield) takes about 30 minutes.

A. There could be lots of reasons.  Some companies are famous for quoting incredibly low prices on the telephone, but when the customer goes in for service they find out that other parts are required.

Most often the companies that quote low prices uses cheap inexperienced labor and no-name Chinese imported glass. Unfortunately, most people don’t know the difference or understand the safety implications. They make their decisions solely on price. Don’t be fooled by these quick-buck hucksters. If it sounds too good to be true it probably is. Get a quote you can trust from Virginia Glass

A. Chances are they can’t.

In recent years, insurance companies have set strict pricing standards on auto glass work, and will not pay more than these “usual and customary” charges. As a result, the only way the cost of these “rebates” can be absorbed is by cutting corners.
You’ll have to question what kind of job you’ll get. Will they use OEM parts and Auto Glass Replacement Safety Standards safety procedures to ensure your safety? Probably NOT! Most companies with reputations for doing quality work don’t need to make wild offers to attract business.

A. No. Certain climatic conditions will make it impossible to perform a quality installation outdoors.

Precipitation during the bonding process can contaminate the adhesive, resulting in leakage and an unsafe lack of adhesion.
Cold temperatures can also result in poor quality installations. Although the Dow Automotive Betaseal™ urethane adhesives used by Virginia Glass can cure rapidly at low temperatures, the application process is not ideal below 30 degrees. Also, most vehicles today utilize a large amount of plastics in their moldings and trim. These materials are also difficult to work with in below-freezing temperatures and are more likely to be damaged during the installation if they are cold.

As you can imagine, high winds also can jeopardize the safety of the installer, and windy conditions are considered unsafe in the auto glass replacement industry.

When any of these factors exist, Virginia Glass will schedule your windshield replacement at one of our three conveniently located shops, where the work can be done in a controlled environment. We will work with you to make getting the job done as convenient for you as possible. With advance notice, we can arrange to give you a ride to your home or work, and discounted car rentals are also available with Enterprise and Hertz Local Edition.

A. The short answer to this question is NO. Your insurance rates should not increase due to auto glass replacement.
Insurance companies do not factor glass claims by themselves into the equation when determining your risk assignment or your insurance rates. Unlike accidents, windshield replacements are comprehensive claims that you have no control over.
Everyone’s situation is different, though, so to be sure you should check with your agent.

At Virginia Glass, we guarantee our workmanship on windshield replacement with a warranty that lasts as long as you own your car.

This means that we will repair any problem associated with the installation at no charge to you. Additionally, all windshields from our normal suppliers carry a one-year manufacturer’s warranty against defects.
In the event you live outside or move away from the Virginia Glass service area, any National Glass Association member shop can perform the warranty service.

In Virginia, our mobile windshield repair and replacement service travels to Gainesville, Haymarket, Bristow, Manassas, Aldie, Catharpin, Middleburg, Chantilly, Centreville, Warrenton, Marshall, The Plains, Catlett, Broad Run, Clifton and Nokesville; Sterling, Potomac Falls, Dulles, Herndon, Oak Hill, Broadlands, Lansdowne, Leesburg, Waterford, Hamilton, Purcellville, Round Hill, Lovettsville and Arcola; Tysons Corner, Vienna, McLean, Langley, Great Falls, Reston, Oakton, Falls Church, Fairfax, Merrifield, Arlington, Alexandria, Springfield, Newington, Annandale and Dunn Loring.

We also serve the Rockville, Bethesda and Gaithersburg, MD., area.