Even the most careful drivers face the challenges of choosing and buying a new windshield. Presented today huge selection various options. Original models and analogues are offered. Often motorists find it difficult to choose. Let's find out which windshield is better to put on a car.
If a crack has appeared on the surface, then experts recommend not postponing repair and replacement indefinitely, since using a car with an emergency windshield can lead to serious consequences.
Types of glasses and features of their production
To figure out which windshield is better to install, you must first learn about the types of products, their design features, and production technologies. Modern automakers most often use elements made using the following technologies:
- Stalinite.
- Triplex.
- Laminated glass.
Let's consider each type in more detail.
stalinite
This is a technology by which the material is obtained by heating and then gradually cooling. Glass made using this technology is five times stronger than ordinary glass. If it breaks, the result is a huge amount of non-sharp particles. It is almost impossible to cut yourself with these pieces of glass.
Triplex
The windshield of a car made using this technology consists of several layers (usually two), which are interconnected with a special adhesive. Plexiglas is used as the base material for production. Triplex is enough expensive technology. But this glass perfectly absorbs sound, lends itself well to repair. It is highly durable and comfortable to use. 
In terms of price and quality ratio, triplex is considered the most the best option for most motorists. It is reliable, durable and safe. Some manufacturers offer Chameleon windshield with athermal film.
multilayer
This is the most worthy option in terms of strength and reliability. However, the price of such glasses is the highest. This product is made from several layers of sheet material. What are the features? These products have an adhesive between each layer of material. This is the highest strength. Often this is installed in cars executive class, in armored vehicles, transport for collectors. Installing a windshield of this type protects even from a shot from a firearm.
Original or equivalent
Sometimes in car dealerships, when asked about the availability of windshields for sale, you can hear that there are original models and non-original ones. Often the price of the first product is three or more times higher. And then the motorist begins to be interested, but is there any difference?
And the presence of this difference depends on the particular seller. Some say there is absolutely no difference. Others confidently argue that only the original windshield is worth buying. Which is better - there is no clear answer to this question. Sellers respond only with general phrases. There is no answer to this question even among motorists, although a lot of articles have been written where people are frightened without indicating any facts. On numerous automotive forums, people write funny things. And all because no one considered it necessary to delve deeper into the issue. 
Before comparing which windshield is better to put, you need to figure out what kind of original glass it is. Under the original product, many people understand the product that was installed on the machine at the factory. Not a single company that assembles cars is engaged in the manufacture of glasses. They, like many other components, are purchased from various contractors. So the glass becomes original for a particular car, for another car it will no longer be original. But the cost of the product is very significant.
It follows that it is far from always worth overpaying for the original. Especially when you consider how much the windshield costs. If there is a difference, then it is not as big as sellers in stores are trying to tell motorists.
Triplex manufacturing process
Every auto glass factory uses essentially the same technology. The difference is only in the degree of automation of technological processes and the amount of manual labor. Let's look at how triplex is produced from this point of view.
For the manufacture of such glass, sheet material of class M1 is used as a raw material. Its thickness is 2 mm. Glasses are glued with polyvinyl butyral film. In Russia, there are only two enterprises that are capable of manufacturing such products. These are "Bor glass factory" and "Salavatsteklo".
Each manufacturer manufactures M1 products with similar technical specifications. All glasses are almost the same - why not use cheaper products? Motorists have a prejudice that this or that model of glass wears out faster, scratches, and is erased. This is mistake. The wear rate is more dependent on the quality of the wiper blades, the presence of sand and dirt on the surface. Everything is about the same with PVB film. This material is produced in large chemical companies. And factories that make glass buy this raw material. 
If films and glasses are the same for each manufacturer, then what is the difference between them and which windshield is better to put on your car? But still there are differences. The quality of a product depends on how the product is made.
It is necessary to cut two identical pieces of glass, process the edges of the sheets, make a border, give the two sheets the desired shape, glue them using a film. Next - to give the product transparency, remove air bubbles. Then cut off the film around the edges. All these stages together and each separately affect the quality and safety of the final product.
Why the price difference?
How much does a windshield cost, say, on a Ford Focus? About 8 thousand rubles are asked for the original product. Chinese can cost 3 thousand. But here everything is simple - the additional costs of the manufacturer affect the price of glass.
Manufacturing costs vary. In Europe, this is one digit, Chinese companies- another, in our country - the third. In addition, customs duties and transport costs are reflected in the price. If the glass came from afar, then naturally it will cost more. The more intermediaries from the manufacturer to the buyer, the higher the price.
China or Europe?
What is the difference between the products of European and Chinese manufacturers? This is one of the most FAQ, which are asked by motorists who are interested in replacing the windshield.
Let's start with the most important thing - chemical composition. European windshield manufacturers make softer products, so even if low-quality wipers are installed on cars, such products withstand rubbing more stably. Chinese glasses are tougher, so when dust or dirt gets on the surface, wear is formed. You can safely buy Chinese products. But if you need to replace the glass, you must immediately change the wiper blades and constantly monitor them. 
Glass is also made in the so-called handicraft industries. These products are really different. high quality- may not fit the size of the windshield. Most often it is made from cheap materials.
Rating of the best manufacturers
Several major manufacturers are currently leading the global auto glass market. Let's take a look at the top rated ones.
Pilkington
So, the first manufacturer is the British company Pilkington. The company is considered the best because of the serious approach to production and quality control. Even in the last century, glass was made using the "Float" technology. Products have a special coating. The company also makes tinted automotive glass. Processes are constantly being improved. 
Asahi Glass Company
This Japanese company, which started manufacturing sheet glass as early as 1900. Today AGC controls one third of the auto glass market. The product is installed on basic options Japanese and European cars. Range includes all types automotive glass(for roofs, products with heating). Also available windshield "Chameleon". 
Products of this manufacturer fully comply with all necessary standards. The company also produces glass for most domestic cars.
Sekurit Saint-Gobain
There are a number of manufacturers that you can trust. This is the European brand Sekurit Saint-Gobain. The company produces real German glass. Installing a windshield of this brand will allow you not to worry. It is the reliable product of choice for the most prestigious car manufacturers.
Conclusion
So, we examined the types of automotive glass and their features. As you can see significant difference between original products and analogues.
Our company is already very for a long time sells, installs and repairs automotive glass. We work only with the most the best manufacturers glass for cars. Experienced managers of the company will easily select for our customers the necessary marking of the product, which is ideal for your car. Experienced craftsmen will repair in the shortest possible time chip or crack in the windshield unit, and if necessary, they will be able to replace the windshield, rear and side windows on your car.
Choice today glass products very large and on the market there are both European, American, and Chinese made. It is known that the Chinese automotive glass are several times cheaper than Europeans, but their wear resistance is slightly lower than that of glasses from European manufacturer. Chinese windshields
are considered softer, since during operation they are rubbed much faster and scratches and scuffs remain on the surface of the product. After the design of your car has been installed Windshield made in China, the first thing to do is to replace the old wipers with new ones. Since the glass must be subjected to a minimum mechanical influences. Thus, it will last much longer. European windshields are much more solid and of high quality, and after installing such a glass You probably won't need to replace the wipers. The product will remain perfectly transparent for a long time, because such glasses are highly resistant to mechanical damage.
The largest manufacturer of automotive glass in the world today is Pilkington (England). The company was founded in London in 1826. All products sold by the company are distributed in 130 countries of the world, that is, the manufacturer has the largest geographical coverage among big companies, manufacturing, automotive glass. Today, Pilkington is at the forefront of the automotive glass market.
The Polish manufacturer NordGlass is located in the city of Koszalin and was founded in 1991. It is in this city that the central office of the company and its central warehouse are located. There are more branches of the company in Poland, they are also engaged in the installation and sale of automotive glass. These departments are also organized as warehouses, which makes it possible to supply automotive glass
and other auto companies. 
Japanese AGC glasses are manufactured by a company that dates back to 1907. Outside of Japan, the company has more than 50 enterprises that are engaged in the production of automotive glass. The enterprise is official supplier glasses for such well-known world manufacturers as Toyota, Nissan, Mitsubishi, Honda and many other auto concerns. Japanese automotive glass is the most reliable and durable when compared with products from other manufacturers.
French automotive glass from Sekurit is supplied to cars such as Alfa Romeo, Citroen, Fiat, Jaguar, Peugeot, Suzuki, Volvo and others. It is a supplier for these car brands. The company was founded back in 1665 as a manufactory, but today it is a huge concern, which includes dozens of the world's best industrial enterprises.
Quite well known are Chinese manufacturers auto glass like XYG , FYG, Benson . They all make high quality automotive glass for the most various models machines. Such products will serve faithfully to their owners for a long time. Do not think that Chinese products are not of very high quality. The factories of Chinese manufacturers use only imported equipment from major machine tool manufacturers in Germany, England, and Japan. Therefore, Chinese auto glass is competitively capable and adequately performs its functions.
Asahi Glass Company Ltd. - Japanese manufacturer glass, developing 5 business areas: auto glass, sheet glass, chemistry, electronics and energy. The Automotive Glass Division of the AGC Group acts as a supplier of automotive glass under the unified global brand AGC Automotive.
Autoglass (Korea)
Korea Autoglass Corporation (KAC) was founded in 2000 in South Korea as a division of Kumgang Korea Chemicals Co. Ltd, which is responsible for the production of quality automotive glass. Production capacity and the main office is located in the province of Chungcheon-Nando, and sales branches are open in significant cities of the country: Seoul, Jeonju, Dangjin, Usan and others.
Benson (China)
Shenzhen Benson Automobile Glass was established in 1994 in Shenzhen City, Guangdong Province, China. Today, the company occupies an area of 60,000 km², and the number of employees exceeds 1,000 people. Benson has an annual turnover of more than 4 million automotive glass units. The company produces glass of 2 grades: Lamishield (laminated multilayer) and Toughenlite (hardened).
FUYAO (China)
Fuyao Glass Industry Group Co., Ltd was founded in Fuzhou, China in 1987. Today it is ranked 5th in the world ranking of manufacturers of auto glass, technical and flat glass (float). The company's production bases are located in China (Fuzhou, Changchun, Shuangliao, Shanghai, etc.), USA (South Carolina), Russia (Kaluga) and other countries. There are branches in Japan, South Korea, Australia, Germany. In 2013, the annual production volume reached 5 million sets of glasses, and sales reached 11.5 billion dollars.
Guardian (USA)
Guardian Industries is the largest manufacturer of float glass, which is used to make triplex glass. Founded in 1932 in Auburn Hills, Michigan, it immediately conquered the primary market, becoming a supplier to US car factories. Since the development of flat glass in the 70s, the Guardian has been expanding its production base by acquiring factories in Europe. High-tech plants were also built in Russia - in 2008 in Ryazan and in 2012 in the city of Krasny Sulin, Rostov Region, the total investment amounted to more than 450 million dollars. Today the Guardian employs over 20,000 people on all continents except Antarctica.
KMK GLASS (Russia)
Russian enterprise KMK Glass was founded in 1996 in Bor, Nizhny Novgorod Region. Starting with the sales of glass for cars, in 2000 it moved directly to their production - first triplex, and then stalinite (since 2004). The assortment of the company is distinguished by species diversity (frontal, rear, side), the production of products for buses, trucks and cars, agricultural machinery. After the appearance of production lines for foreign cars in Russia, KMK Glass launched the production of glasses of the corresponding type.
NordGlass (Poland)
The Polish company JAAN is better known by the name of its famous products - laminated auto glass brand Nordglass. Founded in 1991 in the city of Koszalin, it has grown significantly over a quarter of a century, becoming one of the leading European flagships in the production of glass for cars. For a quarter of a century, the company has produced more than 10 million pieces of glass produced at two factories located in Słupsk and Koszalin.
Pilkington (England)
The British company Pilkington NSG Group is the officially recognized leader in terms of glass sales in the world, today the company occupies an honorable second place in the top. For almost two hundred years of existence (since 1826), the manufactory has grown to an industrial giant, owning 42 factories located in 29 countries, with a total number of 30 thousand people. The geography of deliveries covers 130 countries.
Security (France)
The glass corporation "Saint-Gobain" (read Saint-Gobain) has a history since 1665. Then it was a manufactory that received an order for the glazing of the Palace of Versailles, and today it is an industrial giant that unites 1,400 companies and branches from 64 countries of the world. The head office is located in Paris, France.
Shatterprufe (South Africa)
Shatterprufe has been making glass since 1935. Over its eighty-year history, it has grown to become an industrial giant on the African continent and entered the world market, offering quality products using the latest technologies during manufacture.
XYG (China)
Hong Kong-based Xinyi Group Glass is one of the largest manufacturers auto glass that boasts low prices. The appearance of the company dates back to the distant 1988. And in February 2005. was listed on the stock exchange. To date, the corporation has 6 production bases located in Dongguan, Shenzhen, Jiangmen, Wuhu, Tianjin, Yingkou and Deyang. Their total area is more than 5 million square meters. The number of employees is also striking in its scope: more than 15,000 people.
BOR (Russia)
JSC "AGC Borsky glass factory" - Russian manufacturer glasses for cars. The plant has existed since 1934 and is famous for its products throughout the territory. former USSR. Since 1997, the company was bought out by Glaverbel (Belgium), after which it began to officially represent the Asahi Glass Company concern. The capital brought in made it possible to update all production lines and switch to European quality standards, which contributed to the rapid entry of boron auto glass to the world market.
When choosing a windshield, car owners face a lot of questions. Which windshields are better - original or non-original? How does the price and quality of glasses compare? What to look for when inspecting glass? We will answer these and other questions in this article.
What is the difference between original glass and non-original glass?
The windshield with which the car leaves the assembly line is called the original. Automakers do not manufacture automotive glass. They order it from a glass factory. Therefore, the word "original" means one or another manufacturer that produces glasses for specific brand(model) of the vehicle.
Thus, the criterion "original - not original" does not determine the quality of glass - it only indicates whether a particular automaker cooperates with a particular autoglass manufacturer or not. Another thing is that if any automaker works with the plant, this is a certain criterion for product quality. But the statement that the original glass on specific car always better than the non-original, not quite justified. The quality of glass from two factories, each making glass for a different car manufacturer, can be almost identical.
European, Chinese, Russian - which windshields are better to choose?
To date and in European countries, in China and in many other countries there are large glass factories operating in accordance with world standards and producing quality products. Since the standards are the same, the quality of the glass produced at large factories, is also comparable. So the country of origin doesn't really matter.
What to look for when inspecting a windshield?
The following signs should alert you:
- Incorrect labeling or lack thereof.
- Windshield thickness exceeding 5.6-6.2 mm for a passenger car.
- Protruding edges of the polymer film.
- Poorly finished edge.
- Transparency failure.
These signs may indicate a fake or poor quality products, so it is better not to buy such glass.
What is the danger of low-quality glass?
The problem with handicraft, counterfeit, suspiciously cheap products is their unpredictability. Such glass may turn out to be fragile and burst under a small load, it can be rubbed with wipers very quickly, or it can break instead of cracking. Therefore, if the price or appearance glass is suspicious, it is better to refuse to buy. Attentiveness and lack of haste when choosing a brand and a particular piece of glass are the main conditions for purchasing quality products.
By quality, glass is divided into several groups:
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