There are many reasons to have your windshield replaced. It may become damaged in an accident or it may simply be worn down by a few too many pits. A crack in the driver's line of sight may make the windshield unsafe. There are many types and brands of windshields available on the market today. Not all these windshields have been manufactured to the desired quality. As a driver who's keen on safety, you'll want to ensure that you get a windshield made of high-quality glass. There are a few things you can do to help.

Understand Your Options

Glass for car windows and windshields are broadly categorized into three classes:

• Dealer glass
• Original equipment manufacturer(OEM) glass
• Aftermarket glass or original equipment equivalent glass

Dealer glass is the most expensive option, and it is of the same quality as OEM glass. The difference is that dealer glass will have the make of the vehicle stamped on it. OEM glass is made by the same manufacturer that made the car's original windshield and will have the same qualities.

OEE or aftermarket glass is supposed to be an equivalent of the original, but it often isn't, especially if the original windows had sensors and other advanced features in them.

Don't Settle for the Cheapest Option

As with most things, when it comes to auto glass the cheap options are cheap for a reason. These types of glass aren't always made to the same quality level as what you originally had in your car. Therefore, they may not be as reliable. Although it's possible to get a cheap option that is just as good as the original, it's never easy to tell if what you're looking at is actually a good deal.

Check for Compatibility of Sensors

Modern vehicles come with many advanced sensor systems in their windows. If you go to an auto glass repair shop and insist on dealer glass or OEM glass, it should not interfere with your sensor system. However, if you notice any problems with camera and sensor systems in your car immediately after replacing your windshield, it's likely the glass used to replace the windshield isn't OEM or dealer glass.

You should also note that if your vehicle is leased, you may not be able to return it to the dealership if the windshield or any other window was replaced by OEE glass. A professional auto glass replacement shop can help to ensure you get glass of the right quality.