At Mobile Glass we are dedicated to delivering the most comprehensive source of auto glass and windshield information. Understanding auto glass parts and services is a great start to making informed decisions regarding your vehicle. From back glass to windshields, installation to repair and even commercial truck glass, Mobile Glass has you covered. You may know some of the basic terminology, but you probably weren’t aware that some vehicles have as many as 12 different options for the same basic windshield! Also, did you know that almost every auto glass part is colored? If you want to know how deep the rabbit hole goes into the auto glass world, read on. Here is information on auto glass prices. If you’re ready, here’s our fast auto glass replacement quote.
Auto Glass Parts
Standard auto glass part options:
- OEM vs. Aftermarket
- New vs. Used
- Color: tinted, green, blue, shade, bronze or chrome
- Tempered, laminated, bullet resistant or bullet proof
- Windshield attachments: rain sensor, condensation sensor, heated, heads up display, electrochromic rearview mirror
- Back glass options: slider, power slider, three parts, four parts
- Coatings: solar coated, acoustic interlayer, high beam dampener
Windshield Features
The features, options and attachments for windshields has become so extensive that it has moved to its own page “Windshield Options & Features.”
Door Glass
Door glass is the second most common auto glass part. Door glass prices on GM, Chevrolet and Ford trucks are the cheapest auto glass parts because they fit so many different models over multiple years. Aftermarket door glass can save you a lot of money. However auto glass companies have more problems with aftermarket door glass than any other aftermarket auto glass part. Here’s the options for door glass parts and how they affect you:
- OEM: Door glass is different from windshields. OEM door glass is far superior to aftermarket door glass, mainly due to the strict inspection criteria. OEM door glass is clear, smooth and curved properly every time.
- Aftermarket: Aftermarket door glass may be much cheaper than OEM, however the quality can, at times, be noticeable with waves and imperfections easy to spot. However, the biggest trouble is curvature. Aftermarket glass is plagued with improper curving which can create stress on your electric power window motor (or your arm!). If you can hear your window regulator struggling to do its job and just had a window replaced you may want to see your warranty information.
- Bullet-resistant: Same as bullet-resistant windshields. Door glass of this type is thicker and heavier and requires a stronger power window motor.
- Bulletproof: Like the windshields, highly unnecessary without bulletproofing the entire vehicle.
- Color: Coatings or color embedded in the glass itself straight from the manufacturer. This is not aftermarket tinting film, though it may be difficult to tell.
- Tempered: All auto glass that isn’t laminated is required by law to be tempered. Tempered glass will break into a million little peices verses cracking into large parts. This reduces or nearly eliminates the danger to the vehicles inhabitants.
- Laminated: Laminated door glass is not common, but like a laminated windshield is much safer and stronger than tempered. Laminated door glass is also more expensive than tempered glass.
Back Glass
Back glass is among the most expensive auto glass parts. Back glass doesn’t break often, but when it does it causes a big mess and leaves you with a hefty bill. Back glass is most commonly made with tempered glass which has a safety feature allowing it to break into a million pieces when broken. Because of this, back glass must always be replaced not repaired. The only repairs that can be done to back glass are not on the glass itself, but rather the seal. Replacement back glass is prone to leaking, especially if the pinchweld is worn or damaged. Here are the common options for back glass:
- OEM
- Aftermarket
- Tint
- Color
- Heated
- Slider
- Power slider
- 3 parts
- 4 parts
- Tempered
- Laminated
- Bullet-resistant
- Bulletproof
Vent Window
The vent window can be a small triangular window attached just in front of the front door glass. However, there can also be vent windows in the rear of vehicles too. The vent window is so named because of the way in which original vent windows opened: they “vented” the vehicle by a vertical pivot point allowing the glass to rotate open slightly or a full 90 degrees. Almost all vent windows are movable, but a few are stationary. Vent windows in the rear of the vehicle can often be confused with quarter glass. Sometimes the style is so similar the name of the part is determined by the maker. Although vent glass is a small auto glass part, it can be very pricey because it doesn’t break often. Let’s discuss vent window options and how they affect you:
- OEM
- Aftermarket
- Tint
- Color
- Tempered
- Laminated
- Bullet-resistant
- Bulletproof
Quarter Glass
Quarter glass is a stationary auto glass part found in the rear of SUV’s, trucks, station wagons, minivans and vans. Quarter glass is quite a large part that isn’t commonly replaced. This means the quarter glass is similar to back glass in price, making it quite expensive. Let’s discuss back glass options and how they affect you:
- OEM: Quarter glass from the original equipment manufacturer is the highest quality and most expensive glass.
- Aftermarket: Aftermarket quarter glass is cheaper, yet not likely to be any different from OEM quarter glass.
- Tint
- Color
- Tempered
- Laminated
- Bullet-resistant
- Bulletproof