Auto glass is designed and manufactured for optimum safety. Two types of safety glass are used: laminated glass and tempered glass.

Windshields are made of laminated safety glass consisting of two pieces of glass bonded together by a vinyl inter-layer. This vinyl layer “cushions” during impact. If a windshield sustains damage, the broken pieces generally adhere to the plastic lining.

Side and rear window glass is usually made of tempered glass which has been treated to make it much stronger than other glass of the same thickness. Tempered glass is produced by heating glass to more than 1,100°F and then rapidly cooling it. This results in the outside surfaces of the glass becoming harder than the center of the glass. If broken, tempered glass is designed to shatter into small pieces. Manufacturers sometimes opt to use laminated glass for side windows to improve sound insulation and durability.

There are two types of replacement auto glass:

Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) glass – OEM glass is manufactured by a company who supplies original equipment to the vehicle’s manufacturer. OEM manufactured glass has the same appearance, fit and function as the original glass in your vehicle.

OEM auto glass standards and specifications are more stringent than Department of Transportation (DOT) standards (for example OEM glass requires 100 percent windshield retention in frontal barrier crash tests). Installation of this glass ensures that your vehicle manufacturer’s auto glass warranties will be honored. For safety and highest standards, Bean’s Auto Glass only uses OEM auto glass.

Aftermarket glass – Aftermarket glass is produced by companies that do not contract with any car manufacturers and do not hold the legal right to manufacture auto glass to the exact specifications as OEM distributors, due to licensing and copyright laws. Aftermarket glass is usually different in thickness than OEM glass, and does not carry the same guarantees.