Repair or replace a windshield: how to decide

Short answer: a small windshield chip, away from the edge and outside the driver's line of sight, can often be repaired. A crack, on the other hand, is not repaired at Liqui Pneus: it requires a replacement, on quote. In between, an inspection of the glass decides. This guide gives you the criteria to check yourself before you call, what to avoid in the meantime and how each option works at our Laval shop.

Chip, star or crack: what are we talking about?

A stone thrown up by a truck usually leaves a chip, also called an impact: a small spot where the outer layer of glass is flaked. Some chips are shaped like a star or a half-moon, with short legs around the point of impact. A crack is something else: a line that runs through the glass, often starting from a chip or from the edge, and grows longer over time.

The difference matters. A repair injects a resin into the impact to stop it from spreading and to restore the clarity of the glass. It suits small, localized damage. A line running across the glass is not localized damage.

The criteria that lead to a replacement

According to CAA-Québec, a specialist will often recommend a replacement when:

• the chip or break is larger than a loonie;
• the crack sits in the ceramic band, the black border of the windshield;
• the damage is less than 3 cm from the visible edge;
• the impact is in the driver's line of sight;
• the crack has gone through the outer layer of glass.

At Liqui Pneus, our rule is simple: a crack is not repaired, it requires a replacement, on quote. Several impacts close together, or an impact on the edge of the glass, also generally lead to a replacement.

The law matters too. Quebec's regulation on road vehicle safety standards prohibits, within the area swept by the wipers, cracks that meet and chips more than 12 mm in diameter (except under the inside mirror and in a 75 mm strip at the top and bottom of the windshield). We explain it section by section in our guide Driving with a cracked windshield in Quebec: what the law says.

When a repair is the right choice

CAA-Québec says a repair can be enough when the damage is small, localized and outside the driver's line of sight; an impact smaller than a coin is easy to repair. A repair keeps the original windshield and its factory seal, and it takes much less time than a replacement.

Two honest caveats. The impact becomes much less visible after the repair, but a faint mark can remain. And still according to CAA-Québec, repaired glass stays slightly more fragile than an intact windshield. A repair is first and foremost a way to keep the chip from turning into a crack.

Why you should not wait, especially in winter

A chip does not heal by itself. Temperature swings, a defroster heating cold glass, potholes and road vibration all make it spread. Quebec winters speed this up: an impact that is repairable in October can become a crack in January, and you then go from a repair to a full replacement.

Until your appointment:

• avoid thermal shock: never pour hot water on a frozen windshield, and let the defroster warm the glass gradually;
• keep your distance behind trucks and on gravel roads to limit new impacts;
• note the date and circumstances of the damage and take a photo: they will help if you file a claim with your insurer.

What each option costs

Chip repair has a fixed price at Liqui Pneus, based on the number of chips. The current price grid, before taxes, is published on our Windshield in Laval page.

Replacement is done on quote, because the price depends on the vehicle and on the features built into the glass:

• a driver assistance camera mounted behind the windshield (lane keeping, emergency braking, automatic high beams);
• a rain sensor;
• a heated area for the wipers;
• a head-up display, which projects information such as your speed onto the glass.

Two vehicles of the same model can have different windshields depending on the trim. That is why we ask for the vehicle identification number (VIN): it lets us order the right glass the first time.

Where to find your VIN

The VIN has 17 characters, letters and numbers. According to the Insurance Bureau of Canada, it is usually stamped on a plate on the dashboard, on the driver's side, which you can read through the windshield, and at the bottom of the driver's door pillar. It also appears on the vehicle's ownership document and on your proof of insurance, the "pink slip". It is shown on your registration certificate as well.

How it works at our Laval shop

For a chip

Book online, Monday to Friday, on our appointment page by choosing windshield chip repair and the number of chips; the length of the appointment and the amount to pay are shown when you book. Repairability is confirmed at the shop before work begins: if the impact cannot be repaired, we explain why and offer you a replacement quote.

For a crack or a replacement

Request a windshield quote. The form asks for your contact details, the year, make and model of the vehicle, and the VIN if you have it. Describe the damage and your vehicle's features in the details field. Our team confirms the price and the availability of the glass before anything is booked; with your approval, we then set the appointment at our shop, Monday to Friday.

If your vehicle has a driver assistance camera, say so: after a replacement, manufacturers often require this camera to be recalibrated. At Liqui Pneus, this recalibration is included in the replacement price.

What about insurance?

Glass breakage falls under the part of your policy that covers damage to your own vehicle, which is optional in Quebec. Depending on your coverage, a deductible may apply, and it is not always the same for a repair and for a replacement. Before having the work done, notify your insurer. Our guide Windshields and car insurance in Quebec lists the questions to ask. For our part, we give you a detailed invoice for the work.

In short

• Small chip, away from the edge and outside the line of sight: have it repaired quickly.
• Crack: at Liqui Pneus, it means a replacement, on quote with your VIN.
• Impact in the line of sight, on the edge, or several impacts close together: a replacement is generally the safer choice.
• In every case, an inspection of the glass at the shop confirms the decision.

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