BlueSkyAutoGlass.com partners with quality auto glass shops across the nation. These shops upload their pricing and profile information into our system, and are matched automatically to your location and vehicle information when you fill out our easy form to get an instant online quote. You can call the shop closest to you schedule or for more information, or submit an online service request, which allows the shop you’ve chosen to contact you to schedule an appointment.

The quotes on BlueSkyAutoGlass.com are just estimates until you speak with a representative of the glass shop you’re choosing. There are so many options on vehicles these days, as many as 20 or more for some windshields and back windshields/back glass, that sometimes the prices may not be accurate for your specific vehicle. It’s best if you submit your information or call the shop directly to ensure you receive a finalized quote. The auto glass shop will walk you through the process of correctly identifying your windshield options.

Windshields, back glass, vent glass, door glass, quarter glass, sliders, etc. It depends on the shop. Many also offer windshield repair, so talk to your chosen auto glass shop about this option. Insurance companies suggest that your windshield be replaced if the damage is in the direct line of view of the driver, or if it is larger than 6 inches, or about the size of a dollar bill.

BlueSkyAutoGlass.com shops usually use what’s known as “OEM distributor” glass. This means that your new glass will be made to the same specifications as originally installed by the factory, with the exception of the dealer’s logo—which OEM distributor glass doesn’t have.

In many cases yes however, to fully warranty the auto glass and the installation, an auto glass shop must receive the glass directly from a trusted auto glass manufacturer or distributor.

Some BlueSkyAutoGlass.com shops are willing to sell you just the glass, but some are not. For safety, quality, and warranty reasons, it is recommended that a professional auto glass technician install your auto glass. And since BlueSkyAutoGlass.com provides quotes from auto glass replacement shops rather than auto glass distributors, many shops won’t sell just the glass. Ask your chosen shop, and see if they are willing to.

Mobile auto glass replacement is a trade where a technician often encounters unexpected situations. As a mobile installer travels from vehicle to vehicle, he can run into delays. Some vehicle auto glass is very difficult to replace and a normal install can run longer than anticipated. Almost every auto glass company gives you a two to four-hour window of time when they’ll show up. We do our very best to get your job done as soon as possible.

A good auto glass installer spends the time to provide a safe installation. Sometimes he needs to take a little extra time. If your vehicle is in good condition, your windshield replacement should take from 30 minutes to an hour, depending on the vehicle. Then you’ll need to wait until the urethane bonding the windshield has set, which could be another few hours. Door glass replacements take 30-60 minutes, and you can drive your car immediately afterward, as there is no urethane involved. Back windshields and non-door side glass (except for trucks with liftgates, where the glass comes with the frame attached and simply bolts on) have to cure just like a windshield, but the cure time is much shorter.

Usually a back glass replacement doesn’t require the urethane to setup after completing the installation. This allows you to get back on the road immediately following the work to your rear window. Average cost for a new piece of back glass is $200 and up. You can expect installation to take between 30 to 60 minutes–similar to a windshield replacement.

You have a cracked windshield, and it needs to be replaced. You’ve gotten your windshield replacement quote from BlueSkyAutoGlass.com and are ready to call the shop to get your appointment scheduled. The following are things your auto glass shop will ask. Take a look at your vehicle or call your dealer if needed so you’ll have this information ready:

1) Your vehicle’s year, make, and model.

The correct year, make, and model will ensure that the right piece of auto glass is ordered and brought to your appointment.

2) Your auto glass features.

A feature can be anything from a tint color to a rain sensor, depending on your vehicle. Some features, mainly on specialty vehicles such as BMWs or Jaguars, can only be determined by your dealer. All you have to do in that case is call your dealer with your vehicle identification number (VIN) and they can tell you all the options on your specific vehicle. Some auto glass shops will even call your dealer for you. The most common features that BlueSkyAutoGlass.com customers are unsure about are shadebands, electrochromic mirrors, and rain sensors.

Shadeband
This is a noticeable colored tint located at the very top of your windshield that comes down about 5-6 inches. (Note: it’s not the pattern of black dots or the black strip that runs around the entire windshield. This black strip is just to protect the seal from being damaged by the sun’s UV rays.) The shadeband actually helps screen your eyes from the sun.

Electrochromic Mirror
This is a rear-view mirror that automatically dims when it senses bright headlights. The mirror glass has a greenish tint. The easiest way to tell if you have this feature is to look for a toggle button on the bottom of the mirror. If you have this toggle button, you do not have an electrochromic mirror.

Rain Sensor
Not sure if your windshield has an automatic rain sensor? If you turn your windshield wipers to the “intermittent” setting and they either a) come on automatically when it rains, or b) adjust speed based on the amount of rain or your vehicle’s speed, then you have this feature. Still not sure? Try turning your car on, switching the wipers to intermittent, and spraying water anywhere on the windshield with a squirt bottle. If the wipers activate, you have a rain sensor.

3) Insurance information.

If you have full coverage insurance, your auto glass replacement will likely be covered under your policy. Most auto glass shops will help you file your claim and take care of all the paperwork for you. All you need is the name of your insurance provider, policy number, when the damage happened (an approximate date is OK), and the auto glass shop will help you with the rest.

4) Scheduling.

If you’re getting a mobile installation, your technician won’t be able to give you an exact appointment time, so it’s helpful for scheduling if you have one or two days in mind when you are most available. Installations can be done at your home, work, or anywhere you choose—but to ensure your appointment is taken care of on the scheduled date, you’ll need to park your vehicle in one location for much of the day.

Since you’re shopping for a new windshield we mapped out for windshield replacement process. So here’s what happens at a basic installation. If your windshield is equipped with special features, such as heating elements or a rain sensor, then there may be additional steps:

1) Prepping Your Vehicle For Installation

Before the technician removes your windshield, he will set up his work area to make sure your vehicle is not damaged in the process. He’ll outline your windshield with protective tape and place towels on top of the dash and over your hood. He’ll also remove your windshield wipers and rear view mirror, and detach and move the cowl (that’s the piece at the base of your windshield).

2) Removing The Old Windshield

To begin removing your old windshield, the technician first unfastens the molding-the strip of chrome and/or rubber that provides an extra seal between the windshield and the vehicle (older automobiles will likely have molding around the entire windshield, some newer vehicles have less or none). Sometimes the molding can be reused, but often it must be replaced.

Your installer will use a special knife to cut through the urethane adhesive keeping your current windshield in place and push the windshield out of the frame. Since the removal requires brute force, usually the windshield cracks considerably, it’s part of the process. The technician will store the old windshield glass in his vehicle to be recycled, so you don’t have to worry about disposing of it.

3) Preparing The New Windshield For Installation

After the old glass is out of the frame, the installer will use what’s called the “full cut” method to strip the old urethane down as close as possible to the metal frame, allowing the new urethane to bond properly to the frame and windshield. With the old urethane gone, the technician will prime both the frame and new windshield surfaces. This ensures that no contamination occurs-preventing leaks and ensuring a strong bond-so the new windshield meets the same safety standards as the original factory-installed windshield.

4) Installing Your New Windshield

Your technician now “dry sets” the windshield, lowering it into place to mark exactly where it will fit, since the windshield shouldn’t be moved around once the urethane has been applied. Using a special attachment to a caulking gun-type tool, the installer will then apply the adhesive to the appropriate surfaces. He will carefully place the new windshield into the opening, using the marks he made earlier in the process as guides. When your installer is working with your new windshield, he wears disposable gloves to avoid contaminating the edge of the windshield with his bare hands.

5) The Final Steps
After the windshield has been installed, your installer will then install your molding, cowl, rear view mirror, and windshield wipers. He’ll clean up any broken glass or debris in and around your vehicle.

6) A Safe Drive-Away Time
The installation is finished, but your vehicle isn’t ready to drive yet. First, the urethane must fully harden, or “cure.” The amount of time this takes depends on the kind of urethane used, the temperature, and the humidity. Your installer will calculate a safe “drive-away” time for you.

After your installer is completely finished with the windshield installation, he should have some paperwork for you to sign. If you’re not around for the installation, he should leave the paperwork in your car, as well as a tag letting you know when you can drive your car.

You may also notice that one or two of your vehicle’s windows have been left open a crack. That’s so that if you open or close your door before the urethane has fully cured, the changing air pressure inside the car won’t dislodge the windshield.

7) It’s all Blue Sky Again!
When properly installed, your new auto glass will meet the safety specifications of the original factory-installed windshield.