Your windshield is so much more than just a piece of glass. Sure, it keeps rain and snow out of your car, but more importantly than that, it’s sophisticated technology which happens to be one of the most effective safety features in your vehicle. It provides support which keeps your roof from crumpling during a rollover as well as supporting the air bag on the passenger side of the vehicle.

To put it simply, your windshield is much too important to skimp on, so when it’s time for a new windshield, the kind of auto glass you choose matters. There are basically two choices: after market auto glass, which is essentially a generic product; and then there is OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) auto glass, which is made by the same manufacturers who produce the auto glass that you’ll find in a brand new vehicle.

What’s the difference? Shops trying to sell you on after market glass will tell you that there is no difference, but that’s not quite the case. Unlike OEM glass, aftermarket glass doesn’t go through the same painstaking research and development process or rigorous quality control, often resulting in an inferior product. You should also keep n mind that using aftermarket auto glass can void your warranty as well as violating the terms of many auto leases. Aftermarket glass may be slightly cheaper in some cases, but the lower quality of this glass means that it’s not a good deal at any price. OEM-quality glass from well known, reputable manufacturers like Pilkington is considered to be the best choice by automotive experts.

Long one of the biggest and best known names in the industry, Pilkington glass is widely respected for its quality and useful features, such as UV-resistant coating which reduces driver and passenger exposure to UV radiation by as much as 30% and reduces internal temperatures inside of the vehicle. It’s also safer due to its durable construction and high quality safety film which holds the glass in place in the event of a break. Its multilayered design also helps to reduce engine and road noise while driving. If you’ve heard of any brand of auto glass, chances are that you’ve heard of Pilkington and there are very good reasons for that.

Even the best auto glass on the market isn’t going to do all that much good unless it’s properly installed by skilled technicians using the industry standard in adhesive systems like Betaseal. Betaseal enables quick and secure installation of windshields and other non-moving auto glass. Combining Betaclean cleaners, Betaprime primers and Betaseal adhesives, the Betaseal system provides a comprehensive solution to glass bonding and installation.

It’s the installation technology of choice for OEM glass and even provides durability specifications which are comparable to OEM and Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards specifications. As a driver, safety is the most important feature of any auto glass installation. When you choose OEM quality windshields and auto glass installed using Betaseal technology, you’re getting the safest, most high performance auto glass replacement available.