When we ask which side of your vehicle needs service, we often use the terms “driver’s side” and “passenger’s side”. “Left” refers to the driver’s side and “Right” refers to the passenger’s side. Left and Right are determined when you are sitting inside the vehicle looking forward and not when you are standing at the front of the vehicle.
There are many new features in today’s auto glass. If you are looking for additional information about terminology used in the auto glass industry, scroll through the list below for explanations of the most common auto glass terms.
A-Pillar: The A-Pillar is the roof support member that is adjacent to the windshield.
Adhesion: Adhesion is the clinging or sticking together of two surfaces, especially dissimilar substances like glass and metal. The state in which two surfaces are held together by forces that interface.
Adhesive: Adhesive is any substance, inorganic or organic, natural or synthetic that is capable of bonding other substances together by surface attachment. The bonding agent used to adhere replacement auto glass to your vehicle. polyurethane product designed to bond glass to painted metal that is both strong and flexible. Its strength is measured in two ways: tensile and lap shear. Typical auto glass adhesives achieve tensile strengths of 1000 psi and lap shear strengths of 500 psi.
AGRSS: AGRSS is the acronym for the Automotive Glass Replacement Safety Standards (AGRSS™ ) Council Inc, (AGRSS™ ) who are a not-for-profit organization that are dedicated to the safe replacement of auto glass. AGRSS™ was founded and is supported by companies in the auto glass replacement industry that keep safe installation as their primary goal.
ANSI: ANSI is an acronym for the American National Standard Institute, which is a private, non-profit organization that coordinates a voluntary consensus standardization system.
Antenna: An Antenna is a conductor by which electromagnetic waves are sent out or received, consisting commonly of a wire or set of wires.
Anti-Theft Vehicles: Anti-Theft Vehicles are vehicles that equipped with an anti-theft device or with laminated tempered glass, which prevent breaking. glass that is made of laminated glass & tempered glass sandwiched together to help prevent smash & grab theft.
Auto Glass: Auto Glass is glass that is specifically manufactured for use in an automobile. Auto glass is either a tempered glass, such as a door glass, or back glass; or a laminated glass, such as a windshield, both types of auto glass are used as safety devices in the automobile.
Acoustic Inter layer- Glass having a thicker than normal vinyl laminate for noise reduction.
Butyl- An adhesive / sealant that was the primary material used to bond car windshields in the 60′s and 70′s. Achieves lap shear strengths of only about 13 psi.
B-Pillar: A B-Piller is the roof support member that is immediately behind driver door glass.
Backlite: The backlite is the back glass or back car window
Bug: A bug is a trademark or logo that is sandblasted or painted on glass that provides manufacturer information.
Bruise: A bruise is a small crack which starts at a chipped edge of a windshield.
Buss Bars: Buss bars are metal conductors that are on heated back glass wiring.
Ceramic Frit: Ceramic frit is a ceramic paint band that is baked onto edge of glass.
CHMSL The CHMSL that is pronounced chim ‘sel is the Center High Mounted Safety Light, additional brake light that is mandated by federal law and is mounted at eye level on all vehicles that were produced since 1987. The CHMSL is often integrated into, or in direct contact with the backlite.
Combination Crack: A combination crack is a type of windshield damage that is often repairable when less than a quarter in diameter.
Cure: To cure is to set up or harden by means of a chemical reaction.
Cure Time: The cure time is the time required for a chemical reaction or material to dry set at a given temperature; it varies with the type of material used and the thickness of the product, etc.
Cutout: Cutout is the process of precisely cutting out and removing a damaged windshield.
Delamination: Delamination occurs when glass separates from the vinyl inner layer (also known as Unbonded Area, or oil blow).
Distortion: Distortion is defect in an auto glass part which causes a haze, ripple, wave or other visual imperfection.
Dot Matrix Pattern: The dot matrix pattern is the paint band style graduated.
Dot Matrix Shade- The traditional gradient shade band in the laminate is replaced by a dot matrix frit across the top of the windshield. These little black dots are painted onto one of the glass surfaces.
D.O.T. Number: The D.O.T. Number is a Department of Transportation Code that refers to the manufacturer of the part and must be displayed within the bug according to federal law.
Drive-Away Time: Drive-Away Time is the safe drive-away time (SDAT) that defines the amount of time that your car is required to remain out of service until the auto glass part installed can properly operate as a safety device.
Drop Cloth: A Drop cloth a protective blanket used by installer to protect the car finish during an installation. Also known as a hood cover or fender cover.
Diversity Antenna- Combines the reception from 2 or more antennas on the vehicle. They work together to achieve superior radio reception. Usually appears as a thin brown or orange line inside the glass
Electrochromic Mirror- Also known as Auto-Dim Mirror. A rear view mirror that senses light and automatically dims.
Encapsulated- A glass part that has a molding bonded to the window. Sometimes at the top only, and sometimes around three or four sides of the glass. Encapsulation may contain hardware such as fasteners, clips, gaskets, etc.
FMVSS: FMVSS is the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards that is set by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which details the safety criteria manufacturers must meet in order to conform to regulations.
Fender Cover: The fender is the protective blanket that is used by installer to protect the car finish during an installation. Also known as a hood cover or drop cloth.
Filler Strip: A filler strip a strip inserted into a rubber gasket after the glass is installed to force the gasket against the glass to form a seal and keep the glass in place. Also known as a locking strip.
Flat Laminated Glass: Flat Laminated Glass is glass that is sold in sheets to be cut to fit a variety of openings.
Float Glass: Float Glass is a method of flat glass manufacture in which molten glass is fed into a float bath of molten tin.
Frit: See ceramic frit - The black painted border around the perimeter of the glass. This painted area serves two purposes. First is aesthetics, it just looks better. Second, it blocks the sun’s rays from deteriorating the adhesive that structurally bonds the glass to the vehicle.
Heated Wiper Park Area- Windshield contains heater grids across the lower part of the glass where the wipers rest. Usually visible as brown or grey lines running horizontally at the base of the windshield.
High Modulus Adhesives- High modulus is a rigidity requirement of cured adhesive. It measures the ability of the adhesive to withstand a variety of stresses and still return to its original form. High modulus adhesives are stiffer than normal adhesives.
HUD- Heads up display. Some of your vehicle’s key instrumentation is flashed up onto the bottom of the windshield. This allows drivers to check speed, etc. without having to take their eyes off of the road.
Gasket: A gasket is a channel or frame, usually made of rubber, which holds glass parts in place.
Glass Color: Almost all auto glass is tinted with a specific color, which is typically blue, green, gray or brown. To determine which color is in your vehicle, simply hold a piece of white paper behind your auto glass.
Glass Composition: Glass Composition refers to the chemical and physical makeup of glass type.
Hairline Crack: A hairline crack is a long crack in a windshield that resembles a single piece of hair.
Haze: A haze is a cloudy defect in auto glass.
Headliner: The headliner is the fabric which lines a vehicle’s passenger compartment roof.
Heads-Up Display (HUD): A heads-up display feature in a windshield will allow the dashboard measurements to be projected up on the glass to prevent the driver from having to look away from the road to monitor vehicle performance.
Heated Backlite: A heated backlite is a back glass with defroster gridlines printed on the glass to defrost or defog the back glass.
Infrared (IR): Infrared is part of the light spectrum. Wavelengths of infrared light are responsible for heat gain inside a vehicle.
Installation: Installation is the process of removing a damaged piece of auto glass and replacing it with a good one.
Interchange: Interchange is an auto glass part that can directly replace another auto glass part, by having exactly the same dimensions.
Keyless Entry: The keyless entry of a vehicle is a feature that has an antenna on the rear windshield for the keyless entry system.
Laminated Glass: Laminated glass is any glass construction with a plastic/ PVB layer between two pieces of glass typically used in windshield applications. All front windshields are made of laminated glass. Properly installed windshields cushion an occupant’s head during impact, act as a backboard for the airbags, and provide structural roof support in an accident./
Light Sensor: A Light Sensor is a sensor, usually located in the windshield that senses the absence of light and turns the headlights on.
Lite: Lite is another term for a pane or a finished piece of glass.
Laser Deletion Area- a solar coated glass that has a small area without coating to allow lasers to work through the glass.
Mirror Button: A Mirror Button is used to hold rear-view mirror on windshield.
Modular Glass: A modular glass is a glass part that has a molding or assembly attached to it. Also known as encapsulated glass.
Molding: Molding is a preformed rubber piece that covers the windshields edges in the vehicle. it purpose and use is to make the edge of the glass look pretty.
MSDS: MSDS is an acronym for Material Safety Data Sheet. An MSDS is a data Sheet that is required by law to accompany the sale of chemical products and other materials defined as hazardous on demand.
NAGS: NAGS is an acronym for National Auto Glass Specifications, Inc which assigns auto glass part numbers and auto used industry wide.
Night Vision- An infrared camera mounted on the vehicle which detects objects further ahead than headlights, and displays the images on a section of the windshield.
Nonconductive Adhesives- Standard autoglass adhesives are inherently conductive due to the presence of carbon. Nonconductive adhesives are low in carbon and change high frequency antenna impedance. Sensitive electronic signals in some luxury cars require specialized nonconductive adhesive to maintain optimal operating levels.
O.E.M.- Original Equipment Manufacturer
Paint Band: The paint band is a black or grey paint band on the perimeter of glass that is used to hide all the perimeter mechanics when installed in the vehicle. Typically ceramic.
Partition Glass: A partion glass is a divider between the front seat area and the back seat area, which is common in limousines.
Pinchweld: A pinchweld is a metal flange extending from the body of an automobile into the opening for auto glass parts from the side
pillars and roof. This is the part of the vehicle frame where the adhesive is applied to bond the glass to the vehicle.
PVB- is an acronym for Poly Vinyl Butyral that is a Vinyl inner layer of laminated glass. The vinyl layer between the two pieces of glass that make up a front windshield.
(PVC)- PVC is an acronym for Poly Vinyl Chloride that is a thermoplastic resin used for making moldings. Can also be used to encapsulate glass.
Press Bending: Press bending is glass is heated and pressed between a “male” and “female” mold to form the correct configuration.
Primer: Primer is a material used to prepare auto glass surfaces for bonding to insure strong installation bond.
Privacy Glass: Privacy glass is dark glass used behind the B-Pillar on vans and sport utility vehicles to prevent looking in. Also reduces ultraviolet and infrared rays and improves appearance.
Rain Sensor- A sensor usually located near the windshield’s rear view mirror that senses rain and activates the wipers.
Safe Drive Away Time- Actually, it should be called “Safe Crash Time”. The elapsed time after a front windshield installation that a vehicle would safely pass all the appropriate rollover and roof crush requirements. One hour minimum.
Solar or Solar Absorbing- Glass that blocks out harmful ultraviolet and infrared rays thereby reducing the sun’s damage and keeping the inside of the vehicle cooler.
Solar Coated- During the manufacturing process, the inside surface of the outer layer of Non-Solar glass is coated with UV reflective film before the inner layer (PVB) is sandwiched between the outer and inner layers of glass.
Quarter Glass: The quarter glass, which is often triangular in shape, is glass found on the side of the vehicle closest to the back glass. Also known as quarterlite.
Rain Sensor: A rain sensor is a sensor that is usually located on the windshield that senses rain and turns the wipers on automatically.
Rear Windshield: The rear windshield stretches across the rear of the vehicle at the trunk or tailgate. It is also referred to as the back glass or backlite.
Repair: Repair refers to a windshield repair which uses a resin and vacuum technique that is used to seal damage in a windshield and prevent it from spreading.
Resin: Resin is a clear liquid hardener used in rock chip or crack repair of a windshield. Once it has filled the chip or crack, it is cured with ultraviolet light to prevent further damage to the windshield.
Reveal Molding: Reveal molding is chrome or plastic molding that fits over and covers the edges of a windshield or back glass.
Screen Print: Screen print is a method for applying paint band or monograms to glass by the silk screening process.
Shade Band: See shaded glass.
Shaded Glass: Shaded glass is a windshield to which a darker color has been added to the top section of the inner vinyl layer to improve driver visibility in glare.
Sliders: Sliders are a window and frame assembly which is generally used as the back auto glass for pick-up trucks, but can also be on
vans. The window opens by sliding in a track within the frame assembly.
Solar Glass: Solar Glass is glass that blocks out the sun’s harmful infrared and UV rays to protect the automobile interior, and keeps vehicle cooler.
Spider Crack: A Spider Crack is glass damage with several crack lines projecting from one impact point. Spider cracks occur on windshields only.
Structural Integrity: Structural Integrity is the ability of your vehicle to retain roof strength and structure during a rollover.
T Part: The T Part is flat laminated or tempered part with assigned NAGS number and cutting pattern (also known as DT, FT, DL or FL parts)
Tempered Glass: Tempered Glass is an extra stong piece of glass that is made by rapid cooling and can be used for all vehicle glass except
the windshield.
Tinted Glass: Tinted Glass is glass to which a small amount of color has been added consistently throughout the glass.
Tinting Film: Tinting Film is a plastic film of varying darkness, which is adhered to glass to simulate privacy glass.
Toughened Part: Toughened Part is the English term for a tempered part.
Ultraviolet light (UV): Ultraviolet light is part of the light spectrum that is used is used during the windshield repair process.
Urethane: Urethane is a powerful adhesive used to bond the glass to the frame of the vehicle.
Vehicle Make: The Vehicle Make is the brand of vehicle that you drive. Examples are Acura, Chrysler, Ford, GMC, Infinity or Toyota.
Vehicle Model: Vehicle Model is the type of vehicle that you drive. Examples are the Acura Integra, Ford Mustang or Toyota Camry.
Vent: The vent glass is glass found on the side of the vehicle which opens with the vehicle doors.
V.I.N. : V.I.N. is the acronym for the Vehicle Identification Number, or VIN that is a unique 17-digit number assigned to each vehicle that identifies year, make, model, etc.
V.I.N. Notch: The V.I.N. Notch is a cut away in the paint band on a windshield hat is used to reveal VIN plate on vehicle dash board.
Windscreen: Windscreen is the English term for windshield.
Windshield: A windshield is a piece of laminated glass used to protect the inside of the vehicle from the elements, as well as promote the structural integrity of the vehicle.
Windshield Repair: Windshield repair is a technique that is used to repair damage in a windshield, such as a crack, nick, chip or ding.