Helping You Choose

When you need to replace your car’s windshield, you may face deciding between an OEM (original equipment manufacturer) windshield or an aftermarket /Generic windshield. Often the decision may come down to your insurance provider’s specifications, but at other times the choice may be left up to you. To make an informed decision, you’ll need to know the difference between the two types of windshields. OEM vs Aftermarket / Generic: what should you choose?

A car’s windshield acts as one of its most important safety features during an accident, rollover, or collision. In a collision, a properly installed windshield keeps you in the vehicle and acts as a backboard for the passenger side airbag. In a rollover crash the windshield supports the roof of your vehicle and prevents it from collapsing and injuring the vehicle’s occupants.

Car manufacturers don’t typically make their own windshields. This work is subcontracted to companies that specialize in auto glass. The auto glass company creates windshields and windows according to the car maker’s strict specifications. Since this work is subcontracted, the auto manufacturer continually accepts bids from different glass makers. Often, they will switch glass manufacturers when a lower bid is received, resulting in identical vehicles having glass that is technically manufactured by different companies. By the time, you need to have your windshield replaced, your car’s manufacturer may have switched glass companies, so you will receive an OEM windshield that might have been made by a different company than your original.

An OEM windshield will be identical to the original, factory installed windshield that came with your car when it was brand new. These windshields may not necessarily be manufactured by the company who made the windshield originally installed on your car, but they are identical in almost every way. This glass is manufactured according to your car maker’s very specific regulations, and should match your original in size, shape, and color. The thickness, durability and strength should be identical as well. It’s important to note that the Department of Transportation also certify these windshields, so you can be assured of their safety. Auto glass parts produced by OEM Manufacturers consistently fit better and adhere to the same standards for fit and finish as the glass that is originally installed when the car is built.

There are significant quality differences between original equipment manufactured windshields and aftermarket auto glass. So why then, would anyone go to a shop that uses aftermarket glass when you need to replace your windshield? The aftermarket shops will tell you that their product is the same quality as an OEM windshield. Wrong! Non-OEM auto glass manufacturers make copies of OEM auto glass parts. These copies must vary from the OEM part due to the fact that OEM parts are patented and the designs are protected and trademarked. Non-OEM suppliers must make significant differences in their product so that they do not exactly copy the glass used by Automotive manufacturers to avoid being sued for copyright fraud.

Aftermarket or Generic glass is manufactured by auto glass companies who don’t necessarily contract with specific auto makers. Since these companies are not manufacturing OEM windshields under contract for the auto manufacturer, they don’t have to abide by specific manufacturer guidelines. In fact, due to copyright laws, auto glass companies are prohibited from producing windshields that are identical to the factory-installed versions. Obviously, the size and shape will have to be identical, because otherwise the glass would not fit into your vehicle. However, the thickness, durability and strength may be different.

Many auto glass shops use Aftermarket/Generic parts because they are significantly cheaper to buy. These savings are not always passed along to the consumer, nor is the consumer told the parts being installed are of a lesser quality. It is common after installation for non-OEM or aftermarket parts to have fit and finish problems like air leaks, water leaks and stress cracks.

Like most things, the decision may come down to money. Some Insurance companies may only cover aftermarket glass, because it is less expensive. This leaves the car owner to decide whether they want to pay extra for an OEM windshield.