How to Recognise an Athermic Windshield?
An athermic windshield is a type of car glass that includes technology to improve the thermal insulation of the passenger compartment and limit heat build-up when the car is in the sun for a long time. This type of glass has become more widely available over time, and you may already have it in your car. But how can you tell if you have an athermic windshield, and how do you recognize it? Sekurit Partner can explain it to you.
Advantages of an Athermic Windshield
An athermic windshield is a type of glass that is not a heat conductor due to its composition. It's made of multiple layers of glass that are lined with multiple titanium or silver foils, which provide many advantages.
One of the main advantages of an athermic windshield is that it protects the passenger compartment from heat build-up. When a vehicle is parked in the sun for a long time, the interior can become extremely hot, making it uncomfortable or even dangerous to touch certain surfaces, such as the steering wheel or gearstick. However, with an athermic windshield, the heat is blocked from entering the passenger compartment, which reduces the risk of burns or discomfort.
Another benefit of this type of glass is that it helps to reduce the need for air conditioning, which in turn reduces fuel consumption. By blocking heat from entering the passenger compartment, the air conditioning system doesn't have to work as hard to keep the interior cool, which saves fuel and reduces emissions.
However, there is one particularity you need to be aware of when using an athermic windshield. Due to its composition, this type of glass blocks the passage of infrared rays and GPS signals. As a result, the manufacturer provides a zone made of standard glass in the area around the rear-view mirror, outside your field of vision. This means that the athermic zone of the windshield doesn't fill the entire windshield. Therefore, it's important to place any electronic toll tags or other devices in this area to ensure that they function properly.
How to Recognise an Athermic Windshield?
There are various features by which you can recognise an athermic windshield with the naked eye. These include a violet, blue, or petrol blue reflection characteristic of this type of glass, a thermometer icon usually placed above the windshield wiper in a corner of the athermic windshield, and dotted lines that indicate the untreated part of the athermic zone of the windshield through which radio waves and infrared can pass.
Can an Athermic Windshield Be Repaired?
An athermic windshield can be repaired, but it's best to go to a professional to avoid increasing the disruption caused by the damage and reducing your visibility and safety. Sekurit Partner is a specialist in repairing and replacing athermic glass since 1991, and we can recognize an athermic windshield right away and repair or replace it with the same kind of glass. The work is covered by your insurance's glass breakage warranty (excluding any excess). Trust Sekurit Partner for your athermic windshield needs.