A boat’s windshield works to deflect the air, especially while movement is at full speed. This also protects you from the full blast of wild ocean winds and water when it gets crazy in the open sea. Likewise, windshields safe-proof you from being soaked in sea water or rain while cruising.
Replacing a damaged boat windshield should be dealt with, carefully and immediately. If you’re still clueless, let us help you with these things you should consider knowing first:
The level of damage of your windshield
Cracks and other damages on the windshield each has a story to tell. The rough seas, an extremely windy day, or a strange object knocking it off can be some of the culprits, but it is best to dig deeper and know how these damages actually happened.
Stress and pressure cause a boat’s windshield damage. But different boats belong to different owners, and the level of stress and pressure that a boat endures depends on how an owner uses it. Knowing how these damages occured can help you assess the endurance of your windshield.
Once you’ve seen the root cause, you’ll have an idea about the level of stress and pressure your old windshield’s materials can withstand. The next thing you need to do is to look for a better material replacement, or installation process to avoid these damages from happening again.
Related: Boat Windshield Repair: DIY or Hire a Pro
The proper way to remove the windshield
If you plan to replace your boat windshield yourself, you have to educate yourself on how to properly remove the old windshield from its pane.
The best thing to do is to carefully observe how the windshield is installed. Look for the screws and use a flat-edged screwdriver to pop their plastic caps off properly. Use the same screwdriver in removing all the screws from the frames.
Not all boats would always have the same windshield installation. Some would have to crank the whole frame to be able to remove the damaged glass. That’s why studying how it’s installed first is very crucial. If you’re still not confident about it, you can ask a window glass expert’s advice.
Be extra careful if your windshield’s glass has been severely damaged or has broken into pieces. Shards of broken glass won’t be a breeze to deal with.
The measurements you need to make
Measuring your boat’s frame is an essential part before choosing a glass that will go along with it. Measure across, top to bottom, and each of the crevices so you’d know what kind of glass fittings you should get.
Identifying the correct measurements is crucial in boat windshield installation. It will be helpful in measuring the needed rubber grommets to use as well. Screws should also be taken into consideration as screw holes don’t always come in uniformity.
The best materials to choose
Determining how it was damaged helps a lot in this phase. If your windshield seemed to be damaged without any known reason, it might be because the materials used were substandard.
Your boat windshield’s glass must also be layered and coated with tinting and should come in the right thickness that’s suitable to your boating needs. There will also be better choices for replacement so keep your mind open to new materials that may come in handy.
To avoid the same damages from happening, get help from an expert in determining the best glass to use.
The right people you should ask
There are plenty of boat window glass manufacturers out there. But the best of their kind should know a boat’s needs like the back of their hands.
Related: DIY Boat Restoration in 5 Easy Steps
Backed with years of expertise in the field, us at Peninsula Glass have supplied marine and boat windows with quality in mind. This has earned us a lot of satisfied and loyal customers who still believe in our brand mission.
Tell us what you need, and we’ll guide you with what your boat truly needs. Ask for a quotation, or talk to us today!