Tips to Consider When Buying Aftermarket Glass for Heavy Equipment

Glass for heavy equipment is intended to protect the vehicle's occupants, provide better vision for the operator(s), and support whatever other special features or functions are required. For example, armored glass may be specially formulated to resist penetration by projectiles, while laminated glass may be able to withstand the high pressures created in an explosion. Therefore, replacement windshields should not omit any features included with the original glass. Doing so could put vehicle occupants at risk. Here are tips to consider when buying aftermarket glass for heavy equipment.

1) Consider your specific needs.

Aftermarket glass is intended to be a direct replacement for original equipment manufactured (OEM) glass. Aftermarket buyers should not expect secondary functionality from the replacement glass, such as hybrid or impact-resistant films. While several films sold in aftermarket markets are lab tested and approved for various applications, neither OEM manufacturers have endorsed the films themselves nor the testing procedures used to measure their performance.

When replacing a broken window by fabricating trucks and trailers, it's always advisable to take a few minutes and consider whether there is a better option than simply replacing the broken pane with a piece of clear tempered glass - regardless of which manufacturer provides it. In cases when fabricators replace an entire window with a clear replacement, the cost of the window and installation time may be nearly as expensive as simply purchasing an entirely new window unit.

2) Quality

When purchasing an aftermarket part, you want to compare the price to an OEM (Original Equipment Manufacturer) or factory-made replacement. Quality should be your number one factor, because if the window part is poorly made, it will not function properly and probably will not even last as long as a factory-made replacement would. The best advice for saving money on aftermarket parts is to find out how much a new factory-made replacement would cost before deciding on whether or not it's worth putting up with subpar quality for a lower price tag.

3) Product warranty

Some companies have a warranty for their products, but it might not be the same as the one from the OEM. The firm you buy your glass from should give you a detailed description of what isn't covered under their warranty. You also need to find out if there is a guarantee of being an accurate match with your vehicle's original equipment specifications. While rare, it happens sometimes. The chance of this happening increases when buying aftermarket parts online instead of directly from a local supplier who would have been able to verify the accuracy before selling the product to you. If there isn't any guarantee, then you should think twice about buying that product.

4) Look closely at the installation method

OEMs usually use custom equipment when installing their glass during construction or manufacturing. That is important because replacement windows require special tools for proper installation - which leads to another consideration when buying aftermarket glass: not all replacement windows are cut with precision machinery designed to meet OEM specifications. Several manufacturers offer their products pre-cut and ready to install into existing frames. In contrast, others offer replacement panes that must be ground down by hand using diamond discs to fit within existing frames. Regardless of the kind of heavy equipment you have on hand, ensure it's compatible with the brand of replacement glass you're considering.