When we think about car care, we might forget about the glass in our vehicles. But the glass in our cars and RVs is super important for safety, seeing clearly, and staying comfortable. Let’s look at how RV glass and regular auto glass are different!
What Are They Used For?
Regular auto glass is made for cars like sedans, SUVs, and hatchbacks. It needs to be good for seeing clearly and keeping you safe while driving fast on the road.
RV glass is made for recreational vehicles, which are much bigger and have different needs. Since RVs often have living spaces and big windows for great views, RV glass helps keep the inside cozy and quiet.
Safety and Toughness
Both RV and regular auto glass are built to keep you safe, but they do it in different ways. Regular car windshields are made from laminated glass. This means there’s a layer of plastic sandwiched between two layers of glass. If it gets hit, it cracks into small, safe pieces instead of sharp shards.
RV glass, especially in the living areas, is usually tempered glass. It’s treated with heat to make it stronger. When it breaks, it shatters into tiny, rounded pieces that are less likely to hurt you. However, RV windshields and driver windows are often laminated, just like regular car windows, for extra safety.
Size and Shape
RVs have big and unusual windows that you won’t find in regular cars. For example, many RVs have large panoramic windows to enjoy the view. They also have various types of glass, like sliding windows or multi-pane systems, to fit their unique design.
Installing and replacing RV glass can be trickier and more expensive than regular auto glass. Because RV glass comes in so many shapes and sizes, special tools and skills are needed. For example, RV windshield replacement in Phoenix might involve unique challenges compared to regular auto glass replacement. Regular auto glass replacement is more straightforward and often costs less.
Keeping Your RV Cozy
RVs are like a home on wheels, so many have special double-glazed or thermal windows to keep the temperature just right inside. This helps save energy and makes your RV more comfortable. Regular cars usually don’t need this kind of insulation because they don’t have living spaces.
To sum it up, while RV and regular auto glass both keep you safe, they differ in how they are used, how they’re installed, their sizes and shapes, and how they help with energy and noise. Knowing these differences helps you take care of your vehicle’s glass properly!