Windscreen Features
More than just glass
There are many different types of windscreen. National Windscreens PartscheckTM system takes account of many features and technology options when repairing or replacing a windscreen, ensuring we get glass selection right first time. These features can include: acoustic glass; ADAS cameras; demisting and rain sensors; heads up display; heated; solar reflective; tinted and more.
When we replace your windscreen we will calibrate your windscreen mounted ADAS camera at the same time; making sure your vehicle safety systems are working as intended. ADAS features are covered in detail on our dedicated ADAS page:
ADAS Camera CalibrationTinted Windscreens
To see if your glass is tinted, lower one of the door windows halfway, if you can, and hold a piece of white paper to the rear of the glass so that it is half covered by the glass and half exposed. Look for any obvious variation in colour.
Top Tinted Windscreens
This is a strip of darker tinting across the top 150mm or so of the windscreen. It’s there to help reduce the glare from bright, especially low, sun. This strip can be a green, blue, grey or bronze coloured tint.
Heated Windscreens
Unlike the more obvious heating elements in a rear window those in a windscreen are very fine. Look for very fine wavy lines that run top to bottom across the width of the screen these are the heating elements. The elements are usually in two parts and there may be a gap at each side as well as a slightly larger gap down the centre of the screen. Some modern vehicles have a heated interlayer which has gives the glass a different hue (green/pink effect) from the outside.
Solar Reflective Windscreens
These are screens that have a special coating between the PVB (plastic) interlayer and the outer pane of the windscreen. Most solar coated screens appear to have a slightly different hue to them (the mauve/pink of some Renault screens is a more obvious example). These screens help reflect UV light from the sun’s rays which in turn increases the efficiency of the air conditioning system, reduces the degradation of interior trim and improved fuel efficiency.
Automatic Rain Sensors
This is a system that automatically detects rain as it hits the windscreen. Usually set via a switch on the steering column, a rain sensor means that the speed of the wipers will adjust automatically from stop to full speed according to how hard rain is falling. The sensor is fitted behind or near to the internal rear view mirror. Rain landing on the screen causes a change in the angle of the light hitting the sensor which in turn activates a switch and triggers the wipers. The harder it rains the faster the wipers operate.
VIN Notch
A space in the paint band makes it possible to see the Vehicle Identification Number (VIN) from the outside. Usually located at the bottom of the passenger side of the windscreen.
Windscreen Antennae
Thin metallic line located in or on the surface of the windscreen. If your vehicle doesn’t have an exterior antenna, there is probably one in or on the windscreen. However, a small number of vehicles have both.Sometimes these are located within the heated rear window, or rear quarter glasses. Some vehicle manufacturers build the antenna for various systems into the windscreen, heated rear window or rear quarter glass. The systems can include GPS, Mobile phone, DAB and FM radio, also aerial and amplifiers to boost the signal from key/alarm fobs. This keeps the vehicle streamlined without any unsightly aerials protruding from the bodywork, this also lessens the risk of damage to the vehicle.
Head-Up Displays (HUDs)
Still a relatively rare option the Head-Up Display or HUD is an aircraft style system of projecting key driving information on to the lower section of the windscreen directly in the driver’s field of vision. Speed, signal and other driver information is projected onto the windscreen.
Heated Wipers
To determine if a vehicle has a heated wiper park, look for brownish lines running back and forth along the bottom 150mm or so of the windscreen i.e. the area in which the vehicle wipers come to rest.
Automatic Light Sensors
A sensor detects changes in light levels automatically turning on a vehicle’s headlights when light is low which in turn adds to driver safety. The light sensor system is fitted behind or near to the internal rear view mirror and is sometimes combined with a rain sensor. It will turn on the dipped headlights whenever conditions demand, for example when driving through a tunnel. The vehicle headlights must be switched to ‘auto’ for the light sensor to work. Lights will turn off automatically once the vehicle is back in the light. Note - if your vehicle has day running lights these will not be controlled by the sensor.
AQUACONTROL SekuritTM
AQUACONTROL is a Hydrophobic Glazing which provide improved best visibility under heavy rain by cause rain droplets to slide away easier.
Ceramic Bands
Modern windscreen glass has a black ceramic or enamel band (sometimes called the frit) around the periphery which is baked onto the internal surface of the glass. The band has an etched surface to enable special windscreen adhesives to adhere to the glass, as well as acting as UV light protection for the adhesive preventing it from deteriorating over time. This black band includes a border of dots. Some windscreens also use the dots as a third sun visor to block the sun behind the rear view mirror where most visors don’t reach.
PVB Cutout for Toll Booth Readers
Polyvinyl butyral (PVB) is a thermoplastic that is used as an interlayer in the manufacturing of glass windscreens to provide strength. Cutting out the PVB coating allows a toll booth tag to be read by the booth scanner, making this a good option for regular users of tolls.
CLIMACOAT SekuritTM
CLIMACOAT is an invisible metallic coating inside the glass that can be heated via electricity and used to de-ice or de-mist the windscreen.
Acoustic Windscreens
Noise is transmitted through the vehicle’s glazing and comes from several sources.
- Air-pressure fluctuations against the windshield at highway speeds.
- Air impinging on the edges of the vehicle’s body panels.
- Other vehicles and environmental noise.
- Road noise and vibration; this is also transmitted through the body structure. Suppliers have developed vinyl interlayers with improved acoustic-damping qualities to help reduce noise.
Automatic Demisting Sensors
Also known as fog sensors, turn on the air conditioning automatically when the sensors detect moisture on the glass, often caused by the moisture coming from the driver and passengers of the vehicle.
Lightweight and Noise Insulated Glass
This glass features an extra layer of PVB to provide (glass, two layers of PVB, and then glass). The additional layer of PVB film provides acoustic properties that absorb much of the oscillation of the glass, helping to reduce the noise inside the vehicle.
GPS Navigation System Antenna
This satellite-based radio navigation technology helps to provide the exact location of your vehicle. It also acts as a transmitter for mobile phone calls, DAB radio, and the use of key fobs.
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