Fiberglass can be considered a relatively new material in the grand scheme of things. However, it has many useful properties that have made it an important part of many things that we use. Its high strength and light-weight have resulted in it now being used to make parts of cars, planes and boats. There are even cars and planes with bodies made almost entirely of fiberglass. Some people will recommend that you use fiberglass to cover your windows after a break-in, due to their transparency and resemblance to glass. However, how good a replacement would fiberglass be for a broken car window?
Characteristics of Fiberglass
If you're thinking of using fiberglass as a replacement for your car window, you may want to know about properties such as:
The Problem with Fiberglass as a Window
Despite its many good qualities, manufacturers haven't rushed to replace the regular glass windows with fiberglass. This is because, despite the good qualities, fiberglass is limited in several key aspects:
Visibility: Because fiberglass is made from a combination of glass fibers and resin, it lacks a similar level of transparency to regular glass. Although it can be made more clear by using certain resins, it's still nowhere near the desired level.
Safety: Automotive glass has undergone a lot of changes to reduce the danger it poses in case of an accident. Broken pieces of glass in an accident can be a serious hazard. Fiberglass hasn't undergone similar improvement to make it safer.
The Verdict
Fiberglass can be used as a form of temporary barrier in case your car window is broken. The speed with which it can be prepared makes it convenient if you're in a location where you can't get what you need. However, it can't be used as a permanent replacement. Get your car to an auto glass replacement shop and install a new window as soon as possible.