How Extreme Heat Affects Auto Glass

High temperatures cause materials to expand, and auto glass is no exception. When the sun heats a windshield to extreme levels, even a minor chip can quickly spread into a major crack. Rapid temperature changes—like blasting the air conditioning on a hot day—can also create stress fractures, weakening the glass further.

Why Arizona Drivers Experience More Auto Glass Damage

Arizona’s climate presents several factors that make auto glass in extreme heat more susceptible to damage:

• Intense Sun Exposure: Prolonged sun exposure weakens the structural integrity of windshields over time.
• Drastic Temperature Swings: Going from 110°F outside to a 70°F air-conditioned car creates a pressure imbalance, leading to cracks.
• Dust and Debris: Arizona’s desert environment increases the likelihood of small rocks and debris hitting windshields, further compromising their durability.

Tips to Protect Your Windshield in Arizona’s Heat

To minimize the risk of damage to auto glass in extreme heat, Arizona drivers should consider the following tips:

• Park in the Shade: Whenever possible, park in garages or under shaded areas to reduce direct sun exposure.
• Use a Windshield Sunshade: Reflective sunshades help keep temperatures lower inside the vehicle, preventing rapid expansion and contraction of the glass.
• Avoid Sudden Temperature Changes: Gradually cooling your car instead of blasting the AC can reduce the risk of stress fractures.
• Fix Chips and Cracks Immediately: Even the smallest chip can turn into a major crack under Arizona’s extreme heat. Prompt repairs can save drivers from costly replacements.

Arizona’s extreme heat is tough on auto glass, but with the right precautions, drivers can protect their windshields from unnecessary damage. By staying proactive, Arizona motorists can extend the life of their auto glass and avoid expensive repairs.

Understanding UV Window Tint Protection

Not all window tints offer the same level of UV protection. High-quality films can block up to 99% of harmful UV rays, reducing the risk of skin damage and preventing your car’s upholstery from fading over time. When selecting a tint, look for options labeled as UV-blocking or infrared-reducing.

Best Tint Shades for UV Protection

The effectiveness of UV window tint varies depending on the shade and material:

• Ceramic Tint: Offers superior UV protection while maintaining visibility. It also reduces heat and glare without interfering with electronic signals.
• Carbon Tint: Blocks UV rays effectively and prevents interior fading while providing a sleek, non-reflective finish.
• Dyed Tint: While affordable, it offers less UV protection compared to ceramic and carbon tints.

Legal Considerations for Window Tinting

Before applying a UV window tint, check your state’s regulations regarding visible light transmission (VLT) levels. Some states have strict limits on how dark tints can be, particularly for front windows. Always ensure your tint meets legal standards to avoid fines or required removal.

Benefits Beyond UV Window Tint Protection

A quality UV window tint provides additional advantages, including:

• Reduced glare for safer driving.
• Enhanced privacy and security.
• Improved energy efficiency by keeping your car cooler.

Investing in a high-quality UV window tint is an excellent way to protect yourself and your vehicle from sun damage. By selecting the right shade and ensuring compliance with local laws, you can enjoy a more comfortable and long-lasting tint solution.

Windshield Coatings – Improve Visibility & Safety While Driving

Enhanced Water Repellency
One of the most significant advantages of windshield coatings is their ability to repel water. When you apply a high-quality coating, water beads up and quickly rolls off the surface, which is especially useful in heavy rain. This allows you to see the road more clearly and reduces the reliance on windshield wipers, enhancing visibility and making driving safer during downpours.

Improved Clarity in All Weather Conditions
Windshield coatings don’t just help with water; they also improve overall clarity by preventing dirt, grime, and debris from sticking to the glass. This means that your windshield will stay cleaner for longer, offering better visibility. In snowy or frosty conditions, these coatings can also make it easier to remove ice, saving time and improving safety when you’re in a hurry.

Windshield Coatings Reduced Glare
Another important benefit of windshield coatings is the reduction of glare, particularly when driving at night or in low-light conditions. A coated windshield minimizes the scattering of light from oncoming headlights or streetlights, making it easier to see and reducing eye strain. This can significantly reduce the likelihood of accidents caused by visual discomfort.

Durability and Long-Term Protection
Windshield coatings are designed to last, offering long-term protection for your vehicle’s glass. Many coatings can last for months or even years, making them a worthwhile investment. By protecting your windshield from scratches, chips, and other damage, these coatings not only improve visibility but also help preserve the integrity of your windshield over time.

Windshield coatings offer a range of benefits, from improved water repellency and clarity to reduced glare and long-term protection. By enhancing visibility and safety, these coatings provide drivers with a more secure and enjoyable driving experience, no matter the weather.

What Are Smart Glass Windows?

Smart glass windows use technologies such as electrochromic, thermochromic, or photochromic materials to change transparency levels. These adaptive features offer dynamic control over light and heat, making them an ideal choice for modern spaces.

Benefits of Smart Glass Technology

1. Energy Efficiency: Smart glass can block heat on sunny days, reducing the need for air conditioning.
2. Enhanced Privacy: Switch from transparent to opaque for instant privacy.
3. Improved Comfort: Reduce glare and UV exposure without sacrificing natural light.

Applications in Homes and Vehicles

• Homes: Replace traditional curtains or blinds with smart glass for sleek, automated light control.
• Vehicles: Minimize glare for drivers and passengers while maintaining a comfortable cabin temperature.

Smart glass windows represent the future of energy-efficient, adaptable design. Whether you’re upgrading your home or vehicle, this technology delivers comfort, convenience, and sustainability—all at the flip of a switch.

How AZ’s Extreme Heat Affects Glass

When exposed to extreme temperatures, glass can expand and contract, leading to stress and, ultimately, cracking. Arizona’s climate, with summer temperatures often exceeding 110°F, amplifies this risk. Car windshields, which experience additional strain from direct sunlight, are especially vulnerable.

Why Heat-Resistant Glass Matters

Heat-resistant glass, such as tempered or laminated glass, is specifically designed to endure temperature fluctuations. These materials undergo specialized treatments to improve their strength and resilience.

Key Benefits of Heat-Resistant Glass:

1. Improved Longevity: Withstand extreme conditions without cracking.
2. Energy Efficiency: Reflect heat to reduce indoor temperatures and lower energy costs.
3. Enhanced Safety: Breaks into less hazardous pieces when shattered.

Protecting Your Glass Investments

For vehicle owners, parking in shaded areas and applying UV protection films can prevent glass damage. Homeowners and businesses should consider upgrading to energy-efficient, heat-resistant windows to protect against Arizona’s relentless heat.

With the right materials and care, your glass can withstand the heat, keeping you cool and safe all year long. Contact AGD today to learn about heat-resistant glass options for your vehicle, home, or office.

What Is Acoustic Auto Glass?

Acoustic auto glass is a specialized type of laminated glass that features a noise-dampening layer, typically made of polyvinyl butyral (PVB). This layer acts as a sound barrier, absorbing and reducing the transmission of high-frequency noise into the cabin. Unlike traditional glass, acoustic versions are engineered to improve soundproofing without compromising strength or visibility.

How Does It Work?

The PVB interlayer in acoustic glass dampens vibrations that cause noise. It’s particularly effective at filtering out frequencies commonly associated with road, wind, and engine sounds. This creates a quieter interior environment, allowing passengers to enjoy music, conversation, or even silence during their drive.

Why Choose Acoustic Auto Glass?

1. Improved Comfort: Less noise means a more comfortable and relaxing ride.
2. Enhanced Safety: A quieter cabin helps drivers stay focused on the road.
3. Energy Efficiency: Some acoustic glass also improves thermal insulation, reducing the need for air conditioning or heating.

Investing in acoustic auto glass is about more than just noise reduction—it’s about upgrading your overall driving experience. Whether you’re commuting daily or embarking on road trips, this technology provides a peaceful ride, rain or shine. Contact AGD today to learn more about acoustic auto glass installation, maintenance, and repair.

When you own a commercial property or business, security is very important. It is nice to have glass doors and windows but, unfortunately, things happen and for one reason or another, they break. Broken glass is a safety hazard not to mention having your business exposed to the outside without a barrier could lead to damage or theft. Regardless of your industry, protecting glass with security window film is a great investment for many reasons.Security window film is a nearly invisible film that is applied to glass just like window tint is applied. And, your security window film can be tinted which reduces energy consumption, improves aesthetics, and increases your privacy. Security window film actually makes the glass harder to penetrate and will hold shattered pieces in place. This can stop a crime in its tracks, prevent damage from severe weather, and prevent any nearby individuals from being injured by shattered glass.

If you need a higher level of protection consider installing special security window film with an impact protection attachment system which actually transforms glass into a robust shield that can completely prevent forced entry. As we all know, the longer it takes an intruder to get through whatever security barrier you have in place, the more likely they are to get scared or give up and leave, making security window film a great investment in your commercial property’s safety.

Easy steps to install window films

When it comes to installing security window films, business owners have two options. They can either call in a professional or do the work by themselves. The former choice is a cost-effective one, as professionals will charge a fixed rate for their services and provide peace of mind. But, if business owners are going for DIY installation, here are the steps they need to know.

Choosing the right type

Commonly, one can find four primary types of security films on the market. All these options have their own set of pros and cons. Hence, it is essential to assess the requirements of a business premise and find the film that is best suited.

Heat-controlled

These window films help to save money on utility bills by reflecting natural UV rays. As a result, the interiors will feel a whole lot cooler even in high temperatures. This film also avoids the need to use air conditioners for longer periods.

Glare-control

People can use glare-control films to prevent the fading of their floors, computer screens and furniture. It will also help to reduce the transmission of solar energy through the windows and prevent any ingress of UV rays that may affect the interiors.

Privacy

There are many privacy-control film options available like frosted, mirrored, and black patterns. These privacy-controlled films will not allow light to pass through and ensure daytime privacy. This product improves indoor safety and deters any intruders. Business can also choose decorative films with various colors and patterns.

Cleaning

During installation, prepare a mixture of water and cleaners. Soak a dry microfiber cloth into the solution and thoroughly clean the window. It is essential to apply enough pressure, so that all grime buildups are removed. Most importantly, make sure not to use cleaners with ammonia or vinegar, as they might damage the film.

Unroll

Choose a flat and clear surface to unroll the film and keep the liner side of the product in upwards direction. Then, cut the film by leaving a length and width gap greater than one inch. This gap is essential to apply the film and cover the frames.

Application

Use two pieces of tape tore move the backing of a product. During this process, keep spraying the glass side of the film with the prepared mixture. This step helps to protect the film from any contamination. To avoid any fingerprints, wash the hands properly and keep them moistened.

Removal

Start installing the film from the top corner and apply equal surface. Some films will come with factory-cut edges that needs to aligned with the framework. These edges prevent any overlap or bubbles. Even if there are any bubbles, spray the solution and press with hands to slide them towards the edge.

Concluding steps

Use a plastic card squeegee to press the film across the corners. The edges and corners are the weak spots of any film. Once finished, use a utility knife to remove excess films from the edges. It is essential to precisely cut the edges and remove excess moisture.

1. Fluids

Check all of your fluids! These are essential to keep your car running properly in the Arizona sun. They lubricant your vehicle and can reduce the chances of overheating, but heat can evaporate these fluids. So, make sure all of your fluids are filled and ready for spring. Here are some fluids you should check if you don’t know where to start:

• Coolant
• Motor Oil
• Transmission Fluid
• Brake Fluid

2. Battery

Arizona heat can quickly damage your car battery and reduce its life expectancy, and no one wants to end up on the side of the road with a dead battery. Make sure your car battery is serviced and replace it if needed.

3. Tires

The rising temperatures can cause your tires to expand, and this can lead to increased wear on the treads. Check your tire pressure to make sure it’s properly filled. If you think your tires are too hot, the best counter is to simply let them cool down on their own.

4. A.C.

Have your car’s air conditioning checked by a professional! Especially if it seems like your A.C is not as strong as it used to be. Maintaining your air conditioning will not only keep you and your passengers in comfort but will help prevent dehydration and dangerous temperatures caused by heatwaves.

5. Be Prepared

Sometimes the unexpected and uncontrollable will happen and your car will breakdown. So, make sure to keep an emergency kit in your car. You should keep this kit in your car year-round and stock it with items such as:

• Bottled Water
• Non-perishable food
• Flashlight (with extra batteries)
• Jumper Cables
• First Aid Kit
• Tool Kit to change a flat tire

There’s nothing worse than getting into your car on a hot summer day.   The Summer Months are fun when you are outside, but the sun & heat can make driving around not fun.  Your car often feels like an oven inside initially then takes forever to cool down to a comfy temperature.

On the bright side, there are a multitude of simple things you can do to help with the heat.   AGD has put together the following tips that will help you stay cooler in your car on these hot summer arizona days.

Windows

Auto glass can act like a greenhouse, retaining heat and sunlight, says the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Even if it is only in the 60’s outdoors, the direct sunshine through the windows can lead to the interior temperature to elevate to more than 110 degrees. Since we are well aware of this problem by now, there are some ways to assist in keeping your car cool by lessening how much heat passing through your car’s windows:

*Sun shades: Sun shades are a fantastic purchase simply because they block the direct rays that come directly into your car. This in turn keeps the temps a tad bit lower, which can help your automobile cool down quicker once the vehicle starts.

*Tinted windows: A more, yet constant way to block the sun’s rays is with the use of window film. Just because your car doesn’t come out of the showroom with tinted windows, that doesn’t mean you are SOL!!

There are several reputable window film companies throughout the state of Arizona, most notably AGD Auto Glass & Tint Co.

*Covered parking: Should you not have window film or a sun shade, a helpful alternative may simply be parking in a covered spot or just in the shade.

*Crack open the windows: Due to the fact that windows hold warm air, leaving them to remain open just a little bit while your vehicle is parked, can provide slight airflow. If your vehicle has a sunroof, you can even crack the sunroof or make use of the ventilation features as long as it’s not raining. For both sunroofs and windows, merely leave them ajar (less than 1 inch) to reduce the possibility of auto theft.

Seats

Sizzling seats can cause discomfort. Because of this, you might consider purchasing a car that has cloth seats vs leather. If it is affordable, you could possibly consider buying a car with air-conditioned seats, which circulate cold air all around the backside. Typically, this works by running a porous mesh on the car seat so air can circulate through it. Air circulation is produced by fans inside of the seat. The air is diffused to distribute the cooling down effect throughout the seat and throughout the mesh, cooling the seat’s exterior. If you happen to already have leather seats but want a way to keep the car cooler, you can purchase cooling pads or gel covers. Covering leather seats with a towel can provide some relief because there is insulation between you and your hot seat.

AC

In case your car’s a / c isn’t working adequately or you do not utilize it efficiently, it may take a lot more time for the car to cool than you need. To maximize your vehicle’s cooling ability, turn the AC on full blast immediately when you rev up the engine then slightly open all of your windows until the air inside the car is cool. This helps to enhance cooling performance as the heat (which rises) is going to be pushed out of the car, as the cool air flows from the vents. Once you’ve achieved your required temp, you need to use the car’s air recirculating feature together with the air conditioning to preserve the coldest air.

The cheapest and most effective of all mentioned above is getting those windows tinted.  This is one of the best investments you could make in bettering your entire driving experience during the summertime.  Not so sure?  Give us a shout here at AGD, we will explain the process and get you back on the road driving COOL!

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AGD Auto Glass & Tint Co. | 3414 S Mill Ave | Tempe, AZ 85282 | 602-759-5900

find us on..         

Central: 602-759-5900
East Valley: 480-289-5108
West Valley: 602-275-5066

Just as we use window tint to block the sun’s harmful UV Rays, sunglass do the same thing for your eyes!  There is that cool, mysterious look about someone in a nice pair of sunglasses.  So on June 27 each year we celebrate National Sunglass Day.  In celebration we highlight the top ten Sunglass styles that have stood the test of time:

1.  Prada model SPR07F

This model was best known for their appearance in the 1963 Academy Award winning movie 8 ½ . This model has evolved a lot since the 1960’s and is still very popular.  This is one of the few styles of sunglasses that can go with a suit or a swimsuit

2.  Persol 714

Worn by Steve McQueen in the 1960’s these were the first folding sunglasses.  Made popular in the movie The Thomas Crown Affair these glasses were sold at auction for $70,000.  Maybe a less expensive pair would be more appropriate for National Sunglass Day!

3.  Ray-Ban 3138 Shooter

Yellow aviator shooters were made famous when Johnny Depp wore them in the movie Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.  There glasses were worn regularly by the author of the novel that inspired the film.  The shooters came in different color tints.  

4.  Ray-Ban Wayfarers

These babies were instantly popular because they were made from revolutionary plastic frame.  Introduced in 1956 they were a distinct diversion from the metal-framed sunglasses of the time. Popularity slumped in the 70’s all the way until the late 2000’s when artists like Katy Perry and Bruno Mars wore them in music videos.

5.  Round and Oversized

Today simply know as Jackie O’s, these sunglasses were made popular by First Lady and fashion icon Jackie Kennedy.  Instantly known by their large round shape they are made to make a fashion statement when worn.

6.  Gold Rimmed Aviator

These sunglasses goes back to the 1930’s when US Army pilots were reporting glare from the sun was giving them headaches and altitude sickness.  A new sunglass lens was created by an American company (Bausch & Lomb) to reduce the glare.  Made with green lenses and plastic frames they were originally called “Anti-Glare”.  A year later they were made with metal frames and rebranded as “Aviators”

7.  The Clubmaster

Ray-Ban introduced in the 1980’s when Bruce Willis worse a pair of brownline Shuron Ronsirs on the series Moonlighting.  They gained popularity very quickly and rose to the #3 best-selling sunglasses of the 1980’s.

8.  Oliver Peoples Gregory Peck

Made popular when Gregory Peck wore them in To Kill A Mockingbird in 1962 they have again became popular.  This is partly due to the reintroduction in 2011 when Oliver Peoples released a new model to celebrate the 50^th anniversary of the novel that inspired the film.

9.  Oliver Goldsmith Manhattan

Audrey Hepburn chose Oliver Goldsmiths Manhattans as her signature pair of sunglasses.  Made famous by Ms. Hepburn wearing them in the movie Breakfast at Tiffany’s.  They are still very popular today!

10.  Rose-Colored Glasses

A phrase that means to view the world in a perpetual optimistic, perhaps naïve, and unrealistic way.  Rose-Colored glasses give the wearer the care-free look.  Where the saying came from, some suggests that early mapmakers used rose petals to clean the lenses of the glasses.  The oils would protect the glass but would also stain and leave a rose-colored tint.

There you have the beautiful top 10 sunglasses!  As important to look and style to your eyes as window tint is to your vehicle.  Combine the two and you have a beautiful pair of protection from the sun’s harmful rays this summer.  The only question is .. which style do you prefer?

AGD Auto Glass & Tint Co.  

3414 S Mill Ave | Tempe, AZ 85282 | 602-759-5900 | Website

find us on..         

Central: 602-759-5900
East Valley: 480-289-5108
West Valley: 602-275-5066

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