What's the difference between OEM, dealer, and aftermarket glass?

Hey folks! This is Patrick from Chip Happens Auto Glass.

Welcome to another Q&A session where I answer questions from y'all on the internet.

Today's question is:

"What's the difference between OEM, dealer, and aftermarket glass?"

Summary:

Patrick clarifies that the practical differences between OEM, OE, dealer, and aftermarket glass are minimal. He explains that only a handful of suppliers worldwide manufacture automotive glass; the same supplier may produce branded glass stamped for a manufacturer like Ford and verified by a certified tech, or its own version inspected by its quality control. Crucially, all auto glass is DOT and AS1 certified -- Department of Transportation and American Safety One standards -- before it reaches customers, and each piece is traceable to its maker if an issue arises. Because of this, he says customers can feel safe with either OEM or aftermarket glass, as both meet the same safety standard. The main reason to pay significantly more is for manufacturer branding, which some customers specifically want, but it doesn't change the safety quality.

Answer:

The differences between OEM glass, OE glass, dealer glass, and aftermarket glass are actually minimal. Most automotive glass is made by just a few suppliers on the planet. Those suppliers take orders from a manufacturer -- say, Ford directly -- and put a Ford stamp on the glass, after which a certified tech verifies that the glass meets standards. The alternative is the same glass supplier making their own version of that glass, with their quality control inspecting it and making sure it passes. All autoglass is DOT and AS1 certified -- that's Department of Transportation, and AS1 stands for American Safety One -- and those standards are met before the glass ever reaches the customer. The glass is also trackable, so if an issue comes up later, they can verify who made the glass and when, and address it as needed. So you can feel safe ordering your glass, whether it's OEM or aftermarket, because it's all held to the same standard. The exception is if you require the branding on your glass, which a lot of people do -- manufacturers started adding logos and decals that people get attached to. Branded glass does come at a significant cost compared to an OEM equivalent, but either way you can rest assured you're getting the same quality where your safety is concerned.