Windshield Repair
The main reason to have your windshield repaired is to keep the damage from becoming more severe. Once the damage has spread severely, the only option is replacement. A windshield repair will prevent the damage from spreading and will seal the glass to help retain the windshields strength.
A repair should be performed as soon as possible after damage occurs. The longer the glass seal is broken, the more likely it is for foreign matter to enter the damaged area. This debris makes a successful repair less likely. The longer you wait, the bigger the risk of increased damage.
Windshield repairs first became viable in the early 1970's, when specific use chemicals and equipment were introduced. Since then, major improvements in the resins and tools have made these repairs more optically clear and more UV resistant.