It’s 2020—screens are everywhere. There is probably a screen in your pocket, your car, your living room, on your desk, and countless other places. Many new refrigerators even feature a screen. I’m currently writing this blog on one screen while my phone screen looks up at me from my desk, and my TV screen looms in the background.
Screens can be an excellent asset for accessing information and viewing content, but the technology is fragile. Most screens are made out of glass, and can break when struck or dropped. (Unfortunately, the author of this blog didn’t heed his own advice and is currently working from a laptop with a broken screen!)
Why You Should Invest in Screen Protectors
It didn’t take much—just a two-foot drop from the back seat of the car onto the ground. The contents of my bag had shifted during my drive without me knowing. When I opened the back passenger side door, which was bracing the laptop, the laptop slid from the seat down to the asphalt. Even though it happened in what appeared to be slow motion, I was powerless to interrupt its path of travel and –WHACK—the corner of the laptop struck the asphalt.
Upon first inspection, everything seemed fine—no catastrophic damage. The screen still powered on as usual and functioned perfectly. It wasn’t until later that day, when tiny chunks of glass started falling out onto the keyboard, that I realized there was actual damage.
As I write this, I loathe the fact that there is a screen protector still sitting in my Amazon account shopping cart, instead of installed on my laptop’s screen to protect it.
I’d like to tell you that my phone screen is still fully intact, but that’s not the case either. At this point you might be wondering if I’m too rough with my belongings. That might be so—I spend time outdoors and around tools and appreciate objects of utility. However, the drop that cracked my phone’s screen was, again, no more than about two feet high. Even though the phone has a case, it landed face down where the case wasn’t able to protect it. Although just a hairline fracture, I’m sure it would have gone undamaged if a screen protector had been installed.
Again, there is a phone screen protector sitting in my shopping cart, where it has sat for months. Lunch break priority number one? Place that order.
Why Do Screens Break?
Today’s LED screens are made using a thin layer of glass as the barrier between the user and the technology inside the screen. This glass is usually only a fraction of a millimeter thick. You can imagine then, that the thinness explains why screens crack so easily. Thicker glass would increase size, weight, and cost. The biggest of these three culprits being size—therefore, glass must stay thin and lightweight, and therefore fragile.
Buying Screen Protectors for Different Devices
Most people focus on purchasing glass screen protectors for their phones. Think about how utilitarian cell phones are—they are used constantly throughout the day, throw in and out of pockets, purses, and bags. Sometimes they’re handed off to children to play games with, other times they’re used on construction work sites. It’s no wonder that screen repair companies have become so popular. Purchasing a glass screen protector is a smart option—cheap insurance against breakage that is likely to happen.
There are screen protectors designed for items other than just cell phones too. Laptop screen protectors are extremely popular too since this is probably the second most utilitarian type of screen that many people own.
From car infotainment centers to kitchen appliances, screen protectors are available for just about every other type of screen out there too. Glass screen protectors are available off the shelf for the majority of cell phones and laptops. However, glass screen protectors for some of these other products might need to be custom-made.
Glass Screen Protectors vs. Vinyl Screen Protectors
Tempered glass is the glass of choice for protecting screens. It might sound strange that you would protect your glass screen with a screen protector made out of glass. Keep in mind, however, that your screen likely isn’t made of tempered glass. Tempered glass is heat strengthened and has a much higher resistance to breakage than normal glass. Therefore, you’re basically adding a layer of armor to your screen.
Glass is also the protection of choice due to its optical clarity. Other types of screen protectors, such as vinyl films, may add protection, but they’ll also add a certain degree of distortion. Using a glass screen protector ensures that your viewing remains as optically clear as possible.
How to Protect Your Glass Screen with a Glass Screen Protector
Installing a glass screen protector is a straightforward process. Kits can be bought in stores or ordered online if you’re brave enough to tackle the installation on your own. It typically requires just a few steps, such as these:
- Clean your screen with an alcohol-based cleaner.
- Clean the screen a second time with a lint-free cloth.
- Once the screen is spotless, remove the protective film from the screen protector, exposing the adhesive side.
- Align one edge of the screen protector with the screen.
- Once aligned completely straight, start at this end and slowly apply the protector to the screen.
- Work out any air bubbles along the way.
- Follow the manufacturer’s recommendation for the adhesion process. Some require the screen to go untouched for hours to ensure proper bonding.
- Clean the screen protector.
- Enjoy the added layer of protection!
The most challenging part is not letting air bubbles become trapped under the screen protector. You typically only get one chance to perform the application, so make sure you get it right the first time. A poorly installed screen protector might not stay in place and can distort viewing.
Professional Glass Screen Protector Installation
Installing a screen protector can be tricky. If you’re not sure that you’re up to the task or want to ensure that you receive the best installation possible, take your phone to a professional. Many stores that sell screen protectors will also install them either for free or for a nominal charge.
The uses of glass never cease to amaze the Glass.com team. Glass is all around up and can be used for drinkware, decoration, protection, and more. If you need a screen protector, be sure to purchase a glass screen protector.
