If your windshield or any other fixed window is chipped or cracked, you may decide to replace it yourself, but there are cogent reasons why an expert in automotive glass installation should do it, and these include safety and cost. The windshield is made of two sheets of exceptionally thin material of safety glass with a layer of transparent plastic sandwiched in between, because of which in the event of an accident it can take it on its hull and don't deal out dreadful cuts to passengers. Fixed windows are also tempered to break in order to do so safely and a professional will understand how to put the glass in a way that it will do its job in a crash. The other consequence that may be realized from putting in automotive glass with no the right experience and equipment in the event of an accident is extra damage. Price is another factor; Amateur installation end up in cracked windshields, which leads to the buying of more than one, with the possibility of leakage and the subsequent incidence of more damages and inconveniences. So, a professional can save money in the long term and a lot of unnecessary stress in the short term. For small coupled damages such as chips there are repair kits which can be used to extend the life of the windshield but before engaging in chip repair it is recommended to check out the legislation of the country involved given that some countries may not allow chip repair.