A guide to sunroof glass
This auto glass, also known as the moonroof, is located on the roof of the vehicle and is designed to let fresh air and light into the passenger cabin.
The mechanism used to open the sunroof is either fixed so that when opened, the sun roof vents, or operable so that the sunroof slides and retracts either onto the roof or beneath the interior headliner. Sunroofs can be either opaque or transparent, or feature a visor to block light from the passenger cabin.
What type of sunroof do I have?
Just like any other auto glass in your car or truck, it is important to know what type of sunroof or moonroof is installed in your vehicle so that if it breaks or is damaged, the proper parts and glass are re-installed and get you back on the road quickly.
Auto makers have made variations of the sunroof and moonroof the norm, and can be either manual or electric operated, though not all are moveable. The operation and mechanism that moves the sunroof is the differentiator between the variations of sunroofs.
Fixed sunroof
Pop-up sunroof: A panel of glass that tilts upward on a hinge, in which the tilting action provides the ventilation; can be manual or electric and is usually removable
Sliding sunroof
Spoiler sunroof: A combination of the pop-up and sliding sunroof, the tilting-up action opens the sunroof and then slides back on a track along the roof; depending on the make of the vehicle, the glass panel will self-store either above the roof or below, between the liner and roof proper
Panoramic sunroof: A multi-pane moonroof system which tilts and slides open further than a spoiler sunroof because the multiple panes that form one unit when closed, all retract upon slider track and stack against one another when opened; designed to open above both the front and rear cabin of the passenger cabin
Solar sunroof: Opaque sunroof glass inlaid with photovoltaic solar panel cells that power the inner ventilation from stored solar electricity, saving power in the battery of the vehicle
Top-mount: Sliding sunroofs that store along tracks above the roof outside of the vehicle; the advantages of this type of sunroof is the extra headroom inside the car
Can Safelite repair my sunroof?
It can be an incredible inconvenience to have a broken sunroof. An open window on top of your car can let in dust, rain, snow, and other forms of precipitation that could ruin the interior of the vehicle. Driving down the highway with a broken sunroof can be incredibly distracting and unsafe.
While Safelite doesn't currently repair sunroofs, our technicians can still help you with other auto glass needs including windshield repair, auto glass replacement, and advanced safety systems recalibration.