How To Buy The Best Windshield Wipers in Durham
Durham North Carolina gets an average of 46 inches of rain per year. That’s more than the US average rainfall. Durham gets 109 days of precipitation a year. On those days, windshield wipers can make a big difference in visibility and safety driving. But with endless windshield wiper brands like Rain-X, Bosch, Anco, Michelin, and even more model names and descriptions, how do you choose the best windshield wipers for your vehicle?
Most windshield wiper blades will do a reasonable job of clearing your windshield in light rain. Some windshield wipers are designed to be more durable in extreme weather. Other wipers blades are designed to have more contact with your windshield, and other features that improve performance and visibility. No matter the names and product description, windshield wiper blades will fall under three types of blades – traditional windshield wiper blades, beam windshield wiper blades, and hybrid windshield wiper blades.
Traditional Windshield Wiper Blades
Traditional windshield wiper blades are made of a metal frame that holds a rubber blade. There are multiple pivot points, and big gaps between the frame and wiper blade. These gaps collect leaves, pollen, snow, and ice. The big draw for these traditional windshield wipers is cost. Usually $10 and under, traditional windshield wiper blades are the most affordable windshield wiper blades. Neal’s Garage in Durham recommends you change your windshield wiper blades at least every 6 months, so the low cost of the traditional windshield wiper blades make it a good choice for areas with moderate rainfall.
Beam Windshield Wiper Blades
Beam windshield wiper blades are premium wiper blades. Beam blades are designed for performance. Beam blades are made of a solid piece of rubber or silicone in order to have maximal contact on the window, and best clear the window in any weather, with less streaking and less sound. Because they are one piece without gaps, beam windshield wiper blades won’t build up snow and ice in the winter, or leaves and pollen in the fall. Beam wiper blades also are designed with aerodynamics in mind. Beam wiper blades have spoilers along the blade spine to help keep the blade against curved windows even at high speeds. Beam wiper blades last twice as long as traditional windshield wiper blades, and costs $15-30 a blade.
Hybrid Wiper Blades
Hybrid blades are designed with the traditional blade metal frame but with a rubber or silicone coating to protect from the elements, and often times more flexible for improved contact. This makes hybrid wiper blades cheaper than full beam wiper blades, but still last longer and perform better than traditional blades.
Now that you know the three major types of windshield wiper blades, the smaller differences in materials and other design features will add durability, performance and decreased wiper sound. Also, Silicone blades often come with warranties, and are more durable and quieter than rubber wiper blades. We hope this break down will help you be able to choose your next pair of windshield wiper blades. The best windshield wiper blades for your vehicle will depend on how often you drive, local weather, element exposure, and personal preference. Feel free to call or visit us at Neal’s Garage in Durham, North Carolina, with any questions you may have about choosing the best windshield wiper blades for you and your vehicle.
