Comprehensive Guide to Sunroof Replacement: Types, Services, and Expert Advice

A sunroof (or moonroof) can be one of the great features of your SUV, van, truck, or car—whether it’s a fixed, sliding, or panoramic design, it adds convenience and style. However, if your sunroof glass has been damaged for any reason, you’ll want to have it repaired as soon as possible. But how do you go about it? The myWindshield network of auto glass experts offers a solution. Simply request a free, no-obligation quote, and we’ll connect you with a myWindshield network member who can handle the job. With over 300 members across the country, our network provides reliable sunroof and moonroof glass replacement and repair services. We offer both mobile technicians who can come to you and drive-in repair shops where your sunroof can be fixed the same day or the next day. If you have glass insurance coverage, our members can handle the repair and take care of the paperwork directly with your insurance company, saving you time and hassle.

A Variety of Services

Our goal is to make getting your auto glass fixed as easy as possible, and your convenience is our priority. Our partners offer a range of services, so you can choose the option that best fits your needs. Many of our network members operate a mobile repair service, where a technician in a fully-equipped van can come to your home, workplace, or even the roadside to perform the repair. This is incredibly convenient because they handle the travel—you just need to make the call and let them take care of the rest.

But what if the weather is bad? It’s not advisable to remove and replace sunroof glass outdoors in rain or snow, as there’s a risk of excess moisture entering your vehicle. In such cases, a drive-in repair option might be more suitable. Many of our partners have drive-in repair centers. Simply bring your vehicle to the repair center, hand over the keys, and relax in the waiting room while the technicians repair your sunroof.

It’s good to have options, and whichever service you choose, you can be sure of excellent customer care and high-quality repairs using the best materials from the myWindshield network members.

Understanding Different Types of Sunroofs

A sunroof (also known as a moonroof) is a panel fitted into the roof of your vehicle, designed to allow light and fresh air into the cabin. Sunroofs can typically be opened to varying degrees—some can only be tilted slightly to let in air, while others can be fully retracted to create a large open space. Whether they are transparent or opaque, manually or electrically operated, sunroofs add comfort and convenience for both drivers and passengers.

Here are a few of the sunroof models available:

• Pop-up Sunroof: This is the traditional type and has been around for a long time. It consists of a glass panel with a mechanism (manual or electric-powered) that allows it to be tilted to let air in. Most pop-up sunroofs can also be fully removed.
• Sliding Sunroof: An evolution of the pop-up version, this sunroof can be tilted and the pane can slide open, leaving the area open to the sky. A sliding sunroof can either retract into the roof space (between the roof and the headliner) or be mounted on tracks on top of the roof, which provides more headroom in the vehicle.
• Panoramic Sunroof: A more recent and innovative development, the panoramic sunroof consists of multiple panes, allowing it to open much wider than a standard sliding sunroof. This type is also known as a moonroof, and as each pane slides back, it stacks against the next one. Depending on the design, a panoramic sunroof can usually open both the front and rear cabin areas, providing plenty of fresh air and creating a semi-open feel.
• Solar Sunroof: This sunroof features a glass panel that doubles as a solar panel, complete with photovoltaic cells. This opaque panel generates electricity that can be used within the vehicle to power various features. With electric and hybrid vehicles becoming increasingly common, solar sunroofs are appearing more frequently as well.