Do your windshield wiper blades rub, scrape or leave streaks as they move across your windshield? These are signs that they need replacement. Windscreen wiper blades must endure a range of climate conditions and environmental factors in order to perform well. There are several types of wiper blades available to suit your driving environment.
Beam Blades
Finding the right wiper blades for your car may seem like a mindless task, but it’s one that should be taken seriously because your windshield visibility is essential to driving safety. When shopping for new Windscreen wiper blades, there are three different types you should consider: conventional, beam and hybrid blades.
Conventional wiper blades consist of replaceable rubber squeegees snapped into multiple contact points on a metal frame. These conventional blades are easy to find and affordable, but can easily lift off the windshield at high speeds, a problem known as wind lift.
Beam blades, on the other hand, use a straighter steel beam that adapts to the natural curvature of any modern vehicle windshield. These blades have an infinite number of pressure points that keep a tight connection with the glass to prevent missed spots and streaks. They’re also designed to handle snow and ice. The only downside to beam blades is that they are more expensive than conventional wiper blades.
Hybrid Blades
There’s a lot more to buying a new set of wiper blades than just picking the cheapest ones. You’ll need to consider the type of blades, sizes required and even the appearance of your wipers. Conventional blades have a metal frame and use a hook style wiper arm fitting. They’re the most popular type of wiper blade, but they’re not good in extreme weather conditions. The exposed frame can clog with snow, ice and debris if not regularly cleaned.
For these reasons, we recommend upgrading to a hybrid or beam wiper blade. These are ideal for vehicles that originally had conventional blades fitted, but will also work well as replacements on some cars that have unique curved front blades or spoilers. Use our wiper fitment lookup to find the right blades for your car. Most hybrid and beam blades come with a universal connector, allowing you to fit them to a variety of different wiper arms.
Soft Blades
Compared to traditional blades, soft wiper blades are typically made from materials that offer better wiping performance and longer life. They also tend to be more resistant to wear and tear, making them a great choice for car owners who want to keep their windshields clear in any weather conditions. As such, it’s important to display your blade inventory in a way that makes it easy for your customers to find what they’re looking for. This can be done by separating your blades into categories and displaying them in appropriate locations in the store.
I’m curious what the difference is between structurally flexible blades that are also soft in feeling and stiff blades that are hard in feel (thus either purely control/spin oriented or purely speed oriented). For example how would a thin, flexible 5 ply balsa core with an uber-hard top ply (ebony, walnut or rosewood etc) play against a thicker, stiff 7 ply ebony core?
Rubber Blades
While they may seem like simple windshield wiper accessories, a lot of engineering and thought goes into the construction and design of these essential car accessories. When the moment of truth comes, and your wiper blades are thrown into action, their performance relies on all the decisions that were made along the way.
Traditionally, natural rubber blades have been a popular choice. They can withstand extreme temperatures and have a curved frame that conforms to the windshield, providing better contact for a clean wipe. However, they do not flip as the wiper arm switches direction and are less effective at clearing hard-packed snow and ice.
Advanced silicone ceramic blades are a better solution for colder climates. They do not leave a residual film on the windshield and are more effective in all weather conditions. Valeo’s Silencio premium blade range brings the latest OE innovations to the independent aftermarket and provides the best fit for your vehicle.
Conclusion
The performance of your windshield wiper blades largely depends on the materials they’re made from. Natural rubber has been the mainstay for years, offering a good balance of durability and weather resistance. Beam styles are lightweight and curved to fit today’s curved windshields for better surface contact. Hybrid styles have metal support for a little more sturdiness.
