Conventional and beam wiper blades: What you didn't know

Updated Mar 28, 2020 | Same topic: Let's Drive Smart!

Dependable wiper arm blades are capable of making a difference between seeing none but rainwater on your car's windshield. It will also allow you to drive with full concentration on the traffic at hand.

Rain, dirt, glass haze, fog, and endless teeth-chattering are just some of the things that hinder you from seeing the road while driving. You'll experience it most notably during the rainy weather. Nonetheless, it would be best if you did not consider a filthy windshield to be one of the hindrances.

windshield

Nonetheless, it would be best if you did not consider a filthy windshield to be one of the hindrances

Dependable wiper arm blades are capable of making a difference between seeing none but rainwater on your car's windshield. It will also allow you to drive with full concentration on the traffic at hand.

We're here to assist you if you're thinking of changing yours this time of the year. Philkotse.com prepared some key points you can use in figuring out what's suitable for your car's windshield. Is it whether traditional or beam wiper blades?

We prepared a comparison between a conventional wiper blades and beam wiper blades to make your choices easier.

Conventional and beam wiper blades comparison

1. Beam wiper blades are less straight than conventional blades

Beam wiper blades are constructed with a more curved structure than the conventional blades. As a result, it allows the application of pressure to a greater extent onto the windshield. It enables you to see the roads better through the ability of beam wiper blades to "hug" the outline of the windscreen.

The most notable difference of beam wiper blades and conventional wiper blades is the extra curvature feature of the former. It is more evident on the windshield of the passenger side.

Traditional or conventional blades are only capable of making contact at six-to-eight points with the windscreen. It's because of its straighter design.

Additionally, the beam blades form closer contact with the windshield due to its infinite pressure levels that make it possible also because of its length. The presence of higher-pressure points indicates a more profound cleanliness of your windshield.

conventional vs beam

Beam wiper blades are constructed with a more curved structure than the conventional blades

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2. Conventional wiper blades are less wind-resistant than beam wiper ones

Opposite to the popular notion that fog and rain are the sole things that block your vision, this isn't the case. The wind is to blame as well. "Drag" is the term usually used that pertains to the consolidated air resistance caused by high-speed winds. Successively, the conventional blades are being "lifted" by drag off from the windscreen. This phenomenon is called the wind lift.

As soon as your wiper blades could not get in contact with your car’s windshield, it prevents you from seeing the way while driving. Premium beam blends withstand air current by changing it to pressure. They make use of this to clean your car's windshield better effectively.

Drag

"Drag" is the term usually used that pertains to the consolidated air resistance caused by high-speed winds

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3. They’re made with various materials

Generally, conventional or traditional wiper blades comprise an interchangeable rubber blade that grabs into respective contact points along a metal framework. The spring of every contact point serves in applying force per unit area to the windscreen. Even so, these conventional blades have the tendency to wipe less evenly on your car's windshield than beam wiper blades due to a limited amount of springs on all blades.

The premium beam blades use high-quality rubber as well as high-strength steel that is helpful for these blades to endure rough road conditions and survive longer. In addition, it prevents snow and ice from accumulating on them because these premium blades don't have exposed parts.

Premium beam blades are considered as the superior option, especially for those drivers dwelling in regions with unpredictable summers, harsh winters, and everything in between.

Man holding a windshield wiper

The premium beam blades use high-quality rubber as well as high-strength steel

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For the last 100 years, wiper blades have been used. The continuous development in terms of wiper performance and wiper blade technology gave rise to the invention of a new, prevailing, and advanced wiper technology in the form of premium beam wiper blades. In comparison with a typical traditional wiper blade, beam blades provide distinct benefits and attributes.

The wiper blade's design itself is the most apparent difference. Back then, the windshield of cars was not curved like what modern cars have today. That's why there is a need to comply with its older and flatter design.

At present, the contemporary-day windshields that have a curved structure, are equipped with beam blades that provide improved coverage between windshield and wiper blades.

The different pressure or contact points are the basis of the coverage of wipers. The lesser pressure points, the lesser wiper pressure. Thus, there is a directly proportional relationship between pressure points and wiper pressure.

Just like what has been mentioned above, beam blades are designed with an unlimited amount of pressure points, while conventional blades are built with six to eight contact points only.

Wet windshield

The contemporary-day windshields have a curved structure

The existence of unlimited pressure points guarantees that the contact between the blades of the wiper and the windshield will remain intact. Keep in mind that you will experience better driving opportunities with greater wiper pressure points.

For instance, one of the causes of your stress is if your car's wipers are not in their best conditions, most especially if you are driving at a high-speed during a rainstorm. Your wiper blades performance does not only depend on the pouring rain and its amount but the magnitude of the wind as well.

Most of the drivers and car owners don't know that wiper blade performance is greatly affected by the wind. When it comes to wind-resistance, the conventional wiper blades are not equipped with features responsible for such subject matter.

One cause of the separation of the wiper blade from the windshield is the high speeds that stimulate strong winds, thus, creating intense wind resistance.

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Man driving

Most of the drivers and car owners don't know that wiper blade performance is greatly affected by the wind

Wind lift is the term penned for the separation. Wind lift can prompt terrible performance in times when you most need it. Vortec Aerofoil, featured by TRICO beam blades, is one of a kind designs that are aerodynamic and modifies rough winds into maximum pressure between the windscreen and the wiper.

Also, it maximizes the pressure and prevents the blade from being loosely affixed to your car’s windshield. You will get better performance out of your beam blade when it is capable of having greater wind force. 

Hanna Sanchez

Hanna Sanchez

Author

Hanna is one of the most competitive swimmers in the country during her day. It was not long before she discovered her passion for the automotive industry as well. Nowadays, she balances her passion through writing as well as coaching.

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