You can find PDLC glass in commercial and residential smart windows, consumer electronics and display cases for retail and museums, as well as in healthcare, hospitality and transportation.
A liquid crystal is a hybrid between (i) a liquid which flows like a fluid and (ii) a crystal which is normally found as a solid, exhibiting short- or long-range symmetry.
The maximum size of smart glass: 2000mm*6000mm (6.5ft*19.5ft).
The following information is from homeadvisor.com.
Smart Glass Cost
Smart glass costs $25 to $150 per square foot. Glass with film pre-installed is $50 to $150 per square foot, compared to $25 to $50 per square foot for the film alone. Price depends on the total square footage, with single units running up to $50 per square foot more than you’d pay to install several.
Smart glass makes it easy to change the look of your windows in an instant. You can make them completely opaque for privacy or add tinting to shade a home and cut your energy consumption. There are a few different types with unique benefits, so you’ll need to choose the one that’s right for you. Keep these cost factors in mind as you browse.
Average Smart Glass Price
| Average Cost | $100 Per Square Foot |
| High Cost | $150 Per Square Foot |
| Low Cost | $25 Per Square Foot |
Smart Glass Cost Per Square Foot
Smart glass costs $50 to $150 per square foot. Installers usually set rates by the project, offering a lower price per square foot if you replace several windows. One piece runs $125 to $150 per square foot, compared to $50 to $100 per square foot for 100 or more square feet. The cost to install a window with standard glass is $15 to $30 per square foot.
Smart Glass Pricing by Type
Smart glass prices are $50 to $150 per square foot, depending on the total square footage and type:
PDLC: Privacy, frosted, tinting
SPD: Tinting in an instant
Electrochromic: Gradual tinting to a set level
PDLC
PDLC glass tends to be the most expensive option. It offers privacy at the touch of a button, making it ideal for indoor and outdoor applications. This technology is the only type that turns completely opaque, which means you can use it for bathrooms, showers, private offices and more. You can also turn it into a television projector.
PDLC has crystals that are both liquid and solid, similar to what you’d get in an LCD television or monitor. It has a lot of names, including:
Electric privacy glass
LCD glass
Electric frosted glass
The crystals are inactive when turned off, which makes the glass appear frosted or dark. Once you turn it on, the window is completely clear or dimmable.
SPD
SPD glass is the middle-of-the road cost option, with pricing a little lower than PDLC. This type allows you to select the level of tinting from minimally shading to full darkness, although it can’t provide complete privacy. Its heat-blocking features make it a great choice for exterior windows. You can also use it for any interior room that needs additional darkness in daytime, like a home theater or child’s bedroom.
SPD suspends particles in a liquid. When you turn on the device, it brings those particles in line and allows you to the control the level of tinting. Like PDLC, these windows are dimmable.
Electrochromic
Electrochromic glass is the cheapest option. This type allows you to change the tinting over the course of a few minutes. It uses ions to force particles to the inside or outside of the window, making the material clear or tinted. Those particles stay in position until you use the control to move them again.
Electrochromic glass is similar to photochromic or thermochromic tinting, but it’s important to understand the difference. Photochromic and thermochromic products, like Transitions eyeglass lenses, tint based on light or heat. They don’t require energy to change, but you can’t control them. Electrochromic options use energy comparable to a single LED lightbulb, and make it easy to change whenever you want.
Switchable Glass Prices vs. Smart Window Film
Switchable glass, which may refer to PDLC, SPD or electrochromic products, costs $50 to $150 per square foot and includes all materials and installation. If you want to buy smart film that you can have a pro apply to your existing windows, you’ll pay $25 to $50 per square foot.
| Brand | Glass | Film |
|---|---|---|
| Smart Tint | N | Y |
| Invisishade | Y | Y |
| Sonte Film | N | Y |
| Smart Film | N | Y |
| View | Y | N |
| Gauzy | Y | N |
| GlobalSmartGlass.com | Y | Y |
How To Install The Self-Adhesive Smart Film?
Step 1.Preparation of Smart Film
1.1 Take out the self-adhesive smart film from the package carefully.
1.2 Put the dust cloth to a dust-free open space unroll the smart film and lay it flat.
Step 2.Preparation of Glass
2.1 Check the glass and make sure if there are adhesive strips and any other obstacle on the edge of the glass.
2.2 If there are adhesive strips remove or cut off them around the glass.
2.3 Caution: Don't scratch the glass when you remove the strips.
2.4 Pick up the right film confirm the film size according to the size of glass.
2.5 Spray clean water or water with detergent on the glass.
2.6 Clean the glass with a blade make sure there's no dust or stain on the surface.
2.7 Wipe the water off the surface of glass.
2.8 Spray some water-free alcohol on the surface of the glass or use a clean cloth contained alcohol to wipe the surface of glass and the frame.
2.9 Make sure that the glass surface is clean and free of water.
Step 3.Film Installation
3.1 Take the film and peel off the protective liner for 5 centimeter.
3.2 Align the film with glass and press the film on the glass slowly.Press the film to the surface of glass a few times slowly with a squeezer.
3.3 Caution: Don't spry water or detergent solution on the glass or film during installation of smart film.
3.4 Peel off the protective liner slowly for 3 to 5 centimeter each time and press the film with squeezer.
3.5 Squeeze the film step by step and make sure there's no bubble left between the film and glass.Repeat the action continuously until the film installed.
3.6 In case there's bubble or dirt between the film and glass peel off the film from glass and remove the dirt.
3.7 If the dirt is on the film adhesive side take a knife or other tool to pick up the dirt.If the dirt is on the glass wipe the glass with a clean cloth with alcohol.
3.8 After removal of dirt press the film on the glass and squeeze it on the glass.
3.9 Caution：The self-adhesive film could be peel off several times and the adhesive will still work.However we don't recommend it for more than 3 times.
3.10 If the self-adhesive film is too big you can cut the film with scissor or knife to the correct size.
3.11 Wipe the cutting edge with a clean cloth with water-free alcohol to avoid short-circuiting caused by rough edge.
3.12 Check the installed smart film in case the bubble or dirt spot peel off the part and reinstall it.
Step 4.Wiring and Sealant
4.1 Connect the bus-bars with wires and wrap the wire joints with insulating tape.
4.2 Use Eva hot melt sealant to fix the wires to the edges of frame and film as designed.
4.3 Peel off the protective liner from the outside of smart film.
4.4 In order to prevent water from entering the self-adhesive film from the edge it is necessary to apply sealant on the edge.GE381 silicone Weather-proofing sealant is our recommended edge sealant.
Step 5.Final Cleaning
5.1 Clean the surroundings and enjoy the smart film.
5.2 If you want to get more informaion, please feel free to visit globalsmartglass.com.
https://globalsmartglass.com: Switch the smart glass,switch to a new world.
Yes, smart glass/film is a safety glass. Being laminated, it prevents scattering of glass fragments in case of breakage.
A flexible polymer-based film (typically PDLC: Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal) with an adhesive layer on one side. It is applied directly to existing glass surfaces like a sticker. A laminated glass unit where PDLC film is permanently sandwiched between two layers of glass using EVA or PVB interlayers under high pressure/temperature. This creates a solid, structural glazing product. • Optical Clarity: • Energy Efficiency: • Durability: • Safety: • Film: Ideal for retrofitting offices, shower doors, storefronts, or rental properties. • Glass: Suited for high-end architectural projects (facades, security rooms, partitions), automotive sunroofs, and aviation. Choose self-adhesive smart film for cost-effective, non-invasive upgrades to existing glass. Opt for smart glass in new builds or high-traffic areas demanding durability and safety. Both deliver dynamic privacy/energy savings but cater to different project scales and budgets.1. What is self-adhesive smart film and smart glass
Self-Adhesive Smart Film:
Smart Glass:
2. Installation & Application
Feature
Self-Adhesive Smart Film
Smart Glass
Installation
Peel-and-stick onto existing glass; DIY-friendly.
Requires professional glazing; replaces entire glass unit.
Best For
Retrofitting existing windows/glass partitions.
New constructions or full renovations.
Complexity
Some skill is needed:
1. How to install the film;
2. How to deal with the edge sealant;
3. How to hide the wire.
Install the glass as the normal glass except for considering how to hide the wire.
How to make smart glass?
3. Functionality & Performance
Both switch between transparent (ON) and opaque (OFF) via electricity. Smart Glass often has higher clarity due to glass encapsulation.
Identical function: Blocks ~99% UV rays and reduces heat gain.
Power consumption is low (~5W/m²/hour).
Smart Glass is more robust (scratch resistant, impact-resistant, safety-glass properties, longer life time). Film is vulnerable to peeling/scratches comparing with smart glass.
Smart glass remains secure after breaking. Film lacks structural security but can prevent glass from shattering.
4. Applications
5. Pros vs. Cons Summary
Type
✅ Pros
❌ Cons
Self-Adhesive Film
Affordable, easy install, UV/heat blocking, retrofit-friendly
Less durable, no structural safety, prone to air bubbles, Lower clarity than smart glass.
Smart Glass
Premium finish, enhanced safety/durability, seamless integration, higher clarity and performance than film.
High cost, inflexible for existing spaces, complex replacement.
Conclusion
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