Custom Smart Glass Installation in Los Angeles
Smart View fabricates and installs custom laminated PDLC smart glass panels throughout Los Angeles and Southern California. Unlike retrofit smart film applied to existing windows, smart glass is a factory-built laminated unit -- a switchable PDLC layer sealed permanently between two tempered glass panels. The result is a single piece of glass that transitions from clear to frosted in under one second, engineered for new construction, full window replacement, shower enclosures, and exterior applications. We work directly with architects, general contractors, and homeowners from the design phase through final installation.
What Is Laminated Smart Glass?
Laminated smart glass is a solid unit of two tempered glass panels with a PDLC (Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal) interlayer bonded between them under heat and pressure. When 60V AC power is applied, the liquid crystals align and the glass turns clear; with the power off, they scatter light and the glass becomes opaque and frosted.
Because the PDLC layer is sealed inside the laminated unit, it is fully protected from moisture, cleaning chemicals, contact, and UV degradation. That makes smart glass ideal for showers and steam rooms, exterior windows exposed to rain, and high-traffic commercial spaces that need regular cleaning.
Smart glass blocks the majority of UV rays in both states. It meets laminated safety glass standards -- if broken, the glass fragments adhere to the interlayer rather than shattering into loose shards. Each panel is custom-fabricated to the exact dimensions, shape, and thickness required for your project.
Smart Glass for New Construction
Smart glass delivers the best results when specified during the design phase of new construction. Early coordination allows architects and builders to plan for the glass dimensions, structural support, electrical routing, and transformer placement before walls are closed.
Architectural specification -- Smart View provides specification sheets, CAD details, and glass weight data for architects to include in construction documents. We coordinate directly with your architect or design team to confirm dimensions, glass thickness, and edge details during the design development phase.
Structural coordination -- Laminated smart glass panels are heavier than standard insulated glass units. A typical smart glass panel weighs approximately 6-8 lbs per square foot depending on glass thickness. Your structural engineer and framing contractor need this weight data to size headers, mullions, and support hardware appropriately.
Electrical rough-in -- Smart glass runs on low-voltage 60V AC wiring routed from a transformer to each panel. During rough-in, the electrician pulls conduit or low-voltage cable to a junction point at every opening. Smart View provides wiring diagrams and transformer specs before rough-in begins.
Installation timing -- Smart glass panels are installed after the framing and rough electrical are complete but before final finishes. We coordinate with the general contractor to schedule delivery and installation within the construction timeline, typically after window frames are set and before interior trim work begins.
→ Smart glass for Beverly Hills new construction
→ Smart glass for Malibu coastal homes
Smart Glass for Window Replacement
Smart glass is also the right choice when you are already replacing windows as part of a major renovation. If the window frames are coming out anyway, upgrading to smart glass adds switchable privacy without the limitations of a retrofit film approach.
Full-frame replacement -- We fabricate smart glass panels sized to fit new window frames. Your window contractor installs the frames, and Smart View installs the smart glass units and handles all electrical connections.
Shower enclosures -- Smart glass is the preferred solution for shower privacy because the PDLC layer is sealed inside the laminated unit, fully protected from water, steam, and cleaning products. Unlike film applied to a glass surface, there are no edges that can peel or delaminate in a wet environment.
Exterior windows -- For windows exposed to rain, coastal salt air, or direct sunlight, smart glass provides superior long-term durability compared to surface-applied film. The sealed laminated construction prevents moisture intrusion and UV degradation of the PDLC layer.
Picture windows and exterior glass, sealed for the long run
When the frames are already coming out, a laminated smart-glass picture window gives you switchable privacy with the PDLC layer sealed inside the unit -- protected from rain, coastal salt air, and UV. Frosted at the tap of a switch, clear when you want the view, with no surface film to peel at the edges.
Storefronts and curtain walls -- Commercial window replacement projects benefit from smart glass when the goal is switchable privacy across large glazed areas. Smart View fabricates panels up to approximately 4 feet by 8 feet, and larger openings can be divided into multiple panels with minimal visible seams.
→ Smart glass for Santa Monica renovations
→ Smart glass for Downtown LA commercial projects
Custom Fabrication Process
Smart View fabricates all smart glass panels at our facility in Canoga Park, CA. In-house fabrication gives us direct control over quality, lead times, and custom specifications that off-the-shelf products cannot match.
Every Los Angeles panel is laminated and tested in our own Canoga Park shop, then set and wired by the same crew on site.— Smart View, founded 2024
Step 1: Design Consultation and Measurement We review architectural drawings or visit the project site to confirm exact dimensions, glass thickness requirements, edge treatments, and electrical connection points. For new construction, we work from the architect's drawings. For replacement projects, we field-measure every opening.
Step 2: Glass and PDLC Specification We select the appropriate tempered glass thickness (typically 3/16" or 1/4" per lite), PDLC interlayer grade, and any additional performance layers such as low-E coatings or tinting. For insulated glass unit (IGU) configurations, we specify the air gap, spacer type, and gas fill.
Step 3: Lamination The PDLC interlayer is positioned between the two tempered glass panels and bonded under controlled heat and pressure in our lamination equipment. Busbars (copper electrical contacts) are integrated during this step and sealed within the laminate edge.
Step 4: Quality Testing Every panel is electrically tested for switching speed, optical clarity in the clear state, uniform opacity in the frosted state, and proper voltage draw. Panels that do not meet our standards are rejected before they leave the facility.
Step 5: Delivery and Installation Finished panels are crated and delivered to the project site. Our installation team sets the glass, makes all electrical connections, integrates the control system (wall switch, remote, automation platform), and performs final testing on-site.
Typical lead times: 3-5 weeks from confirmed order to delivery for standard projects. Complex or oversized projects may require 6-8 weeks. We recommend engaging Smart View during the design phase to align fabrication with your construction schedule.
Smart Glass vs. Smart Film -- Which Is Right for Your Project?
| Factor | Smart Glass (New Construction) | Smart Film (Retrofit) |
|---|---|---|
| Construction | PDLC sealed between two tempered glass panels | Adhesive film applied to existing glass surface |
| Best for | New builds, window replacement, wet areas, exterior | Retrofits, rentals, existing windows, budget-conscious |
| Durability | 15-20+ years (sealed laminated unit) | 7-10+ years with proper installation |
| Moisture resistance | Excellent (fully sealed between glass layers) | Good (not recommended for direct shower spray) |
| Cost | ~$100+/sqft for glass + installation | ~$35/sqft for film + installation |
| Installation time | Coordinated with construction schedule | 1-3 days typical for residential |
| Removability | Permanent (it is the window) | Can be removed without damaging glass |
Choose smart glass if: You are building new construction, replacing windows as part of a renovation, need privacy glass in showers or exterior applications, or want maximum durability with a 15-20+ year lifespan.
Choose smart film if: You want to upgrade existing glass without replacing windows, you are in a rental or condo where window replacement is not permitted, or you want a lower-cost solution on a shorter timeline.
→ Learn more about smart film installation in LA
Smart Glass Electrical Requirements
Smart glass operates on 60V AC low-voltage power supplied by a step-down transformer. Proper electrical planning is essential, especially for new construction where wiring is routed during the rough-in phase.
Transformer -- Each smart glass circuit requires a transformer that converts standard 120V AC line power to 60V AC. One transformer can power multiple panels depending on total square footage. Transformers are typically mounted in a closet, mechanical room, or above a drop ceiling -- out of sight but accessible for service.
Wiring to each panel -- Low-voltage cable (typically 18/2 or 16/2) runs from the transformer to a junction point at each panel. In new construction it routes through wall cavities or conduit during rough-in; on replacements it can often be fished through existing cavities or hidden in trim channels.
Power consumption -- Smart glass consumes approximately 5 watts per square meter in the clear (on) state. In the opaque (off) state, it draws zero power -- privacy is the default when electricity is disconnected. A typical shower panel uses less electricity than an LED light bulb.
Control options -- Smart glass can be controlled via a simple wall switch, wireless remote, smartphone app, or integration with home automation systems including Lutron, Savant, Crestron, Control4, Alexa, and Google Home. Smart View handles all control system wiring and programming as part of the installation.
Coordination with your electrician -- Smart View provides a wiring diagram and transformer specification sheet to your electrical contractor before the rough-in phase. We specify the transformer location, cable routing paths, and junction box positions for each panel. This ensures the low-voltage infrastructure is in place when our team arrives to install the glass.
Areas We Serve in Los Angeles
Smart View fabricates and installs smart glass across the entire Greater Los Angeles area and beyond:
LA Westside: Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Venice Beach, Pacific Palisades, Culver City, West Hollywood, Malibu Central LA: Hollywood, Downtown LA, Koreatown, Mid-Wilshire, Silver Lake, Echo Park San Fernando Valley: Canoga Park (our home base), Glendale, Burbank, Pasadena, Encino, Sherman Oaks, Woodland Hills South Bay: Long Beach, Manhattan Beach, Hermosa Beach, Redondo Beach, Torrance Inland: San Bernardino, Rancho Cucamonga, Ontario, Riverside Coastal Orange County: Newport Beach, Laguna Beach, Huntington Beach, Dana Point San Diego County: San Diego, Rancho Santa Fe, Del Mar, La Jolla Santa Barbara County: Santa Barbara, Montecito, Goleta Ventura County: Ventura, Oxnard, Thousand Oaks, Camarillo Desert: Palm Springs, Palm Desert, Rancho Mirage Out of State: Las Vegas NV, Lake Havasu City AZ
Get a free quote
Smart glass for sale in Los Angeles? Buy smart glass and smart film direct -- installed locally or shipped ready to install. Need it on existing glazing? See smart glass for windows, or check smart glass near me for your area.
Ready to upgrade your glass? Request a free estimate or call (866) 728-9888 — we'll recommend and quote within 48 hours.
