Smart Glass: Switchable Privacy Glass
Smart glass — also called switchable glass, privacy glass, or switchable smart glass — is laminated glass that turns from clear to frosted on demand, in under a second. Fabricated in Los Angeles, installed across Southern California, shipped nationwide.
What is smart glass?
Smart glass is laminated glass with a switchable PDLC privacy layer built in: flip a switch and it goes from frosted to clear in under a second, cut the power and it returns to private. Also called switchable glass, privacy glass, or switchable smart glass — the same technology as smart film, built into the glass instead of applied on top.
How PDLC smart glass works
PDLC stands for Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal. Microscopic liquid crystal droplets sit suspended in a polymer layer between two transparent conductive films. Voltage controls how those crystals behave:
- Powered on: the crystals align, light passes straight through, and the panel turns optically clear.
- Powered off: the crystals scatter randomly, diffusing light into an opaque frosted state.
The switch takes under a second, and the frosted state is the default whenever power is off -- privacy is the fail-safe.
How smart glass is made
What smart glass is: laminated panel construction
In smart glass, the PDLC layer is sealed inside the panel during fabrication: the switchable film is laminated between two sheets of glass with PVB/EVA interlayers under high temperature and pressure, forming a single structural unit. There is no surface-applied layer to lift, peel, or scratch — the smart layer is protected by glass on both sides.
That construction also makes smart glass a laminated safety product: if the panel breaks, it holds together instead of shattering — meeting common code requirements for doors, partitions, and overhead glazing.
For exteriors: double-glazed IGU construction
For exterior and insulating applications, smart glass is built as an IGU (insulated glass unit): one pane carries the smart film, a spacer separates it from a second pane, and the unit is sealed around the perimeter to form a dry air space.
The sealed gap protects the smart layer and adds real thermal and acoustic insulation — the right configuration for storefronts, skylights, curtain walls, sun-facing windows, and our smart glass picture windows.
Where PDLC smart glass fits
Smart glass is the right product when you want privacy engineered into the glass itself rather than retrofitted later:
- New construction and renovations -- specify switchable panels during design instead of adding film afterward.
- Shower enclosures and wet areas -- the PDLC layer is sealed inside the glass, so moisture never touches it.
- Conference rooms and office partitions -- full-height switchable walls that double as rear-projection screens in the frosted state.
- Medical and dental exam rooms -- patient privacy in glass that meets safety codes.
- Storefronts, skylights, and exterior glazing -- IGU smart glass with weather sealing and insulation.
See smart glass installation for how we handle the work, or browse our projects for real examples.
Bonus benefit: your frosted glass is a projection screen
In its frosted state, smart glass becomes a flat, even, milky surface — which makes it a built-in rear-projection screen. Place a projector behind the glass and the very same panel that gives you privacy also plays video, presentations, or brand content, then switches back to clear glass the moment you're done. No screen to mount, no wall space to give up.
For commercial spaces, that's two fixtures in one:
- Storefronts — project after-hours advertising or brand films onto the window, then clear it for the daytime display.
- Conference rooms — a full-height glass wall that's a private partition and the presentation screen.
- Restaurants, lounges, and lobbies — frost the glass and cast ambient visuals, menus, or event content across it.
- Retail and showrooms — rotating product content on a surface that also divides the space.
Privacy, daylight control, and a display — in a single pane of glass.
Specifications architects can actually use
Spec sheets are available for the full PDLC range, and our smart glass picture window line publishes U-Factor, SHGC, and Visible Transmittance performance data for project submittals. If you're an architect, designer, or GC specifying switchable glazing, ask us for the documentation -- we'll send real numbers, not brochure claims.
Quick reference:
| Spec | Detail |
|---|---|
| Construction | PDLC layer laminated between two glass sheets (PVB/EVA interlayers) |
| Visible light transmittance | 94% clear |
| Haze | 2.2% clear |
| Viewing angle | > 140° |
| Switching time | clear → frosted ≤ 200 ms · frosted → clear ≤ 10 ms |
| Working voltage | 48–65V AC (50/60 Hz) via dedicated transformer · ≤ 5 W/m² |
| UV blocking | 99% in both states |
| Sound insulation | > 35 dB (laminated construction) |
| Panel thickness | 4+4 mm up to 10+10 mm |
| Panel sizes | 100 × 150 mm minimum · up to 1.8 × 3.2 m |
| Operating temperature | -20°C to 90°C |
| Glass options | Tempered, laminated, shaped, hot-bent, Low-E, fireproof, IGU |
| Warranty | 1 year |
Controls
Any system that can switch a low-voltage circuit can drive PDLC smart glass. We set up wall switches, wireless remotes, app control, timers, voice control through Alexa or Google Home, and full integration with Lutron, Savant, Crestron, and Control4.
Smart glass vs. smart film
The same PDLC technology comes in two forms. Smart glass is the built-in panel; PDLC smart film retrofits the glass you already have. For replacement or new-construction glazing, see smart glass for windows; to check our coverage, see smart glass near me.
| Factor | Smart Glass (panel) | Smart Film (retrofit) |
|---|---|---|
| How it's made | PDLC sealed inside laminated glass | Film applied to existing glass |
| Best for | New builds, wet areas, exteriors | Retrofits, rentals, fast timelines |
| Durability | 15-20+ years (sealed unit) | 10+ years with proper install |
| Moisture | Excellent -- fully sealed | Good; not for direct shower spray |
| Install | Replaces or supplements glazing | Applied in place, often in a day |
Pricing and next steps
Panel pricing depends on dimensions, glass configuration, and controls -- the honest breakdown is on our smart glass cost page. To scope your project, request a free estimate or call (866) 728-9888 with photos, dimensions, and glass specs. Estimates typically go out within two business days.