FAQ GLOBAL SMART GLASS

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.

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With no applied voltage, the liquid crystals are randomly oriented and scatter the light which enters. When an electrical signal is applied, the liquid crystals orient themselves parallel to each other, allowing light through.

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Smart glass works via electrical signal through activation of switches, sensors etc. Liquid crystal molecules turn to allow light to pass through and glass becomes transparent. It is opaque when not activated.

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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    

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.

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Not at all; common examples of natural occurrences of liquid crystals include proteins, soaps, detergents, and even some types of clay.

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