How to buy smart glass & PDLC film
What to check before ordering switchable privacy products - grades, sizes, busbar rules, transformers and shipping. Written by the engineers who quote these projects daily.
Know what you are buying
SGV film switching live - the product this buying guide explains.
- Under 0.1 s switching - clear to frosted the instant power changes
- ~5 W per m² - less power than a light bulb, only while clear
- Factory-cut to size - busbar finished and tested, ready to wire
1. Pick the right product form
| Product decision | Typical local option | Direct from Smart Glass VIP |
|---|---|---|
| Existing glass, retrofit | Replacing glass is expensive | Self-adhesive film - dry-mount in a day |
| New build door / window / partition | Film on new builds looks DIY | Laminated switchable glass |
| You laminate glass yourself | Buying panels kills your margin | Non-adhesive film rolls to 2 m wide |
| Bright room, need white off-state | Standard film off-state can look grey | PNLC film - 92% haze, 90% ON |
2. Choose your grade
Clear (85% ON) for standard privacy work; Super Clear (89%) for retail; Ultra Clear (92%) for high-end offices; Grey (39.6% ON) where solar control matters. All 0.4 mm, all AC 60V/48V.
3. Measure correctly
Width x height per pane, in millimeters. Note obstructions (handles, frames) and any shapes. For pieces with length-to-width ratio over 3:1, remember the busbar rule: one long side or two short sides - the factory handles this automatically.
4. Plan the electrics
~5 W/m² at AC 60V; roughly one 50W transformer per 10 m². Each independently switched zone needs its own transformer or app module. We calculate the exact plan in your quote.
5. Order a sample first
A free sample with finished busbar lets you verify switching quality before committing. Request one here - the cost of shipping is the only thing between you and certainty.
Ready when you are
Send dimensions and photos - the itemized quote covers everything above, sized to your project.
