How Much Does Smart Glass Cost?

Average Smart Glass Price

Smart Glass Cost per Square Foot

Smart glass costs around $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 at once. One piece runs around $130 to $150 per square foot, compared to around $50 to $100 per square foot for 100or more square feet.

In contrast, the cost to install a window with standard glass is only around $15 to $30 per square foot, and the cost to tint windows is about $590.

Smart Glass Pricing by Type

Smart glass prices depend on the total square footage and the type of glass. Polymer-dispersed liquid crystals (PDLC) glass provides privacy, frosting, and is more expensive. Suspended particle devices (SPD) glass provides only tinting. Electrochromic glass features gradual tinting to a set level.

PDLC

PDLC glass tends to be the most expensive option at approximately $85 to $130 per square foot. 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, meaning you can use it for bathrooms, showers, private offices, and more. You can also turn it into a TV projector.

PDLC has liquid and solid crystals, similar to what you'd get in an LCD television or monitor. It has a lot of names, including electric privacy glass, LCD glass, and 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 at around $50 to $150 per square foot. This type allows you to select the level of tinting from minimally shading to total 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 the 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 control the level of tinting. Like PDLC, these windows are dimmable. Use our window buying guide to help determine the best choice for your home needs.

Electrochromic

Electrochromic glass prices are the least costly option at about $50 to $100 per square foot, allowing you to change the tinting over the course of a few minutes. It uses ions to force particles inside or outside the window, making the material clear or tinted. These 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 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 light bulb and make it easy to change whenever you want.

Smart Window Film

Smart window film is a type of film you can attach to existing glass windows. Smart window film tends to be slightly more affordable than smart glass windows, at an average cost of $25 to $50 per square foot. This film is opaque when powered off and clear when powered on.

Switchable Glass vs. Smart Window Film

Switchable glass—which can refer to PDLC, SPD, or electrochromic products—costs around $50 to $150 per square foot and includes all materials and installation. You can apply smart film to existing windows, and it’s less expensive at around $25 to $50 per square foot.

Smart Glass Costs by Application

The cost of smart glass can vary depending on the size of the area it’s installed. Larger windows will be more expensive to install smart glass in, while smaller windows will be more affordable. Smart glass is generally more expensive than ordinary glass. For example, the cost to install a glass shower door is about $940, while the cost to install a smart glass shower door is about $1,800.

Benefits of Smart Glass

Installing smart glass can have a variety of benefits. These include the following:

• Privacy: Smart glass can give you privacy when you need it while still allowing light in.

• Energy savings: Smart glass absorbs light and heat, which can help keep your home cool and save on energy costs during the summer.

• Enhanced security: Smart glass windows are stronger than traditional windows since they better withstand regular cleaning and humidity.

• Blocks UV rays: Smart glass blocks harmful UV rays, so they're better for your skin and other light-sensitive objects in your home, like artwork or upholstery.

• Versatile: Some types of smart glass can even be used as a projector screen, allowing you to project movies or other media on them.

• Alternative window treatment: Smart glass can be an alternative to electric blinds or curtains, although they're typically more expensive. The cost to install smart blinds or curtains is only $500 per window on average.

DIY Smart Glass Windows vs. Hire a Professional

Although many manufacturers sell smart tinting film for DIY applications, it’s best to hire a window glass replacement pro near you. Poor installation may give you inadequate privacy or minimal tinting. If you’re replacing your windows, you’ll need to factor in the weight and size of the glass too. When you call window installers for a quote, ask if they can install the type you’re looking for.

FAQs

What are smart glass windows?

Smart glass uses a film that allows you to control visibility, ranging from a perfectly clear view to total darkness or privacy. You can buy the products when you replace your windows or ask a pro to retrofit them to the existing ones. There are various smart glass windows to choose from, depending on your budget and project needs.

How much electricity does smart glass use?

Smart glass that's the size of an average window (10 to 15 square feet) uses about 5 to 7 watts of electricity, similar to a single LED light bulb. While smart glass windows do use more electricity than regular windows, they can also help to make your home more energy efficient by absorbing light and heat and reducing cooling costs.

What’s the difference between LED smart glass and LCD privacy glass?

LED smart glass uses tiny LED bulbs to create striking colors and patterns you can change using controls. LCD privacy glass uses polymer-dispersed liquid crystals (PDLC) technology to turn a window opaque on command. Both types of glass have different uses, depending on whether you want a decorative window that matches your personal style or a functional window offering privacy.

How long does smart glass last?

Smart glass typically lasts between 20 and 30 years, or about 100,000 hours when powered on. Smart glass exposed to the elements typically has a shorter life span than smart glass used indoors. The cost to replace glass windows is $280 on average if you replace them with regular glass once they've reached the end of their life span.