PDLC smart film and switchable glass for instant privacy. Retrofit existing glass or install new switchable panels across Washington DC, Northern Virginia, and Maryland.
Transform your Tysons conference room glass from transparent to private at the touch of a button. Retrofit smart film onto existing glass in your Bethesda medical office or install laminated switchable glass in your Georgetown townhouse bathroom. Instant privacy, zero blinds.
99%
UV Blocked
5-7W
Per Sq. Meter
100ms
Switch Speed
10-15
Year Lifespan
Product Types
Applied directly to existing glass surfaces using a pressure-sensitive adhesive layer.
PDLC film factory-laminated between two layers of glass during manufacturing. Laminated switchable glass is a complete glass unit where the smart film is.
Flexible PDLC film designed for application on curved glass surfaces including curved partitions, cylindrical enclosures, and curved architectural features.
Complete glass partition systems with integrated PDLC technology. These turnkey systems include the glass panels, framing, power connections, and controls.
Applications
Glass-walled conference rooms switch from transparent to private at the touch of a button. When transparent, the room maintains visual openness and daylight flow. When opaque, confidential meetings proceed without visual intrusion. The frosted state doubles as a projection screen for presentations -- eliminating the need for a separate screen or display.
Hospital patient rooms, ICU bays, examination rooms, and nursery viewing windows use smart film for on-demand privacy. Nurses can monitor patients through transparent glass and switch to opaque for privacy during examinations and procedures. Smart glass in healthcare reduces curtain-associated infections and simplifies cleaning protocols.
Glass bathroom partitions, shower enclosures, and interior windows switch from clear to frosted for instant privacy. Smart film eliminates the need for curtains or blinds in bathrooms while maintaining the open, light-filled aesthetic of glass. Popular for master bathrooms connected to bedrooms by glass walls or partitions.
Storefront windows that switch from transparent to opaque for after-hours privacy. Hotel bathroom glass, VIP room dividers, and spa treatment room partitions use smart film to control visibility on demand. Restaurants use switchable glass to create private dining areas within an open floor plan.
Glass-fronted executive offices maintain visual connection to the open office when transparent and provide complete privacy for sensitive conversations when switched to opaque. Smart film reinforces the perception of transparency and accessibility while preserving the ability to close off the space as needed.
Exterior-facing windows in bedrooms, bathrooms, and ground-floor spaces use smart film as an alternative to blinds and curtains. Smart film blocks 99 percent of UV radiation in the opaque state, reduces solar heat gain, and provides instant privacy without the maintenance and dust collection of traditional window treatments.
Technology
PDLC smart film is a proven technology used worldwide in commercial and residential applications. Here is how it performs.
Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal (PDLC) is the core technology behind smart film. Microscopic liquid crystal droplets are suspended in a polymer matrix between two conductive layers. When voltage is applied, the crystals align and become transparent. When power is removed, crystals scatter randomly and the film appears frosted white. The transition is instantaneous.
Smart film consumes approximately 5-7 watts per square meter in the transparent (powered) state -- comparable to a nightlight. In the opaque (unpowered) state, consumption is zero. A typical conference room installation (40 square feet) uses roughly 20 watts when transparent. Annual electricity cost is negligible.
In the opaque state, smart film blocks approximately 99 percent of UV radiation and significantly reduces solar heat gain through the glass. This provides meaningful energy savings by reducing air conditioning loads in sun-exposed spaces. The UV blocking also protects interior furnishings and flooring from fading.
Smart film transitions from opaque to transparent in approximately 100 milliseconds -- effectively instantaneous. The reverse transition (transparent to opaque) takes slightly longer, approximately 1-3 seconds, as the liquid crystals return to their random orientation. Both transitions are smooth and gradual, not abrupt.
In the transparent state, premium PDLC film transmits 75-80 percent of visible light with minimal haze (typically under 5 percent). Objects viewed through the film appear clear and undistorted. In the opaque state, light transmission drops to approximately 5-10 percent -- enough ambient light passes through to avoid a completely dark appearance.
The frosted opaque state creates an excellent rear-projection surface. A standard projector aimed at the opaque smart film produces a bright, evenly distributed image visible from the opposite side. This dual-use capability is particularly valuable in conference rooms where the glass wall becomes a presentation screen without additional equipment.
Control Systems
Simple on/off wall switches provide basic control for individual glass panels. Available as toggle, rocker, or touch-sensitive styles to match existing electrical hardware. Wall switches are the simplest and most reliable control method.
Wireless RF remotes allow control from anywhere in the room. Multi-zone remotes can control multiple smart film panels independently. Remote controls are included with most installations at no additional charge.
Smart film integrates with Crestron, Control4, Savant, and other home automation platforms. Control via smartphone apps, voice assistants (Alexa, Google Assistant), scheduled automation, and scene presets. Ideal for whole-home smart film installations.
Commercial BMS (Building Management System) integration via dry contact, 0-10V, or BACnet protocols. Automated scheduling based on occupancy, time of day, or room booking systems. Essential for large-scale commercial deployments.
How We Work
We measure the glass surfaces, assess electrical access, evaluate environmental conditions (temperature, humidity, UV exposure), and discuss your privacy,
We specify the film type, control system, and power supply configuration. For retrofit installations, we plan the wire routing and switch placement.
Smart film is precision-cut to your glass dimensions. For laminated switchable glass,
Retrofit film is applied to cleaned glass surfaces, bus bars are connected, and wiring is routed to the power supply and controls. For laminated panels,
Common Questions
Client Reviews
“We installed smart film on all four conference room glass walls. The instant privacy is incredible -- one switch and the room goes completely private. Our clients are always impressed. As a bonus, we use the opaque glass as a projection screen for presentations.”
Michael P.
Tysons, VA
“The smart film on our master bathroom glass partition is perfect. Clear when we want the open, airy feeling, and frosted when we need privacy. It replaced blinds that were always getting moldy. Clean, modern, and zero maintenance.”
Lisa W.
Bethesda, MD
“Expert Glass Repair retrofitted smart film onto our existing patient room glass in a single weekend. The nurses love being able to toggle privacy for examinations while maintaining visual monitoring capability. Installation was fast and clean.”
Dr. James N.
Washington, DC
Why Expert Glass Repair
Expert Glass Repair has served the Washington DC metro area since 2004. Our smart film expertise combines deep glass knowledge with electrical integration skills for seamless switchable glass installations.
Virginia contractor fully insured. Full insurance coverage for all smart film and switchable glass installations. We coordinate with licensed electricians for power supply connections.
We use only premium PDLC film from established manufacturers with proven track records and comprehensive warranties. No low-cost alternatives that yellow, delaminate, or fail prematurely.
Retrofit smart film installation requires meticulous surface preparation and bubble-free application. Our installers are trained in the precise techniques needed for optically perfect results on glass of any size.
We integrate smart film controls with Crestron, Control4, Savant, and other automation platforms. Our installations include proper wiring, control programming, and testing with your existing smart home ecosystem.
Every smart film project includes a free on-site consultation with film samples you can see and touch. We demonstrate the switching effect on sample glass so you know exactly what to expect. Call (703) 679-7741.
Service Areas
Arlington, Alexandria, McLean, Tysons, Reston, Fairfax, Vienna, Herndon, Falls Church, Ashburn, Leesburg, Loudoun County, Prince William County
Northern Virginia office parks in Tysons, Reston, and Arlington are the primary market for smart film conference room installations. We also serve residential clients in McLean and Great Falls who install smart film in master bathrooms and home offices.
Bethesda, Rockville, Silver Spring, Potomac, Chevy Chase, Columbia, Annapolis, Gaithersburg, Germantown, Olney, Bowie, Ellicott City
Maryland healthcare facilities in Bethesda (including NIH campus), Rockville, and Silver Spring install smart film for patient privacy. Commercial offices along the I-270 corridor and residential clients in Potomac also represent a growing segment.
Downtown, K Street, Georgetown, Dupont Circle, Foggy Bottom, Capitol Hill, Navy Yard, The Wharf, Penn Quarter, NoMa, Southwest Waterfront
Washington DC offices on K Street, lobbying firms, law firms, and government-adjacent spaces install smart film for conference room privacy. Georgetown and Dupont Circle residential clients use smart film as a modern alternative to traditional window treatments.
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Learn MoreReady to Start?
Call us today or request a free estimate. We will survey your glass, demonstrate the technology with samples, and provide a complete proposal for smart film or switchable glass installation.