Summary First · Decide in 30 Seconds
Choose Smart Glass Tempered Laminated if:
- · It's an indoor building area · inside a home
- · You don't need high thermal heat control
- · Your budget is 14,500–19,500 THB/sqm
- · Sound dampening of 30–35 dB is enough
Choose Smart Glass IGU if:
- · Facades · roof glazing · poolside glass · sun-exposed areas
- · You want to cut air-conditioning cost by 55–70% (with Low-E)
- · High-level sound dampening (35–42 dB)
- · Office buildings · hotels · premium grade
The Two Structures · How They Differ
1. Smart Glass Tempered Laminated
Laminated safety glass — two panes bonding an EVA (Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate) film with a PDLC layer in the middle, total thickness ~9–13 mm. The EVA film both holds the fragments together on breakage (like an automotive windscreen) and absorbs sound at the 30–35 dB level.
2. Smart Glass IGU (Insulated Glass Unit)
Tempered Laminated glass (with PDLC) assembled together with another pane, with an air cavity or argon gas in between, 6–16 mm, the edges sealed with a spacer and sealant against moisture, adding an optional Low-E coating (a heat-reflective layer) on the inner surface of the second pane to reflect infrared radiation and lower the U-Value.
Heat Control · How Much Air-Con Cost You Can Save
This is the main reason customers choose Smart Glass IGU despite the higher price — IGU + Low-E cuts heat conduction the most among glazing options available in Thailand.
| Structure | Heat control | Approx. air-con saving | °C reduction (vs clear glass) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ordinary clear glass (reference) | ~0% | 0% | 0 |
| Smart Glass Tempered Laminated | 50–65% | 35–50% | 6–9 °C |
| Smart Glass IGU (no Low-E) | 65–75% | 45–55% | 8–11 °C |
| Smart Glass IGU + Low-E | 75–88% | 55–70% | 10–13 °C |
Figures tested under InHouse sample-room conditions · real results depend on window orientation, glass area, wall insulation and the building's air-conditioning system.
More on air-con savings → Smart Glass IGU + Low-E · How Much Air-Con You Really Save
Sound Dampening · STC Rating
Tempered Laminated
STC 35–38
Reduces noise 30–35 dB · enough for meeting rooms, ordinary bedrooms and hotel rooms
Smart Glass IGU
STC 38–44
Reduces noise 35–42 dB, ideal for studios · master suites · buildings beside the BTS
In depth → Smart Glass Sound Dampening · What Is STC · Is It Really Quiet
Weight · Price · Lead Time
| Property | Tempered Laminated | Smart Glass IGU |
|---|---|---|
| Thickness | 9–13 mm | 20–32 mm |
| Weight / sqm | ~25–32 kg | ~45–60 kg |
| Price (installation included) | 14,500–19,500 THB/sqm | 19,500–22,500 THB/sqm |
| + Low-E coating | — | Included in the 19,500–22,500 range |
| Lead time | 14–21 days | 21–35 days |
| Supported framing | Standard aluminium frame | Requires a curtain-wall or unitized frame designed for IGU |
Note: price depends on size · number of panes · control system (remote / Smart Home / sensor) · installation area · project terms.
Choosing Laminated or IGU by Use Case
| Use Case | Recommended | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Meeting room · Boardroom | Laminated | enough dampening · no sun · fits the budget |
| Master Suite bedroom | Laminated | privacy + general dampening |
| Sexy Bathroom shower screen | Laminated | inside the home · no high thermal need |
| Showroom · shop · ground-floor office | Laminated | ordinary indoor storefront |
| High-rise facade | IGU + Low-E | full sun exposure · must cut air-con cost |
| CEO meeting room on a west-facing window | IGU + Low-E | both heat and privacy |
| Glass skylight roof | IGU + Low-E | vertical sun exposure · must cut thermal to the max |
| Poolside glass, Pool Villa | IGU (Aquaris™) | resists moisture + heat |
| Recording studio room | IGU | STC 40+ required |
| 5-star hotel · rooms beside the BTS | IGU | reduces train and street noise |
| Senior-living building | IGU | quiet + stable temperature |
InHouse · Proprietary Layers No One Else in Thailand Can Do
Whether you choose Laminated or IGU · InHouse adds proprietary R&D layers that no other brand in the Thai market has:
Aquaris™ Layer
Adds resistance to water, humidity and sunlight degradation, extending Smart Glass lifespan by +50% boost (vs Indoor 15+ years base), ideal for facades, balconies and outdoor areas · Explore →
Lucida™ Layer
A Pure Clarity layer that reduces haze several-fold versus standard PDLC, until it's nearly indistinguishable from bare glass, ideal for premium work · Explore →
Both layers can be integrated into either Tempered Laminated or IGU — an optional enhancement without changing the structure.
Installation · Points to Consider
- · Framing: Laminated at 9–13 mm is supported by standard aluminium frames · IGU at 20–32 mm requires a purpose-designed curtain-wall or unitized system
- · Weight: IGU is ~2x heavier — the building structure must be calculated to bear the load, especially for large panes
- · Wiring: the InHouse team keeps the wiring completely hidden from view · routed inside the frame or through the wall · a finish so seamless it doesn't look like film was installed
- · Transport: IGU requires more careful transport and storage · it has a moisture-blocking edge seal that must not be damaged
- · Install time: Laminated 1–2 days/room · IGU 2–3 days/room (due to weight + specialized framing)
Warranty and Confidence Policy
Per-project warranty terms are stated in the contract — InHouse applies a Confidence Policy for both Laminated and IGU: if the delivered work fails the agreed acceptance standard, we will remedy it or refund 100% per the agreed terms · covering glass quality, the Smart Glass system and installation standards.
An IGU-specific factor: the edge seal is the point requiring a long-term warranty — InHouse uses a high-quality sealant to prevent gas leakage and moisture ingress between the panes.
Frequently Asked Questions · Laminated vs IGU
How much more is Smart Glass IGU than Laminated, and is it worth it?
The difference is about 8,000–13,000 THB/sqm · worth it when: (1) The area gets full sun → cuts air-con cost 20–30% a year, paying back in 5–8 years (2) You need the full 35–42 dB of sound dampening (3) It's a premium building where the design and curtain-wall cost are already in the budget Not worth it if it's an indoor area with no sun.
What is Low-E · why use it with IGU?
Low-E (Low Emissivity) is a thin coating that reflects infrared radiation (heat) while letting visible light through · applied to the inner surface of the second pane inside the IGU cavity to reflect heat back out of the building · it halves the U-Value versus a standard IGU · cutting total air-con cost by 55–70% versus clear glass.
Can IGU be used with Smart Home?
Yes · InHouse IGU is designed so the wiring exits the glass edge as a short wire tail to connect to a Smart Home Hub (Matter, Apple Home, Google Home, Tuya, Mi Home), to the same standard as Tempered Laminated.
Does IGU get fogging or rain leaks between the panes?
It's a common concern · InHouse uses a warm-edge spacer + a dual-layer sealant (primary PIB + secondary polysulfide) to prevent moisture and argon-gas leakage · with edge-seal testing before shipping · in the event of seal failure within the warranty period, the whole pane is replaced under the Confidence Policy.
Can I switch from Laminated to IGU later?
You can, but the whole pane must be replaced — at a price equal to a fresh install · why you should plan from the start: the weight and thickness differ 2x · a frame sized for Laminated isn't designed for IGU · the budget-friendly option is to add an external heat-blocking window film instead (though its performance isn't equal to IGU).
Is there a triple-glazed IGU option?
Standard InHouse Smart Glass IGU is double-glazed (Double IGU) · a triple IGU is a custom per-project build — used only for LEED Gold/Platinum buildings or very cold climates · in Thailand, Double + Low-E is generally enough for the maximum saving per budget.
Still Not Sure Whether Your Project Should Be Laminated or IGU?
Send an InHouse engineer your plan or facade photo — we'll analyze sun orientation · height · glass area · the building's air-con system, then assess which formula is the best value for your budget, free.
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