Watch · What Is Smart Glass?
A demo of InHouse Smart Glass switching clear↔frost electrically — see it work before we dig into the Laminated/IGU builds and the specs below.
In Short · One Sentence
Smart Glass / switchable glass / PDLC privacy glass is Tempered Laminated glass with a PDLC Film laminated into its center at the factory, switching clear↔frost electrically — headline specs are 30-35dB sound dampening · 50-65% heat block (IGU + Low-E up to 88%) · 15+ year lifespan (Aquaris™/Lucida™ +50% boost) at 14,500-22,500 THB/sqm, differing from Smart Film in that it is laminated into the glass at the factory and so must be full-pane.
Definition · What Smart Glass Is, Technically
Smart Glass is two panes of Tempered Laminated glass with a PDLC Film laminated into the center bonded by EVA (Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate), produced in a factory through a temperature- and pressure-controlled lamination process, yielding a single pane of glass that can change its visual state.
In Thailand, InHouse Technology is the only R&D Brand Owner that researches and develops Smart Glass with its own PDLC formulas while controlling production at every stage, both Smart Glass Laminated (2-pane glass) and Smart Glass IGU (Insulating Glass Unit · 2-3 panes + air gap).
Also known as: switchable glass · PDLC privacy glass · electric frosted glass · smart glass · Switchable Glass · Privacy Glass · Electric Privacy Glass
How It Works · Sandwich Construction
Smart Glass Laminated has a sandwich construction — two Tempered glass panes clamping a PDLC Film in the center with EVA layers, at high temperature and pressure in an autoclave.
Tempered Glass (outer pane)
Rapidly cooled glass, 4-5 times stronger than ordinary glass, a Safety Glass grade that shatters into small blunt granules that don't cut, used 6-10 mm thick.
EVA Interlayer (bonding layer · top)
Ethylene-Vinyl Acetate is a flexible, sound-dampening bonding film; when the glass breaks, EVA keeps the shards bonded to the film so they don't fall, and it adds 30-35dB of sound dampening.
PDLC Film (the heart · middle)
The same PDLC film as Smart Film, but laminated into the glass at the factory; with the power off it turns opaque frost, and with 48-60V (AC/DC) it turns clear, using the same liquid crystal mechanism.
EVA Interlayer (bonding layer · bottom)
A second EVA layer below the PDLC Film · bonds the assembly and acts as an acoustic dampener.
Tempered Glass (inner pane)
A second Tempered glass pane, bringing the total thickness of Smart Glass Laminated to 9-13 mm, with the electrical connector hidden at the edge for wiring to the transformer.
Smart Glass · 2 Structural Builds
Smart Glass comes in 2 main builds — chosen by use case and energy-saving requirements.
Smart Glass Laminated · standard
Two Tempered glass panes + PDLC + EVA, 9-13 mm thick total, ideal for interior rooms · meeting rooms · partitions · Sexy Bathrooms (hotels).
- · 30-35dB sound dampening
- · 50-65% heat block
- · 15+ year base lifespan · +50% boost (Aquaris/Lucida)
- · 14,500-19,500 THB/sqm
Smart Glass IGU · Premium
An Insulating Glass Unit of 2-3 panes + an Argon air gap + Low-E coating, ideal for building façades · rooms needing maximum air-con savings · hot climates.
- · 35-42dB sound dampening
- · 75-88% heat block (IGU + Low-E max)
- · 55-70% air-con savings
- · 19,500-22,500 THB/sqm
Go deeper: Smart Glass Laminated vs IGU → · IGU + Low-E air-con savings →
30-35
dB · Sound Block Laminated
75-88%
Heat Block (IGU+Low-E)
15+
years · lifespan
Safety
Tempered Laminated Grade
Smart Film vs Smart Glass · 5 Key Differences
Both use the same PDLC base and the same clear↔frost function, but their construction and use cases differ · here are the 5 differences to know before you choose.
| Factor | Smart Film | Smart Glass |
|---|---|---|
| Bonds onto existing glass | Retrofit-ready | Full-pane only · replace the whole pane |
| Partial coverage (half/band) | Yes · saves 30-50% | Not possible |
| Tempered Laminated Safety | Depends on the existing glass | Safety Glass grade |
| Sound dampening (dB) | Depends on the existing glass | 30-35dB (IGU 35-42dB) |
| Replace/repair on failure | Peel off · 1 day/room | Remove glass · 3-5 days + built-ins |
| Price/sqm | 6,700-14,800 THB | 14,500-22,500 THB |
| Lifespan | 12+ years base · +80% boost (Outdoor/Performance) | 15+ years base · +50% boost (Aquaris/Lucida) |
The full comparison: Smart Film vs Smart Glass · all in one article →
Who and Where Smart Glass Suits Best
Smart Glass suits projects that are planned before the glass is ordered + need Safety Glass grade + sound dampening + can bear a higher CAPEX · example use cases:
New Build
Luxury homes · Pool villas
Planned at build time · façades · bathroom glass
Boardroom Premium
Board meeting rooms
Need sound dampening · high-level privacy
Healthcare
Operating rooms · NICU
Safety Glass · easy to clean
Facade · Atrium
Building façades · Atriums
IGU + Low-E · 55-70% air-con savings
Luxury Hotel Suite
Premium hotel suites
New build · large panes · sound dampening
Showroom Luxury
Showrooms · Boutiques
PNLC + Full Pane · sleek design
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does Smart Glass cost?
Smart Glass Laminated: 14,500-19,500 THB/sqm · Smart Glass IGU + Low-E: 19,500-22,500 THB/sqm · depending on size · glass thickness · options (Aquaris/Lucida) · installation framework · see the full specs on the Smart Glass page.
How many years does Smart Glass last?
Smart Glass Laminated base: 15+ years · with Aquaris™ or Lucida™: +50% boost · it naturally outlasts Smart Film because the PDLC is laminated inside the glass, never directly exposed to UV, moisture or external mechanical force.
How much sound does Smart Glass block?
Smart Glass Laminated: 30-35dB (vs ~25dB for ordinary glass) · Smart Glass IGU: 35-42dB · thanks to the EVA Interlayer + an Argon air gap · ideal for meeting rooms · Suite bedrooms · executive rooms needing acoustic privacy · go deeper: Smart Glass Sound Insulation STC →
Should I choose Smart Film or Smart Glass?
Smart Film if: renovate/retrofit · partial coverage · limited budget · need it replaceable · interior work · Smart Glass if: new build · need Safety Glass grade · sound dampening · façades · luxury suites · both use the same PDLC base · choose by construction and budget.
How is Smart Glass IGU better than Laminated?
IGU adds an Argon air gap + Low-E coating · raising heat block from 50-65% to 75-88% · 55-70% air-con savings · raising sound dampening to 30-35dB · ideal for building façades · hot climates · large halls with high air-con costs · Go deeper on IGU + Low-E →
Can Smart Glass replace existing glass in an old home?
Yes, but you must remove the existing glass and replace the whole pane · affecting built-ins · frames · edges · taking 3-5 days per pane · if you are renovating more than 1-2 panes, or want to save on cost, we recommend Smart Film instead · it bonds straight onto existing glass in 1-2 hours.
Which brand makes the clearest switchable glass?
InHouse Smart Glass + Lucida™ · using the Lucida™ R&D layer to reduce the haze of the PDLC base several-fold · nearly indistinguishable from bare glass · InHouse — the clearest switchable glass on the market · with a free On-Site Demo and a Confidence Policy (we fix it or refund 100% if it fails the agreed acceptance standard).
Plan Smart Glass for your project
InHouse engineers help you spec it free — choose Laminated or IGU · glass thickness · Aquaris/Lucida options · installation framework, covering every area in Thailand and 8 ASEAN countries.
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