Save £250– Get a free no-obligation quote.
ASK Glazing

Glass & Glazing

Specialist glass and glazing systems engineered for performance — warmer rooms, quieter homes, safer openings and lower bills, year after year.

The Glass

Smart Glass

Smart glass (also called switchable glass or PDLC glass) uses a liquid crystal film between two panes that responds to a small electrical current. Switch on — the crystals align, light passes through and the glass is fully clear. Switch off — the crystals scatter, light still passes through but the glass becomes completely opaque. The result is privacy on demand, with no blinds, curtains or window film required.

Get a free quote
Smart Glass
Privacy On Demand
Why It Matters

Privacy On Demand

It's a striking modern feature for bathrooms, en-suites, partitions, conservatory roofs and any glazed area where you want the option of instant privacy. Smart glass can be controlled by wall switch, remote, smartphone app or smart-home integration, and works with any of our framing materials and styles.

  • Switches clear to opaque at the touch of a button
  • Wall switch, remote or smart-home control
  • Replaces the need for blinds or curtains
  • Full daylight in both clear & opaque modes
  • Ideal for bathrooms, partitions & conservatory roofs
  • Available in any frame style or material
Energy efficiency rating
Energy Rating

Privacy & Solar Control

Smart glass U-value varies slightly between clear and opaque modes, and the opaque mode also acts as solar control — reducing summer heat gain when activated. When integrated into a double-glazed sealed unit, A-rated thermal performance is achievable in both modes.

How To Verify

Ask the manufacturer for the U-value in clear mode, the solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) in both modes, and the expected switching speed. Look for the BFRC rating on the complete sealed unit.

Get a free, no-obligation quote

Tell us a little about your project and our experts will put together a tailored quote — usually within one working day.

Up to £250 off this month
  • FENSA-registered installers
  • 10-year insurance-backed guarantee
  • Over 30 years of expertise
  • Free, no-obligation site survey
Prefer to talk?Call 07535 101010

Smart Glass — common questions

A film of liquid crystals is sandwiched between two panes of glass. With no power, the crystals scatter randomly and the glass appears opaque. When a small electrical current is applied, the crystals align and the glass becomes clear. Switching takes about a tenth of a second.
Yes — opaque mode blocks visibility but still lets a high percentage of daylight pass through, so the room stays bright. It's more like a soft frosted finish than a blackout — for full darkness, you'd still need a blackout blind.
The glass defaults to opaque (its 'off' state), so privacy is maintained. The minor downside is you lose the ability to switch to clear until power is restored. Some installations include a battery backup for short outages.
Bathrooms, en-suites and shower screens are by far the most popular — instant privacy without permanent frosting. Other common uses include glass office partitions, conservatory roofs over hot tubs, and feature panels in modern entrances and orangeries.
Modern PDLC smart glass typically lasts 10-15+ years before any noticeable degradation in performance. The film inside the sealed unit is sealed from moisture and UV, and the electrical components are low-voltage and very reliable.
Yes — smart glass is almost always specified as part of a double or triple-glazed insulated unit, so you get full thermal performance alongside switchable privacy. We'll spec the complete unit at survey.

More in Glass & glazing

Obscure / Frosted Glass

Obscure / Frosted Glass

Privacy glass for bathrooms, en-suites and street-facing windows — full daylight, full discretion, in a range of decorative patterns.

Low-E Glass

Low-E Glass

Low-emissivity glass with a microscopic metal coating that reflects heat back into the room while letting daylight pass through.

Self-cleaning Glass

Self-cleaning Glass

Self-cleaning glass with a special coating that breaks down dirt and uses rainwater to wash it away — perfect for hard-to-reach areas.

Save £250 — Get a Free Quote

From residential homes to commercial buildings, we deliver high-quality glazing solutions with expert craftsmanship. Every project is carried out with precision, durability, and meticulous attention to detail.

Get Quote
WhatsApp us on07535 101010