Smart Glass – Electric Tint
No matter what you call it it’s cool!
In short, smart glass or electric tint is basically a coating on your glass (glazing if you will) that reacts to an electrical current. When there is no current, the glass is opaque but when you hit the switch it’s perfectly transparent.
Simple! 
Why is it so cool? Well for starters you won’t need curtains ever again! Second, just imagine how jealous your friends and neighbors will be when they see how your windows “white-out” with a flick of a switch! Instant privacy.
Smart glass technologies are electrochromic devices, suspended particle devices, and liquid crystal devices. I know that doesn’t mean much to you (me neither) but there are slight differences between them and the way they block UV rays and the Sun’s heat.
Smart glass (or switchable glass) is often used for skylights where it can be most useful since using or cleaning any type of blind on a skylight can be rather difficult and frustrating.
Even though the technology behind it is pretty old, these systems can still be quite expensive (although not so expensive that they prevent ordinary people from owning them). I’m not sure if there are any well known companies (Nation wide chains, etc.) selling or installing these systems but if you know of one please don’t hesitate to leave a comment for the rest of us! (don’t spam though, one link per company is enough)
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August 21st, 2007 at 4:51 am
is the chemical compound of the glass different or is it a film that… if so what is this chemical that allows for such a drastic change?
August 29th, 2007 at 6:36 pm
This is a great idea to keep cooling bills down if it actually blocks heat… and heating bills if it allows heat in when not activated.
August 30th, 2007 at 12:29 pm
Jason - I think it’s a film (or glaze) that is applied to the glass.
Ryan - If it works as good as most manufacturers claim then it should be pretty good… if not, at least it’s a cool gadget!
August 30th, 2007 at 11:25 pm
I saw this on a home show a few years back. They used it in a bathroom. Such a great idea.
October 5th, 2007 at 1:32 am
is there a 12 volt version? if so how could i get it installed or can i do it myself?
October 5th, 2007 at 1:33 am
i meant to include that i would eant it for a car…
October 5th, 2007 at 6:55 pm
I’m not sure but I do recall hearing about “electric car tint” some time ago… maybe it’s the same thing?
January 7th, 2008 at 9:52 pm
This sounds like an efficient way to tint your windows. My main question is, How much does it cost? I also wonder how much it would cost to fix if a pebble hits your window and you get a crack. You will need to replace the whole window. Hopefully it is affordable. If there is an affordable company that sales this electric tent I would buy it for my car. I need something extra to pimp my ride.
January 9th, 2008 at 1:48 pm
I think it’s expensive.
I could be wrong but from what I’ve heard, it’ll cost you.
On the bright side, cars have much less glass than houses and car tint usually goes on the inside.
March 7th, 2008 at 1:49 pm
free car quote…
Excellent post. Keep it up!…