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Buying Switchable Glass Panels: Best Budget-Friendly Suppliers
Created on 12.11
Switchable glass panels have quickly become the modern solution to on-demand privacy. Whether it’s in automotive, construction, military, or the hotel industry, the smart glass technology is slowly changing the architectural default.
But this intricate technology needs to be executed precisely – that too by highly-skilled artisans with years of experience. So, how can you balance both quality and affordability for your next design projects? We have 5 smart glass suppliers who can do just that.
What Is Switchable Glass?
Switchable glass, also known as privacy glass, is an advanced glazing solution that mobilizes electrical affinity to block out sunlight. With just a tiny electrical impulse, the glasswork turns from opaque to completely transparent in a matter of seconds.
Common smart glass technology include Suspended Particle Device (SPD) and Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal (PLDC) models, alongside electrochromic systems. While these are active tech, the more passive thermochromic and photochromic applications are also widely available.
Smart glass presence and usage is common in multiple industries like :
· Residential & Commercial Buildings : Intelligent glasswork allow for added privacy and efficient space management, without the added costs of curtains, facades, or blinds.
· Office Spaces : In modern offices, it’s common to see multi-purpose meeting rooms with these smart-cloaking technologies. These flexible partitioning options allow the instant switch between collaborative and confidential areas.
· Hotels & Hospitality : Often, you’ll see smart glass incorporated into bathrooms, conference areas, and luxury suite builds. Alongside the privacy boost, the intelligent tech gives the space a more modern, premium feel.
· Retail & Showrooms : Some retailers and showrooms use smart glasswork as marketing gimmicks or as invisible entry points. Not only does this accentuate the private setting, the technology also doubles as a safety feature.
· Healthcare Facilities : Privacy glass is especially valuable in hospital settings where it reduces contact by replacing the use of blinds and curtains. This can greatly improve hygiene around the facility and curb the spread of germs.
How Does Switchable Glass Work?
These intelligent glass systems work by embedding active particles – either liquid crystals, suspended particles, or electrochromic coatings – between two glass or plastic sheets. The most common activator is electricity, but you can find those triggered by light and heat.
Here’s a quick table on the differences between the varying privacy glass technologies out there :
Technology | How It Works | Default State | Switching Speed | Industrial Applications |
Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal (PDLC) | Liquid crystals suspended in polymer scatter light when off; align when current is applied. | Opaque | 1–3 seconds | Office partitions, residential windows, healthcare |
Suspended Particle Device (SPD) | Nano-particles in liquid suspension scatter light randomly when off; align instantly with current. | Dark/opaque | Milliseconds | Automotive sunroofs, aerospace, luxury architecture |
Electrochromic | Uses electrochemical reactions to gradually change tint when voltage is applied. | Clear | 30–60 seconds | Skylights, facades, energy-saver glazing |
Photochromic | Coatings darken automatically when exposed to UV (like transition lenses). | Clear indoors | Passive (relies on strength of light source) | Windows in high-sunlight zones, skylights, or natural lighting panels |
Thermochromic | Glass changes tint in response to heat/temperature changes. | Clear in cool state | Passive (responds to quality of heat stimuli) | Climate-responsive facades, energy-efficient buildings |
PDLC, electrochromic, and SPD technologies are the most widespread since they can be triggered “on-demand”. Smaller, more naturally activated models like photochromic, and thermochromic glass see their biggest use in eco-conscious and green architecture.
Now that you’ve seen the tech, let’s see who can get you access to it at affordable price ranges.
Top 3 Global Suppliers Of Switchable Glass
On average, you can expect to pay US$70 to US$125 per square foot for standard smart glass panels. However, any add-ons, texturing, special glazing, and customizations can bump you up a notch. Here are the typical price ranges for each privacy glass type :
Technology | Average Price Point (per sq. ft.) |
Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal (PDLC) | US$70– US$90 |
Suspended Particle Device (SPD) | US$100– US$125 |
Electrochromic Glass | US$110– US$130 |
Photochromic & Thermochromic Glass | $80+ (varies greatly) |
With that as a general pricing guide, let’s take a look at our top 3 picks for the most affordable intelligent glass manufacturers worldwide.
#1 : Evermade Glass
Evermade’s switchable glass experts have decades of artisanal skill spanning its various technologies - PDLC, SPD, electrochromic, photochromic, and thermochromic systems. While capable of handling just about any type of intelligent glasswork, PDLC glass remains the flagship product.
Why choose Evermade?
· Factory-direct pricing when you purchase major switchable glass types.
· Wide range of customizations – optional IGU builds, coatings, films, textures, and tinted formats available.
· CCC, ISO, SGCC, BS, CE, and ASTM-certified and ready to ship globally.
· Sizes up to 3,300 × 22,000 mm and thicknesses starting at 3+3 mm to 25+25 mm.
· Customizable finishes – fine polishing, edging, drilling, and more.
· Exclusive volume-based discounts for orders exceeding 1,000 sqm.
Price Range :
· PDLC Glass : Prices start from US$50. Final quotes depend on size, thickness, complexity, and glazing requirements.
· SPD & Electrochromic Panels : Evermade often comes in 10–15% lower than Western/EU suppliers who set prices around the US$95+ per sq. ft. mark
· Photochromic & Thermochromic Glass : Custom quotes that usually start at the US$75 per sq. ft. point.
#2 : Smartglass International
Smartglass boasts world-class technical expertise, having delivered over 4,000 projects in across 35 countries. Their trademark intelligent glasswork range includes the Privacy Smart Glass (PDLC), Solar Smart Glass (SPD), and Blackout Smart Glass (PDLC + SPD).
Why choose Smartglass?
· You can enjoy a variety of smart glass configurations – curved, fire-rated, tinted, insulated, and more.
· Every Smartglass product comes with a 5-year guarantee.
· Premium materials like low-iron float glass, German-made PVB, and industry-grade PDLC films make for exceptional, high-clarity finished products.
· Pieces are made-to-order & shipped globally.
Price Range :
· While Smartglass doesn’t state its pricing schedules, we estimate their starting prices for intelligent glasswork in the $80–$140 per sq. ft. range. Prices may vary depending on customizations and add-ons.
#3 : Polytronix Inc.
Based in the USA, Polytronix is the industry pioneer of Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal (PDLC) switchable glass technology. With over 3 decades of experience in code-compliant glass manufacture, the company has earned rank as one of the trusted suppliers – both locally and globally.
Why choose Polytronix?
· PDLC glass artisans with 35+ years of expertise in producing laminated panels and retrofit films, switching instantly between opaqueness and transparency.
· Their Polyvision® range are PVB laminated, UL-recognized and come with a 3-year, limited product warranty.
· Order intelligent glasswork as full IGUs, single laminates, retrofit smart films, or even patterned/sectional designs, such as their patented PolyBlind™.
Price Range :
Polytronix’s prices remain undisclosed but our safe estimates place their starting price around the US$130 per sq. ft. mark. True quotes may differ, especially if you’re keen on custom pieces or made-to-order products.
Switchable Glass Supplies: Stylish, Safe & Affordable
Setting up smart glass systems in your commercial or residential space doesn’t have to be expensive. With us at Evermade, you’ll enjoy warehouse pricing on all our privacy glass products and optional customizations. Reach out to our team for a quote and get your intelligent glass order in today.
Questions or Consulting
We are committed to excellence in everything we do and look forward to working with you!
Evermadeglass Co., Ltd.
Evermadeglass Co., Ltd.
Contact Person: Johnny
E-mail: info@evermadeglass.com
Tel: +86 13714074610
Add: Room 101, No.1, Shixi Seventh Lane, Longxi Community, Longgang Street, Longgang District, Shenzhen, Guangdong Province, China
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