As a glazier with over 20 years of industry experience in Melbourne and Victoria, we’re often asked about the benefits of smart glass technology in buildings. Smart glass, which can switch between transparent and opaque states with the flick of a switch, offers some innovative functionality that is growing in popularity across both commercial and residential settings.
Getting to grips with smart glass technology
Smart glass, sometimes known as switchable glass or switchable film, uses special liquid crystal or electrochromic coatings on the glass surface to enable variable light transmission. An electric current alters the molecular structure of these coatings, causing the glass to transition between transparent and various tint states, right through to fully opaque.
This enables manual or automated control over the glass panel’s level of transparency with a switch, app or building automation system. Users can tint windows for privacy or glare reduction as needed. The technology has developed significantly in recent years, delivering improved switching reliability and durability.
Practical uses for smart switchable glass
There are two main categories of use cases for smart glass – privacy control and heat/glare reduction:
Privacy control uses:
- Meeting/conference rooms
- Office partitioning walls
- Bathroom dividers
- Hospital patient rooms
Solar/glare control uses:
- Skylights and curtain walls
- Storefront windows
- Internal glass partitions
- Glass splashbacks
Specific smart glass benefits for Melbourne buildings
After installing smart switchable glass in projects across Victoria and reviewing international research, I’ve seen it deliver the following benefits for Melbourne buildings:
- Adjustable natural light without heavy window furnishing
- Reduced HVAC costs via heat/glare control
- Added visual privacy for different functional spaces
- Improved aesthetics with modern, dynamic glass
- Greater flexibility of room usage
- Enhanced occupant comfort
This innovative glazing technology allows Melbourne buildings to better respond to our variable climate and conditions like strong summer glare. With local daylight access optimisation, smart glass creates more sustainable, productive environments.
How switchable smart glass panels are created
Crafting switchable smart glass requires specialist fabrication to apply the light-altering liquid crystal or electrochromic interlayers during the production process. This enables the glass panel to be connected to a control system and toggle between preset transparency states when voltage is applied across the conductive coatings. Precision assembly is required to deliver durable, properly insulated glazing units.
Smart glass types suited for melbourne weather conditions
With Melbourne experiencing four distinct seasons, buildings require adaptive glazing solutions. Photochromic smart glass offers automatic tint adjustment responding to UV and heat levels to control excessive solar glare without occupant input. Thermochromic type uses ambient temperature change to drive transparency shifts to reduce summertime overheating.
Compliance requirements for smart glass installation
While smart glass offers useful benefits, it remains a relatively new technology requiring strict standards adherence to fulfil structural performance, wiring safety, integration compatibility and compliance obligations. Accredited glaziers stay updated on the regulations including electrical codes and installation process requirements specific to switchable products under Australian Standard AS1288.
Automation capabilities
Modern smart glass can interface with a building’s automation systems like HVAC, lighting and security networks. This enables convenient centralised control alongside other facilities to harmonise environments. Automated scheduling of the glass tint level and desired heat/glare mitigation creates simpler management.
Conclusion
As an established Melbourne glazier, I foresee switchable smart glass becoming a ‘must have’ rather than a ‘nice to have’ across more commercial and residential buildings. With intelligent control systems, it provides useful functionality including adjustable transparency, solar heat gain mitigation and occupant privacy. For glazing solutions harnessing the latest innovations, speak to my veteran team.
