Hello folks,
I am looking for a smart film to protect my top-floor apartment from the sun and keep it cool in summer. Is there a special name for such smart films?
Thank you.
Looked into it years ago. It is expensive, requires wiring to a power supply. Smart shades are expensive too, but these seemed more reasonable than this.
Nathan said:
Looked into it years ago. It is expensive, requires wiring to a power supply. Smart shades are expensive too, but these seemed more reasonable than this.
There’s an unpowered version that can be applied as a film, but the downside is you have to scrape the paper off and reapply to change back and forth. (It’s called butcher’s paper and glue sticks, for anyone interested.)
Nathan said:
Looked into it years ago. It is expensive, requires wiring to a power supply. Smart shades are expensive too, but these seemed more reasonable than this.
Me too, it’s quite thick, and not completely clear - kind of hazy.
Nathan said:
Looked into it years ago. It is expensive, requires wiring to a power supply. Smart shades are expensive too, but these seemed more reasonable than this.
Last I looked, the clear state wasn’t as clear as clear glass either, and looked slightly hazy. Maybe tech has improved to make it fully transparent now?
@Colin
I installed some on some shower glass about a year ago, and you could tell the film was on the glass(because it was about a 32nd thick)but it was pretty dang clear. We did have trouble running the power to the hinged door without messing up the wiring after repeated openings.
Tsuna said:
@Natalie
Where did you source it from and roughly how much was it? Looking at doing this for a bathroom window that looks over another internal section of the house.
It was a window tint company local to my shop that provided the material. I wanna say it was like $60/sqft and you’ve gotta run 12v to it. If you respond to this comment on Monday, I’ll track down my supplier/manufacturer and zero in on what it cost us
@Natalie
Nice! Sounds like a neat use for the stuff
Another thing to keep in mind is these require constant power draw to stay in the clear state, about 0.5w per square foot, so for a typical sized window it’ll probably draw more power than running a typical led light bulb whenever you want it clear.
Maribel said:
@LuminousLore
PNLC operates the other way around. Stays clear while off and opaque when on
I’m sure there’s also a version that’s opposite. I’ve seen this tech in fancy privacy windows for public bathrooms and my understanding is the fail safe for power outage is opaque.
Maribel said:
@LuminousLore
PNLC operates the other way around. Stays clear while off and opaque when on
Interesting thanks!! I want clear for like 80% of the time on a big window so this may be the ticket.
Edit: looks like from my limited digging PNLC is only available as the glass and not an aftermarket film. Shucks.
Edit 2: looks like maybe there are some pnlc films. If anyone has one they would suggest I’m down to know. The websites look sketchy so far 
@LuminousLore
But you only want it frosted when it is too sunny, so use solar power to keep it frosted, if the clouds roll, then it becomes clear. If you want to choose when you lose your privacy, then a small backup battery will sort that out.
I used a search engine to search for “powered window electric opacity”
One example I found is https://electratint.com/residential/ and you can find others if you also use a search engine.
Amber said:
I used a search engine to search for “powered window electric opacity”
One example I found is Smart Glass Windows Residential Tint Installation Services and you can find others if you also use a search engine.
I’m planning on purchasing from Electratint in a couple of months. I spoke with a few tinting companies, but they came across as much more honest.
@Jarrod
Cool. Seems neat and I hope it’s the bee’s knees for you!
I’d like a guitar that uses this technology to change its look at a button press.
Beyond that, I know nothing. I just duckduckgo’d “powered window electric opacity” in hopes I could find OP’s requested information.
I never spoke with anyone and never developed opinions about anyone’s honesty.
You can get Low-E tint instead, for the heat. And if you have a quality film, they don’t need to block much/any visible light to see a huge reduction in both heat and UV.
Try a search for Filmbase
I wonder if anyone makes a room darkening version of this?
I have non intelligent old power sunscreens and would love to replace with something with darkens the room similar.
I mean what is the cost of putting blinds into the ceiling recessed so you can’t see them and just having them drop down? I feel like this would be a better solution than the on/off window. Plus some blinds have heat reflecting technology so you can stop any heat from coming through those windows
I wanted this years ago and when I looked to do it I was not willing to pay the outrageous price. When it gets cheaper I’ll come back around or if I hit a small lotto