Switchable Smart Glass –
A Clever Alternative to Skylight Blinds

One of the biggest issues with a conventional flat roof skylight is the lack of privacy. If the roof of a property also serves as a separate floor outside, such as a roof terrace, privacy becomes an even greater concern with walk-on skylights exposing rooms underneath. In busy urban areas, privacy for skylights should therefore be a primary consideration. At Sunsquare, many of our clients in London and other major cities often request skylight blinds to complement our skylights.

However, as a company we remain wholly unconvinced by the designs of skylight blinds available. Subsequently, we have partnered with a leading UK glass manufacturer to offer an innovative alternative to using skylight blinds.

What is LCD Switchable Glazing?

Sunsquare’s pioneering range of fixed and opening skylights offers LCD Switchable Glazing as an additional glazing specification. This state-of-the-art smart glazing boasts impressive technical qualities and design-led features that make it a highly innovative addition to any home and a more effective solution than skylight window blinds.

It is fast becoming the switchable glass of choice among architects and interior specialists, helping to create more pleasant environments thanks to its intuitive, remote operation.

LCD Switchable Glazing diverts natural light away from interiors below, thereby creating privacy for residential and commercial properties. LCD Switchable smart glass can also be combined with colour interlayers and a wide range of tinted and patterned glass to meet bespoke requirements.

How does the LCD Switchable Glazing technology work?

The LCD Switchable Privacy Film contains two layers of transparent conductive film sandwiched with PDLC material. The film is laminated between two pieces of glass. When electricity is applied to the film, the liquid crystals align, and the switchable technology makes the glass transparent.

When the power is turned off, the liquid crystals return to their normal scattering positions, transforming the skylight glass from optically clear to opaque.

The LCD Switchable Privacy Film is manufactured with a self-adhesive cling layer on one side of the film, allowing it to be peeled and stuck between new skylight glass panes with relative ease. It is procured in standard widths and is then cut to size in-house to fit your skylight requirements and dimensions.

Switchable smart glass Vs Skylight blinds

Given the effectiveness, reliability and responsivity of switchable privacy glass, it begs the question as to why property owners would even consider installing roof lantern blinds instead of specifying switchable film between their skylight glass panes.

Instead of skylight blinds that are pulled down manually, at the flick of a switch property owners can activate the LCD Switchable Glazing technology to automatically filter out the sun’s hot summer rays and provide much-needed privacy whenever needed too.

Why homeowners choose switchable privacy glass for skylights

• Coloured interlayers available to suit interior designs If you want switchable smart glass for your skylight installation that accentuate internal colour schemes, LCD Switchable Glazing offers a broad-based palette of coloured interlayers. These distinctive hues can be as subtle or as dramatic as you wish.
• Solutions for security, fire resistance and sound control available LCD Switchable Glazing can even be incorporated into solutions for fire resistance, sound control and EN356 & LPS1270 security measures and tested to the relevant standards.
• Tested to the highest standards Speaking of standards, all switchable smart glass technology available within Sunsquare’s full range of flat roof skylights is tested in-house and by Europe’s leading independent third-party certifiers such as the British Standards Institute and BRE.
• Flexible for custom-size skylights and larger panes As multiple pieces of LCD Switchable Privacy Film can be joined together, switchable smart glass is also a roof light solution for bespoke skylights with unique shapes and profiles.

The benefits of using switchable glazing

• Privacy at the touch of a button, day or night.
• LCD Switchable Technology does not add considerable weight to a rooflight
• Well-suited for residential installations e.g. living rooms, basement cinema rooms etc.
• Highly effective for commercial applications e.g. corporate offices, hotels, restaurants, health and beauty salons, leisure centres etc.

This development is further proof that Sunsquare is pushing ahead at the cutting edge of glazing technology, specifying the most cost-effective and practical ways of creating the perfect roof window.

If you would like more information or a demonstration on our new LCD Switchable offering please don’t hesitate to contact our friendly sales team today by dropping us a line using our online contact form.