It’s Curtains for Blinds – Smart Glass Windows Are Taking Over

For many years, the ability to control light and heat passing through residential glass windows has always come down to one of two options – curtains or blinds. However, fast forward to 2015 and smart glass windows are quickly taking over from curtains and blinds as the most popular means of controlling light, glare and heat passing through a window in residential homes.

We’ve seen smart glass windows used in the design of commercial buildings like East Wintergarden, England for quite some time now but you can see expect to see a surge in the number of residential homes featuring smart glass windows going forward.

Why are smart glass windows fast becoming residential homeowners preferred option over windows and curtains?

Complementing Modern Design
There’s no doubt out about it – curtains and blinds take away from the minimalist, sleek design offered by glass windows. One of the key reasons for maximising the use of glass windows in the design of a commercial or home space is to achieve a modern look. Clunky curtains and blinds diminish the desired visual impact of glass windows and doors.

Smart glass windows on the other hand, serve to complement the vision of achieving a modern design and their technology adds a “futuristic” element to the design of a build. Instant privacy is obtained through the ability to control the amount of light allowed into the home. No need for blinds, no need for curtains.

Lower Energy Costs
While smart glass windows may require a larger initial investment than blinds or curtains, they will serve to prove the more cost-effective and affordable option in the long run. By enabling you to control the amount of heat and light passing through the window, smart glass can help you to significantly reduce your household energy consumption.

Within just a few years, you are likely to have already recouped the difference in costs between investing in smart glass windows vs. a combination of conventional glass windows and either curtains or blinds. Smart glass windows continue to become more and more affordable so it is certainly worthwhile enquiring about costs before you rule out the option.

Superior Light Control
Smart glass windows can block light and heat independently of each other. You can block out glaring sunlight without having to block out the glorious heat from the sun – the same cannot be said for curtains or blinds. There is no trying to adjust blinds to sit at an appropriate angle or pulling curtains over and back.

A simple flick of a switch enables you to precisely choose the level of light allowed to pass through your windows. Control the flow of light into your home without having to leave the sofa – smart glass windows can even be controlled by remote!

More Hygienic Solution
Standard glass windows accumulate dirt and dust particles quite quickly. How often do you find yourself glancing over at windows and thinking “I must have those cleaned”? A big contributing factor to the dirt and dust build-up on your windows is the presence of curtains and blinds. They are both havens for accumulating dirt and bacteria.

Smart windows are a far more hygienic option which require less maintenance. This is largely due to the fact that smart glass offers anti-bacterial properties and of course, smart glass windows do not require the presence of blinds or curtains which stand to accumulate dirt and dust particles all day long.

Smart glass windows are set to become a very prominent feature in commercial and residential architecture over the next 10 years. Interested in adopting this innovative technology in your next project? Browse through our past projects and our switchable smart glass products to discover the many possibilities available with smart glass technology.