Frequently asked questions
Quick answers to the most common questions about PDLC smart film and switchable smart glass. For a deeper explanation of any topic, follow the link in each answer.
Smart film is a PDLC laminate applied to glass that switches between clear and frosted using a low-voltage electrical current — power off, the glass turns opaque; power on, it turns clear. See our full explanation on PDLC Smart Films.
PDLC is the underlying technology in all switchable smart film — microscopic liquid crystal droplets suspended in a polymer layer that scatter or align light depending on whether power is applied. Full breakdown here: How Does Glass Turn Opaque With Electricity?
Yes — it's a retrofit laminate applied directly to glass you already have, with no need to replace windows or doors. Compatibility is confirmed during a free site visit. See installation details.
No — it diffuses light rather than blocking it, so the glass turns milky-white while still letting daylight through, unlike a blackout blind. More on this on our Electric Opaque Glass Film page.
Yes — including glass doors, skylights, and overhead glass, though doors need extra care for hinge clearance and wiring. See our dedicated page on Switchable Glass Doors.
Via a wall switch, remote control, smartphone app, or building management system (BMS) for multi-zone commercial installations.
Yes — it's cleaned the same way as standard glass, using a non-abrasive glass cleaner and a soft cloth, with no special maintenance products required.
Yes — every Keystone Smart Glass Film installation includes a 2-year warranty covering the film, wiring, and controller unit, with a rapid technician response if anything fails under normal use.
How many controllers do I need for my smart glass installation?
This depends entirely on how many independently switched zones your project has, not the total glass area. A single room with one continuous run of windows typically needs just one controller, even if it covers several panels — as long as you want them all switching together. But the moment you want different areas to switch independently (say, a meeting room that stays private while an adjacent reception area stays clear), each of those zones needs its own controller and wiring run.
For residential projects, this usually means one controller per room where independent control matters — a bedroom, a bathroom, a home office — rather than one controller for the whole house. For commercial or multi-zone projects, this is exactly why we recommend a free site visit before quoting: a technician maps out your actual zones and wiring routes, so you’re not paying for controllers you don’t need or under-specifying a project that later needs rewiring to add independent zones.
If you’re planning a larger installation — an office floor, a multi-room villa, a phased development — our architects & developers pages go into more detail on zone planning and control system integration.
How eco-friendly are smart glass and smart film technologies?
Smart film contributes to energy efficiency in a couple of concrete ways, though it’s worth being precise about what it does and doesn’t do. In opaque mode, the film diffuses direct sunlight rather than blocking it outright — this reduces solar glare and can ease indoor heat load on sun-facing glass, which in turn can reduce reliance on air conditioning in those specific areas. This is particularly relevant in the UAE’s climate, where west- and south-facing glazing takes on significant afternoon heat.
It’s also a retrofit product, not a replacement product — since it applies directly to glass you already have, there’s no demolition, no disposal of old glazing, and no manufacturing footprint from producing entirely new glass panels. That’s a genuine advantage over full smart-glass panel replacement, which requires manufacturing and installing new glazing units.
What it isn’t is a certified “green building” product with formal environmental certifications attached — if your project requires specific sustainability certification documentation (e.g., for LEED or Estidama compliance), reach out directly and we’ll clarify what we can and can’t provide for your specific project requirements, rather than making a certification claim we can’t back up.