Smart glass is a form of laminated glass that switches from clear to opaque when an electric current is applied or withdrawn. It's a privacy screen that you can literally turn on or off with the flick of a switch. This makes smart glass ideal for situations where privacy is occasionally required. Think shower screens, office partitions and hospital rooms. It can also act as an impressive modern alternative to curtains or blinds – or can be used for security reasons in banks, prisons and luxury retail stores. Smart glass is known by many names. We call it "switch glass", but you'll also hear it called "LCD glass" and "electric tinting glass", among other things.

How does smart glass work?

Our smart glass darkens electronically thanks to a special NPRLC interlayer. This layer is sandwiched between two panes of glass and contains many tiny liquid crystal molecules. When an electric current is applied, the NPRLC layer is invisible. This is because the liquid crystal molecules line up in neat rows, which allows light to pass through. However, when the current is withdrawn, the molecules disperse randomly and block the passage of light. To the naked eye, this happens instantly. Those molecules move fast, so the NPRLC interlayer goes from clear to opaque in a split second.

How does TG SWITCH glass compare to electrochromic glass?

Electric auto-tinting glass technology has developed over the years. The first widely available technology was called electrochromic glass. This was a less-than-perfect solution – the glass often had a yellow tint and suffered from slow response times. Large electrochromic windows could take as long as 30 minutes to go completely opaque. This was followed more recently by PDLC glass. This significantly improved response times and clarity. TG SWITCH represents the latest evolution of switchable privacy glass. It uses a third-generation NPRLC film and boasts the best clarity and fastest response time available on the UK market.

Where can I buy smart glass?

Right here! ToughGlaze is a trusted smart glass manufacturer based in the UK. We've partnered with a leading LCD engineering laboratory to create one of the most advanced smart glass solutions available today. To get started, simply request a quote.

TG SWITCH Glass | Smart Switchable Privacy Glazing

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The best smart switch glass on the market, bar none.

Smart glass technology has come a long way. LCD glass windows, doors and partitions are now a common sight in commercial and residential spaces around the world.

But no other smart glass solutions come close to TG SWITCH. Our liquid crystal glass is the only solution to feature a third-generation NPRLC film and unique water-resistant interlayer – along with a raft of clever features that make it ideal for smart homes and offices.

That's not all. Thanks to our state-of-the-art glass processing facilities, we can cut your smart glass into any shape and customise it to suit a wide range of specialised and decorative applications.

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Trusted for 30+ years

Remember: we're not just smart glass suppliers – we're one of the UK's most trusted names in commercial glass. When you buy from us, you get the peace of mind that comes with 30+ years of experience and expertise.

Instant privacy

TG SWITCH goes from clear to opaque in just 0.01 seconds – faster than the human eye can register.

Instant privacy

Incredible clarity

You won't find anything clearer. TG SWITCH boasts the best transparency and lowest angle haze on the market.

Incredible clarity

Energy efficient

Our electric glass is designed with energy efficiency in mind and boasts very low operational and maintenance costs.

Energy efficient

Water-resistant

TG SWITCH is the only liquid crystal glass to incorporate our unique water-resistant interlayer, making it ideal for structural applications.

Water-resistant

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Smarter than the average switch glass

Discover a new world of smart glass tech with advanced remote-control and error-reporting features.

TG SWITCH is at the vanguard of smart glass technology. It's a next-generation product that's tailor-made for smart homes and responsive workplaces.

Our electric glass can be controlled with our easy-to-use smartphone app (Android/iOS) or with a compatible smart assistant like Amazon Alexa. Alternatively, you can control it from anywhere in the world through our secure web app.

And in the unlikely event of a fault, it will probably notice before you do. TG SWITCH can be fitted with a SIM card to allow for automatic error reporting.

Compatible with:

Anti-reflective switch glass

Our LCD switchable glass boasts the highest transparency on the market. Choose our low-iron anti-reflective glass option to make the best look even better.

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Switchable security glass

When you need maximum security and privacy, we've got you covered. Our electrical glass can be manufactured to offer protection from manual attack, ballistic attack or explosive blasts.

Switchable security glass

Electric tinted glass

Turn TG SWITCH into a colourful decorative display. Select from a palette of more than 50 electronic glass tints, including a variety of colours and shades.

Electric tinted glass

Smart glass windows

Our smart glazing can be produced as double- or triple-glazed units to allow for easy installation and to improve heat and solar protection levels. Expect a U-value as low as 0.2.

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Smart glass privacy screens

Harness TG SWITCH as a fixed or portable privacy barrier. Ideal for hospitals, banks, prisons, airport screening areas and jewellery retailers.

Smart glass doors

TG SWITCH brings a new level of privacy to sliding doors and bi-fold doors. Great for homes, offices, restaurants and other commercial and residential spaces.

Switchable security glass

Smart glass bathroom fixtures

With its incredible clarity and instant operation, our smart switchable glass is tailor-made for shower doors, washroom screens and bathroom windows.

Electric tinted glass

Sales and support

Buy switchable glass from one of the UK's leading commercial glass suppliers. Trust ToughGlaze to deliver on spec and on time – every time.

Trusted for glass processing since 1993
Distribution throughout the UK mainland (depending on order)
ISO 9001:2015 accredited for quality management

Speak to the experts

Frequently asked questions

What is smart glass?

Smart glass is a form of laminated glass that switches from clear to opaque when an electric current is applied or withdrawn. It's a privacy screen that you can literally turn on or off with the flick of a switch.

This makes smart glass ideal for situations where privacy is occasionally required. Think shower screens, office partitions and hospital rooms. It can also act as an impressive modern alternative to curtains or blinds – or can be used for security reasons in banks, prisons and luxury retail stores.

Smart glass is known by many names. We call it "switch glass", but you'll also hear it called "LCD glass" and "electric tinting glass", among other things.
How does smart glass work?

Our smart glass darkens electronically thanks to a special NPRLC interlayer. This layer is sandwiched between two panes of glass and contains many tiny liquid crystal molecules.

When an electric current is applied, the NPRLC layer is invisible. This is because the liquid crystal molecules line up in neat rows, which allows light to pass through. However, when the current is withdrawn, the molecules disperse randomly and block the passage of light.

To the naked eye, this happens instantly. Those molecules move fast, so the NPRLC interlayer goes from clear to opaque in a split second.
How does TG SWITCH glass compare to electrochromic glass?

Electric auto-tinting glass technology has developed over the years.

The first widely available technology was called electrochromic glass. This was a less-than-perfect solution – the glass often had a yellow tint and suffered from slow response times. Large electrochromic windows could take as long as 30 minutes to go completely opaque.

This was followed more recently by PDLC glass. This significantly improved response times and clarity.

TG SWITCH represents the latest evolution of switchable privacy glass. It uses a third-generation NPRLC film and boasts the best clarity and fastest response time available on the UK market.
Where can I buy smart glass?

Right here! ToughGlaze is a trusted smart glass manufacturer based in the UK. We've partnered with a leading LCD engineering laboratory to create one of the most advanced smart glass solutions available today. To get started, simply request a quote.