Electronic privacy glass is fashioning in the luxury residential market. The product is aimed at homeowners who want the same privacy that comes from motorized shades but with potentially cleaner lines.
For integrators, the product can be an add-on . Typically, a window glazing contractor does the installation, according to Innovative Glass Corp., a New York-based maker of LC Privacy Glass sold under the brand name eGlass. But integrators can purchase the product for their clients and enlist a subcontractor to do the installation (and the connection if you do not have an electrical license), thus earning the product margin vs. giving it away.
In terms of connectivity, the powered glass does require a 120VAC hookup but does not require a separate circuit. When unpowered,the glass is frosted or “private.” When powered, the particles in the glass align and make the glass “clear.”
When compared against motorized shades, eGlass is more expensive. It runs about $150 to $225 per square foot depending on the configuration.
From a control standpoint, the glass can be controlled via a wall switch or it can be wirelessly controlled via a simple remote control. The glass can also be controlled by Crestron, Lutron, Savant, Control4 and other systems, as well as through their apps.

The company touts eGlass as an option to “eliminate mechanical shades, blinds and other bulky window coverings.”
“LC Privacy Glass is versatile and never clashes with a rooms design; therefore it fits any style whether modern, minimalistic, retro or traditional. LC Privacy Glass can be used for exterior windows, as well as interior walls and doors to separate spaces in a clean and modern style,” says the company.

One of the most common applications for LC Privacy Glass is in bathrooms and wet environments, where blinds and shades tend to get damp, dirty and need to be maintained. Even in the “private” state, the glass allows diffused light to pass through which permits for harvesting natural daylight and reducing the need for artificial lighting. If there is a loss of power, the windows automatically revert to their private state.
For added flexibility, sections of LC Privacy Glass can be selectively and independently controlled within the same window. The top portion clear, while the bottom is frosted for modesty mode. Frost the top portion while leaving the bottom portion clear for glare control.
The glass can also be used for odd shaped and hard to reach windows and skylights.

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