What is smart glass?

Smart glass is glazing that dynamically changes how much light, heat and glare passes through — keeping views and daylight when you want them, and adding shade or privacy when you need them.

Why Australians are choosing smart glass

1) Energy, comfort & ratings

Australia’s NCC 2022 tightens façade requirements, and new homes are moving to 7-Star NatHERS. Dynamic glazing helps designers meet targets without permanent dark tints or heavy blinds. Studies also report meaningful cooling-energy and lighting reductions when EC façades are used.

2) Sustainability pathways (Green Star & NABERS)

Projects chasing daylight, glare and comfort credits under Green Star can use dynamic glazing to keep visible light transmittance while controlling glare. NABERS design guidance also highlights how glazing/shading inputs materially affect operational energy modelling.

3) Hygiene & instant privacy

Switchable glass is replacing fabric curtains and dusty blinds in Australian healthcare fit-outs, improving cleanability and patient privacy on demand — with local case studies to prove it.

4) Smart-home ready

Smart glass connects to building management systems, apps and voice assistants, or can be sensor-driven by sun position and weather. It’s a natural upgrade alongside EVs, solar and battery storage.

Everyday Australian applications

• Premium homes — west-facing living rooms that self-shade on summer afternoons yet stay bright in the morning.
• Commercial offices — meeting rooms with switchable partitions instead of blinds; clear façades that still model well for Section J.
• Healthcare — ICUs, theatres and wards use privacy glass that goes opaque/clear at a tap, aiding infection control and visibility.
• Transport — SPD roofs in vehicles demonstrate rapid, durable tint control; lessons transfer to skylights and rooflights.
• Education & civic — flexible spaces where the same glass pane alternates between openness and privacy.

Australian standards & compliance

• NCC 2022 (Section J & Housing) — façade/rooflight/vision glazing performance requirements for energy efficiency. Read Part J4
• NatHERS 7-Star — national thermal-comfort benchmarks for dwellings. About star ratings
• AGWA & WERS — window energy ratings and guidance for Australian climates. Explore WERS
• Green Star / NABERS — daylight, glare and façade inputs influence credits and operational outcomes. Green Star daylight guide · NABERS design guide
• AS 2208:2023 Safety glazing in buildings — ensure your smart glass is certified to the current Australian safety standard. Standards Australia catalogue · AS 2208:2023 (sample)

Always confirm a valid AS 2208 compliance mark on the pane, and specify installation to AS 1288 with an Australian-experienced fabricator.

Smart glass suppliers active in Australia

• Switchglass (AU) — manufacturer/installer of PDLC switchable privacy glass with healthcare case studies.
• Smartglass International — PDLC solutions for residential and commercial projects.
• Glassworks Australia — publishes dynamic-glass technical papers for local specifiers.
• SageGlass — electrochromic façades; energy-savings and comfort case studies useful for Australian designs.
• Pilkington (NSG Group) — smart/dynamic glazing applications and coated substrates.
• Mercedes MAGIC SKY (SPD) — background on SPD technology used in automotive sunroofs.

FAQ — Smart glass in Australia

Is smart glass expensive?

Upfront costs are higher than standard glazing, but can be offset by downsizing blinds/shading and reducing cooling and lighting loads in modelling and operation.

Does it really save energy?

Electrochromic façades have demonstrated meaningful cooling-energy and lighting reductions in real buildings; suppliers publish case studies with measured results.

Can I retrofit it?

PDLC privacy glass is often retrofittable for interiors. EC and SPD are typically specified during new builds or major refurbishments, integrated into the IGU.

Is it compliant in Australia?

Yes — when the glass carries a valid AS 2208 mark and is glazed to AS 1288. Ask your supplier for evidence and data sheets.

How does this compare to tint film?

Film is fixed; smart glass dynamically switches. You keep clear daylight and views when you want them, and add shade or privacy on demand.

References

1. NCC 2022 — Section J (Part J4 Building fabric)
2. NatHERS — Thermal Star Ratings (7-Star context)
3. AGWA — Window Energy Rating Scheme (WERS)
4. GBCA — Daylight & Views Hand Calculation Guide
5. NABERS — Guide to Design for Performance
6. AS 2208:2023 — Safety glazing materials in buildings (sample)
7. Switchglass — Healthcare privacy glass case studies (AU)
8. SageGlass — Energy & comfort case study
9. SPD in Mercedes MAGIC SKY Control — Info pack