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Technology Comparison
PDLC vs. SPD Smart Glass
Privacy control versus glare control.
PDLC (Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal) is designed for privacy, switching from clear to frosted. SPD (Suspended Particle Device) is designed for light control, tinting from clear to dark blue/black to block light without turning opaque.
| Feature | PDLC (Privacy) | SPD (Tinting) |
|---|---|---|
| Primary Purpose | Complete Privacy | Glare & Light Control |
| Off State | Frosted / Opaque | Dark Tinted |
| On State | Clear | Clear (Slight blue tint) |
| Privacy Level | Full visual privacy | Silhouettes visible |
| Best Application | Bathrooms, Conference Rooms | Skylights, Exterior Facades |
What each option costs in Miami
PDLC smart film installed on the glass you already have runs $55 to $90 per square foot in Miami, so a two-panel sliding door is about $2,500 to $5,400. SPD (suspended particle device) is not a retrofit film: it is sold as new laminated glass, typically quoted at $100 to $200 or more per square foot for the glass alone before the old glass is removed, the frame is reworked and, for exterior openings in Miami-Dade, a new product approval is pulled. The same slider in SPD glass usually lands well above $10,000. Both draw a small current only in the clear state; PDLC uses about 0.3 to 0.5 watts per square foot while clear and nothing while frosted.
Which one should you choose?
Choose SPD if the problem is glare and heat on a skylight, a west-facing curtain wall or a yacht's saloon windows and you are replacing the glass anyway: SPD dims to a deep blue-grey while staying see-through. Choose PDLC film if you need real privacy (a bathroom, bedroom, exam room or conference room) or you want to keep the glass you have. SPD never turns opaque, so silhouettes and movement stay visible through it, especially at night with the lights on.
Frequently asked questions
No. SPD darkens rather than frosts. At full tint it cuts light and glare dramatically, but someone outside still sees shapes and movement, particularly after dark with interior lights on. For privacy you need PDLC, which scatters light into a uniform white when it is off.
Not in practice. SPD is laminated inside new glass units and installed by a glazier, which means replacing the window or door. PDLC is a self-adhesive film applied to the interior surface of the glass you already own, usually in a day, with a small transformer and a wall switch or remote.
No. We install PDLC smart film only. If your real need is heat and glare control rather than privacy, we will say so and suggest pairing smart film with a solar-control window film, or a glazier for SPD or electrochromic glass. See our smart film vs window tint guide.
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