Smart glass in Miami, without replacing your glass
When people in Miami search for "smart glass," most of them want glass that switches from clear to frosted at a switch. There are two ways to get that effect: laminated PDLC smart glass, which replaces the pane with a factory-made switchable unit, or PDLC smart film, which is applied to the glass you already have. Deluxe Smart Film installs the film retrofit, and has completed 500+ installations across Miami-Dade, Broward and Palm Beach since 2020.
The retrofit delivers the same clear-to-frosted switch in under a second, costs a fraction of replacement glass, and is installed in a day with no demolition. On this page: how it compares to laminated smart glass, how the install works, what it costs, and when we will honestly tell you to buy real smart glass instead.
Smart film vs laminated smart glass in Miami
Both use the same PDLC technology. The difference is whether the switchable layer is sealed inside a new pane at the factory (smart glass) or applied to your existing glass as a film.
| What to compare | Smart film (retrofit) | Laminated smart glass |
|---|---|---|
| What changes | Film applied to existing glass | Pane is replaced with new laminated glass |
| Demolition / glazier needed | No | Yes — removal, framing, glazing |
| Lead time | Days, installed in one visit | Weeks — factory-made, ordered through a glazier |
| Cost per sq ft | $55–$90 installed | $150–$300 for the glass alone, plus installation |
| Best for | Existing homes, condos, offices, showers, sliders | New construction or full pane replacement |
| Warranty | 2 years on film, transformer and workmanship | Per the glass manufacturer |
How the retrofit works
- 1
A free on-site measurement. We identify the glass type, measure each pane, agree the zones and switch positions, and find a concealed spot for the transformer. The price is fixed in writing before any work starts.
- 2
The film is cut to each pane and applied to the interior face of the existing glass. No pane is removed; the edges are sealed against South Florida humidity.
- 3
The low-voltage transformer and wiring are concealed inside the frame, channel or wall. Control is a wall switch, remote, app, or a sunset timer — see how to control it for every option.
- 4
We test every panel with you, clean up, and start the 2-year warranty on film, transformer and workmanship.
Where Miami uses it
- Glass front doors and sliding doors — the most common residential request, switching from clear to private at the door.
- Showers and bathrooms — frameless enclosures and bathroom windows that frost on demand.
- Offices and conference rooms — glass partitions that go private for a meeting and open again.
- Storefronts and hotels — after-hours privacy for retail glass and guest-room partitions.
- Condos and high-rises — interior-only installs that need no exterior change, with the paperwork associations ask for.
What it costs
Switchable smart film runs $55 to $90 per square foot installed, depending on film grade, job size and complexity. A typical two-panel sliding door (50 to 60 square feet) costs $2,500 to $5,400 installed. See the full pricing guide for worked examples, or use the cost calculator for your own glass size.
When we recommend real smart glass instead
If you are in new construction or a full pane replacement is already planned, if a tower spec or a board requires laminated glass, or if the pane is an exterior-facing curtain wall that gets scrubbed on both sides, laminated smart glass may be the better choice. We do not sell laminated smart glass; we will tell you on the site visit when your project is one of those cases and point you to a glazier.
Frequently asked questions
Is smart film the same as smart glass?
No, but they produce the same effect. Smart glass is a laminated pane with the PDLC layer sealed inside at the factory; smart film is the same PDLC technology as a self-adhesive layer applied to the glass you already have. Both switch from clear to frosted in under a second.
Can you make my existing windows smart glass?
Yes, by applying switchable PDLC smart film to the interior face of your existing glass. No pane is removed, no glazier is needed, and the install is done in a day. The result is switchable privacy glass without replacing your windows.
How much does smart glass cost in Miami?
Switchable smart film applied to existing glass runs $55 to $90 per square foot installed. Laminated smart glass — new glass with the PDLC layer inside — runs roughly $150 to $300 per square foot for the glass alone, plus removal and installation. A 40 square foot shower is about $2,200 to $3,600 in film versus $8,000 to $15,000 in laminated smart glass.
Does smart glass film work on impact windows?
Yes. Smart film is applied to the interior surface of the glass, so the impact rating of the window is unaffected. We check the pane's sun exposure and any factory coatings first; read our impact-glass guide for exactly what we look at.
How long does installation take?
A single window or shower takes two to three hours. A whole bathroom or a set of sliders is usually one day. Offices with several conference rooms are scheduled after hours over one or two evenings.
Get a free site visit
We measure on site, confirm the glass type, and send a written quote the same day. Call (305) 833-7887 or book online.