Only thing I am familiar with is companies that make the IGU's

and or film, I am not aware of any window companies that offer switchable glass in their window line.

Can you please share the companies you are familiar with? Thank you!

Innovative Glass, Sage Glass, View Glass. I have worked with all three.

Thanks! I’ve actually gotten quotes from two of the theee. View glass, told me they don’t sell to residential homes currently. Do you have a preference?

I believe (asahi glass-research frontiers is the developer and licensor for both smartglassinternatiinal and innovative glass.

The two most evident features of electrochromic glass (other than the performance) is that they are thick and HEAVY, and they are scary expensive.

I am not sure how many different companies are currently manufacturing Electrochromic IG's, but I know of three off the top of my head...Sage (the originator of the concept), View, and Halio.

Like millworkman, I don't know of any residential window companies that offer electrochromic glass in a standard residential window because of the combination of weight and the ability the fit the glass into a standard residential sash and frame.

Generally the very few residential EC IG installs that I have heard about were installed into the window opening using direct-set-fixed architectural (versus residential) technique and hardware rather than being installed as a residential window. That doesn't mean that they have never been installed as a residential window, but I would bet real money that it isn't common (if at all).

If I was interested in installing electrochromic glass in my home I would start by contacting one of the companies directly to see what they have to say. And if you really haven't looked into these previously, be prepared for extreme sticker shock.

Oberon476 thank you for the informative response. I’ve gotten a few quotes from several of the above mentioned. Electrical components are excluded with their prices. I am not sure what to expect on that.

mjq,2108, you're welcome.

This is a very interesting technology so fun to discuss.

Generically I would suggest that there are four different categories of "smart" glass that might be of interest.

The first being electrochromic or glass that changes from clear to dark because of an applied electric current.

Second is thermochromic or glass that changes because of heat.

Third is photochromic or glass that changes when exposed to light. Eyeglasses that turn dark are photochromic.

Sage, View, and Halio are electrochromic, while Innovative SolarSmart is photochromic. The only thermochromic glass that I am familiar with is Suntuitive from Pleotint but I am not a particular fan of that technology.

And finally there is "switchable" glass that goes from opaque to clear when an electrical current is applied. This glass isn't really considered to be an "electrochromic" product since it's for privacy rather than energy performance...but I am sure there are variations with both privacy and energy performance in mind either under development or maybe even available somewhere, but none that I am familiar with.

Also "switchable" are often third-party films that are laminated to the glass, versus the other options that are typically coatings chemically applied to the glass.

My preference in electrochromic is Sage.

Thanks again! I’ve actually done some research before on the types of “smart glass”.

I think you meant sage, view and halio are electrochromic not thermochromic.

Sage- only deals with commercial applications of 10k sq ft or more. View does not work with residential homes as well.

I will try to reach Halio, since it is a new build.

I really do not like tinted windows for homes so I use solar shades for the fact I can install them easily they can be motorized and still control heat, UV and allow the view not to mention cheap. I guess for the ones you want you will be limited to who will work with residential applications but I guess if you have the money anything is possible and of course if you re using commercial building techniques in your new build it might be possible to convince one of those companies to at least consider it.

Thank you Patricia, will consult with the architect further down the line.

I'm curious to know what the bids you have are like cost-wise, if you are willing to share? Not that I'm going to be doing this in my home. I just figure it would be really expensive, but have no idea how expensive.

mjq2108,

I think you meant sage, view and halio are electrochromic not thermochromic.

Yes I did, and thank you for catching that! I fixed it in the original post to avoid confusion.