Flagship guide · 11 min read
The Complete Guide to Glass Specification
The frame gets most of the attention, but the glass does most of the work. This is our full guide to choosing it properly.
Privacy Glass: A Homeowner's Guide
Privacy glass gives control over overlooking without the permanent frosted look of obscure glass.
3 min read
Privacy is one of the most common reasons a homeowner asks us about glass specification, and it is worth understanding the full range of options before defaulting to standard obscure glass. Privacy glass covers a spectrum from fixed coated glass to switchable electronic glass that changes from clear to opaque at the flick of a switch, and choosing the right one depends on how much control you need and where the window sits.
This guide focuses on the coated and switchable end of that spectrum. For textured obscure patterns, see our separate obscure glass comparison guide.
Types of privacy glass
| Type | How it works | Control |
|---|---|---|
| Coated privacy film | A fixed coating reduces view-through while allowing light in | None — always private |
| Reflective glass | Mirror-like coating gives daytime privacy only | None — changes naturally with daylight |
| Switchable (smart) glass | Electrically charged interlayer switches between clear and frosted | Full — controlled by switch or app |
| Obscure patterned glass | Textured surface scatters light and view | None — fixed pattern, see obscure guide |
Switchable glass in detail
Switchable privacy glass uses a liquid crystal interlayer laminated between two panes. With power applied, the crystals align and the glass is clear; with power removed, they scatter and the glass turns an even, milky white. It requires a low-voltage electrical connection run to the frame, so it needs to be planned in early with your electrician, and it is more commonly used in internal screens, home office partitions and en-suite windows than in external walls, though external-rated versions exist.
- 01Confirm the locationDecide which openings genuinely need on-demand privacy rather than fixed privacy.
- 02Plan the power supplyA low-voltage cable needs to reach the frame, ideally agreed with your electrician before installation.
- 03Choose the control methodWall switch, remote, or app-based control depending on the product.
- 04Confirm lead timeSwitchable glass units typically take longer to manufacture than standard glass, so factor this into your project programme.
Cost and suitability
Switchable glass carries a significant cost premium over any other privacy option, often several times the cost of an equivalent standard unit, which is why it tends to be specified for one or two key openings — an internal home office screen, an en-suite window off a bedroom, a ground-floor study — rather than throughout a house. Fixed coated privacy glass and reflective glass sit much closer to standard glass pricing and suit situations where a single, consistent level of privacy is all that is needed.
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Suitable glass
Glass StudioPrivacy (Switchable & Satin)
Reflective Glass
Obscure Glass CollectionRelated hardware
Hardware Studio
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Glass Advice · 3 min read
Obscure Glass Patterns Compared
Obscure glass comes in a range of textured patterns, each with a different balance of light transmission and privacy.
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Reflective Glass Explained
Reflective glass gives strong daytime privacy and solar reduction, with a mirror-like appearance that suits some elevations more than others.
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