Switchable glass is a window or door pane that can change from private to clear with the flip of a switch. Sierra Pacific now offers switchable glass through CLiC technology in select products. It gives you privacy when you want it and a clear view when you don’t, without giving up the energy performance you expect from a quality window.
Why are people asking about switchable glass?
Most homeowners hit the same wall at some point. They want big windows for light and views. They also want privacy in bathrooms, bedrooms, offices, and street-facing rooms. The old answer was blinds, shades, curtains, or frosted glass. Each one has a trade-off. Blinds collect dust. Shades block the view even when you want it. Frosted glass is private, but it stays private all the time.
Switchable glass solves that trade-off in a different way. The glass itself changes. One moment it looks like a normal window. A second later, it looks like a soft white panel. No moving parts. No fabric. No cleaning blinds.
This blog explains what switchable glass is, how it fits into Sierra Pacific products, and what you should know before adding it to a project. It is written for homeowners and for the contractors who help them make these choices.
How does switchable glass actually work?
Switchable glass uses a thin layer of liquid crystal film between two panes of laminated glass. When power runs through the film, the crystals line up. Light passes through. The glass looks clear. When the power is off, the crystals scatter. Light still passes through, but you cannot see shapes on the other side. The glass looks private.
A few things are worth knowing:
- The change happens fast. The pane switches state in under one second.
- When the power is off, the glass defaults to its private state. So a power outage gives you privacy, not a clear view into your home.
- It can be turned on and off with a wall switch, a phone, a smart home system, or a building control system.
In Sierra Pacific products, this technology is offered through CLiC switchable glass, made by Cardinal IG Company. Sierra Pacific builds it into the window or door at the factory. You receive a finished unit, not a film added later.
Where does switchable glass fit in a home?
Switchable glass is not meant for every window in the house. It is meant for the spots where privacy and view fight each other. A few common examples:
- Bathrooms. Clear views during the day, private at night, no need for blinds in a wet area.
- Primary bedrooms facing the street or a neighbor.
- Home offices that double as guest rooms or video call backdrops.
- Interior partitions between living spaces, where you want flexible separation.
- Pivot doors where a fabric covering would not work well.
In the current offering, switchable glass is available in three Sierra Pacific products: Direct Glaze Plus, TimberLITE 2.0, and Pivot Doors. The maximum glass size is 59 inches by 96 inches, in rectangles only, up to 39 square feet per pane. Larger or shaped openings are not available at this time.
If you are unsure whether your design fits inside those limits, your Select Remodeler can confirm specifics.
Does switchable glass affect energy performance?
This is one of the most common questions, and it is a fair one. Big glass panes can drive heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer.
The CLiC switchable glass used in Sierra Pacific products is built as a laminated insulating glass unit. It uses Low-E coatings and a warm-edge spacer with a dual seal. The thermal performance is in line with most standard Low-E coated insulating glass on the market today.
In plain terms, you are not trading away energy performance to get the switchable feature. You are getting both in the same pane.
That said, exact performance numbers vary by product line, glass package, and climate zone. Details depend on the product line and installer. A Select Remodeler can walk you through the right glass package for your region, whether that is the Pacific Northwest, Northern California, Colorado, or anywhere else in the program area.
How is switchable glass controlled?
The control side is where homeowners often get curious. The glass can be wired to:
- A standard light switch on the wall
- A smart home app on a phone or tablet
- A whole-home or building management system
That means you can keep things simple with one switch, or you can group panes together, set schedules, or tie the glass to other smart features. The choice depends on how the home is wired and what the homeowner wants.
This is also a good moment to plan ahead. Switchable glass needs power at the window or door. That decision should happen early in the design phase, not after the wall is closed up. Bringing your Select Remodeler and your electrician into the same conversation early saves time later.
What are the common mistakes to avoid?
There is no single right answer. Both are real-wood products. Both are built to perform. The choice comes down to a few practical questions.
A few things tend to trip people up. None of them is a deal-breaker. They are just easier to handle when you know about them up front.
- Treating it like a film add-on. Switchable glass is built into the unit at the factory. It is not a film you stick on later.
- Forgetting about wiring. The pane needs power. Plan the electrical run before drywall goes up.
- Picking the wrong rooms. Switchable glass shines in privacy-sensitive spaces. Putting it on a window with no privacy issue is often money better spent on other glass features.
- Skipping the size check. The current size limits are real. Confirm your opening fits before drawing it into a plan.
- Assuming pricing. Pricing depends on size, product line, and project. Your Select Remodeler can confirm specifics.
Want to learn more? Talk to a Select Remodeler
Switchable glass is a newer option, and it adds steps to the install. The wiring, the unit handling, and the customer walk-through all matter. This is one reason the Select Remodeler Program exists. Remodelers in the program are evaluated against defined standards for working with Sierra Pacific products. They know the products, the order process, and the installation steps.
We do not promise pricing, timelines, or outcomes for any individual project. What we can say is that homeowners who want a newer product like switchable glass benefit from working with a remodeler who already knows the line. Your Select Remodeler can confirm what is available, what fits your design, and how the order works for your region.
