Glass doors are a beautiful way to enhance the exterior and interior of any space by letting lots of natural light through, providing views and extending the eye to make rooms feel larger. However, glass doors come with the disadvantage of reducing privacy and security.
Imagine if you could have full glass front doors without worrying about privacy or compromising on the way they look? Read this article to learn about the best privacy options for glass doors.
Smart Privacy Glass and Film
Switchable glass and film go from clear to frosted with the flick of a switch, providing privacy on demand. This effect is achieved by tiny PDLC crystals that align when powered on, making the glass transparent, and scatter the light in the absence of an electrical current, making the glass opaque.
This is the most convenient privacy option for glass doors as privacy glass can be controlled via a wall switch, remote control, smartphone, home automation system or voice command to Siri or Alexa. Switchable glass becomes private in a fraction of a second, making it a great option for vulnerable areas as it can be part of security systems and lockdown procedures.
Another advantage of smart glass doors is their minimalistic look. When the glass is switched to transparent, the glass is crystal clear. Smart film and glass can be installed on any type of door whether it is a swing door, sliding door, folding door or frameless door. Smart Privacy Glass offers all kinds of innovative wiring solutions for different types of doors that are discreet.
One Way Privacy Film
This reflective film is applied to glass to block the view from one side, making it look like a mirror, while allowing people to see out from the inside. One way privacy film is non-adhesive and clings to the glass by static only, making it easy to install and remove. This option also blocks UV rays and reduces heat transfer. However, this film cannot become completely clear and blocks some of the natural light.
Frosted Glass
Opting for frosted glass is another way to increase privacy for glass doors. This is usually a textured glass with an etched finish or pattern that blurs the image one sees when looking at the glass.
Frosted glass does come with a few drawbacks, the main ones being that there is no option to have the glass clear and that the frosting partially blocks the light. With smart glass, you can switch the glass to opaque whenever privacy is desired and enjoy the full benefits of clear glass and ample natural light the rest of the time.
Vinyl Stickers
Vinyl stickers are a common temporary solution to the privacy issues associated with glass doors, especially for rental units or short-term commercial leases where it doesn’t make sense to invest in longer-term solutions or make significant changes to the property. Vinyl stickers come in all kings of designs and distort the view through the glass.
As with any cheap solution, vinyl stickers come with quite a few disadvantages. They can attract dirt, meaning they need to be cleaned frequently. However, constant cleaning can make the edges of the stickers peel away from the glass, making replacements necessary. This is why we only recommend them as a temporary solution. Vinyl stickers also have the same drawback as etched glass, as they block natural light and cancel out many of the benefits of having glass doors in the first place.
Blinds
Blinds are the most obvious solution to privacy concerns for glass surfaces, though they are not the most modern. They are, however, highly customizable when it comes to the colors and materials and can complement any existing interior decor. They also tend to be quite economical, though the price can become quite high depending on what you are looking for.
One drawback of placing blinds on glass doors is the noise that they make whenever the door is opened or closed. They also take up space on the door frame and reduce the amount of light coming through even when fully opened. The stack or roll blinds create at the top of the door frame can also be quite unpleasant. Blinds also require regular cleaning as they accumulate dust easily and they tend to be difficult to clean. Lastly, cheap blinds tend to break easily, especially on doors where they are rattled around and can get caught.
In conclusion, the most modern, convenient and long-term solution for glass door privacy is switchable glass technology. While one way privacy film, vinyl stickers and blinds are a quick and cheap way to add privacy to glass, they tend to create problems and incur additional costs in the long run. Make the smart choice and opt for privacy on demand. Contact us today for a free quote or for more information.