Applications
Skylights and façades
The most demanding application, and the one where specification matters most. External glazing exposes PDLC to sustained UV and heat — so what works internally has to be built differently here.
An honest caveat. PDLC is a privacy technology, not primarily a solar-control one. It blocks up to 99% of UV, but for glare and heat management on a large façade, SPD or electrochromic glass is often the better engineering answer. We will tell you when that is the case.
What changes on an external elevation
Sustained UV exposure is the main difference. Internal partitions see very little; a west-facing façade sees a great deal. That makes UV inhibitors in the adhesive non-negotiable, and it makes laminated glass strongly preferable to retrofit film.
Heat is the second factor. In Indian summers a glass surface temperature on a west elevation can climb high enough to accelerate every degradation mode, so we normally pair PDLC with a low-E or heat-reflective build-up rather than relying on the film alone.
Third is the fail state. A skylight that turns opaque in a power cut removes overhead daylight from the space below. For atria and top-lit circulation, backup power is strongly advised rather than optional.
Finally, structural and safety requirements apply as they would to any overhead or façade glazing — the switchable layer does not change your obligations for wind loading, overhead safety glass or fall protection.
How we specify external glazing
- Laminated units only — never retrofit film on an external elevation
- UV inhibitors in the adhesive, confirmed on the manufacturer's spec sheet
- Low-E or heat-reflective build-up on west and south-west elevations
- Backup power for skylights and atria where daylight is the primary source
- Neutral-cure structural sealants compatible with the PDLC film
- Overhead safety glass specification per the relevant standard
- Drivers sized with headroom for large continuous runs
Typical façade and skylight budgets
| Application | Area | Indicative total |
|---|---|---|
| Residential skylight | ~80 sq ft | ₹2.5L – ₹4.5L |
| Atrium roof section | ~400 sq ft | ₹12L – ₹22L |
| Office façade bay | ~250 sq ft | ₹7.5L – ₹14L |
| Conservatory roof | ~300 sq ft | ₹9L – ₹17L |
Façade questions
Does PDLC reduce heat gain?
It blocks up to 99% of UV, which helps, but it is not primarily a solar-control product. For meaningful heat rejection it should be combined with a low-E or heat-reflective build-up — or you should consider SPD or electrochromic glass instead.
How long will it last outdoors?
Laminated smart glass with UV inhibitors performs well externally, though sustained direct sun ages it faster than an internal partition. Retrofit film on an external elevation is not something we recommend or warrant.
What happens to a skylight in a power cut?
It turns opaque, removing overhead daylight from the space below. For atria and top-lit circulation we strongly advise a backup circuit — the load is small enough that a modest UPS is sufficient.
Can it be used on a curved façade?
Yes. Curved and shaped panels are manufactured to drawing as custom units. Expect custom-cut rates and longer lead times than standard rectangular glazing.
Keep reading
Related guides
Request a quote
Get an itemised price
Send us the area and space type. You will have a written, line-by-line quotation within one business day — including controls and installation, not just the glass.
- +91 80 0000 0000
- hello@pdlcsmartglassfilm.com
- Ahmedabad · Bengaluru · Mumbai · Delhi NCR