Shower screens
The signature application. An open, spacious bathroom that becomes private only while the shower is in use.
Safety
Is switchable glass safe in bathrooms and wet areas?
Yes, when it is specified properly. The concern is understandable — electricity beside a shower — but the voltages are low, the film is sealed inside the laminate, and the requirements are well established.
48–65VAC at the panel
5W/m²Power draw when clear
SealedFilm inside the laminate
OpaqueFail state on power loss
Why it is safe
The film never carries mains voltage. A driver steps 230V down to roughly 48–65V AC before it reaches the glass, and the current involved is very small — around 5W per square metre.
In a laminated unit the conductive layer is fully encapsulated between two panes of glass with sealed edges. There is no exposed conductor anywhere on the panel. Water on the surface simply cannot reach the electrical layer.
The driver and any switching hardware sit outside the wet zone entirely — typically in a ceiling void or an adjacent cupboard — with only low-voltage cabling running to the panel.
There is also a useful safety bonus: because PDLC fails opaque, a power cut mid-shower leaves the screen private rather than suddenly transparent.
What to specify for a wet area
- Laminated smart glass, never retrofit adhesive film — exposed edges wick moisture
- Fully sealed perimeter edges rated for wet-area use
- Neutral-cure silicone only; acid-cure attacks the PDLC film
- Driver and controls mounted outside the wet zone
- Toughened safety glass to the relevant standard for shower screens
- A switch located outside the shower enclosure itself
- Confirm the installation against local electrical zoning requirements
Where it works well
Bathroom partitions
Separating a wet zone from a dressing area without closing the space in or blocking borrowed daylight.
Ensuite to bedroom
A glass wall between bedroom and ensuite that switches private on demand — common in luxury residential and hotel suites.
Hotel suites
A recognisable premium feature that photographs well and reliably lifts perceived room value.
Common questions
Can water damage the glass?
Not the panel itself. In a properly sealed laminated unit the film is encapsulated in glass. The vulnerability is always the edge seal, which is why retrofit film is unsuitable for wet areas and full edge sealing is specified.
Is there a shock risk?
No. The panel operates at 48–65V AC with the conductive layer fully encapsulated, and the driver sits outside the wet zone. There is no accessible conductor to contact.
What about steam and condensation?
Surface condensation is harmless and clears like any glass. Persistent steam in a poorly ventilated bathroom stresses the edge seal over time, so normal bathroom ventilation should be in place.
How do I clean it?
Mild soap and a soft cloth or squeegee. Avoid ammonia-based glass cleaners and solvents, and avoid abrasive pads — the same rules as any quality glazing.
Keep reading
Related guides
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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.
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- hello@pdlcsmartglassfilm.com
- Ahmedabad · Bengaluru · Mumbai · Delhi NCR