There’s no two ways around it– glass is a very important part of every modern home.

When you think of glass, you might not picture anything too exciting. After all, it’s just windows and doors, right?

Actually, there are plenty of trends in glass solutions for homes that are making glass more functional, sustainable, and stylish than ever before! We’re here to explore some of the newest trends in glass solutions for your home.

Switchable glass

Switchable glass is a relatively new trend that’s (literally) transforming the way we use glass. Switchable glass allows homeowners to control the transparency of their windows by switching between opaque or transparent at the flip of a switch.

This innovative glass solution is achieved by using a layer of liquid crystal molecules that align to create a clear window when an electric current is passed through them. When that current is switched off, the molecules return to their normal, random state, causing the glass to turn opaque.

Switchable glass offers many benefits for homeowners, including privacy, energy efficiency, and aesthetic appeal. It can be used in various applications, such as bathroom walls, skylights, and conference rooms. 

Smart glass

Smart glass, similar to switchable glass, is another glass solution that’s changing the way we interact with our windows.

Smart glass is a type of glass that can adjust its transparency based on the amount of light it receives, helping to control the amount of heat and glare that enters a home.

This effect is achieved by using electrochromic, thermochromic, or photochromic technology. Electrochromic smart glass, for example, uses an electric current to change the opacity of the glass– much like switchable glass, except automatic. 

Thermochromic smart glass responds to temperature changes, while photochromic glass responds to light.

Adding smart glass to your home can offer you additional energy efficiency and privacy, and can keep your house cooler during the warmer months by reducing the amount of light that enters through your windows and skylights.

Anti-reflective glass

Anti-reflective glass reduces the amount of light that reflects off of the surface of the glass, making it easier to see through and enhancing the visual appeal of a home.

This glass solution is achieved by applying a thin coating of metal oxide to the surface of the glass. This coating reduces the reflectivity of the glass, allowing more light to pass through. Anti-reflective glass is, in some ways, the opposite of smart glass and switchable glass; it can help to increase the amount of light that enters your home.

The authority on glass solutions, both new and old

At Hiegel Glass, we’ve been keeping up on trends in the industry since the 1940s. If you’re in the market to make some improvements on your home by replacing or upgrading your home’s windows, you’re in good hands.

Got any questions for us? Just give us a call or drop us a line today!