A nice new product we have come across for our dental and medical fitouts recently is switchable glass. It’s a product that used to be unaffordable in commercial premises but like many things has become less expensive in recent times.

The glass contains liquid crystals which make it opaque. It is available in a range of shades.

When the liquid crystals are powered with an electrical current they go clear making the glass transparent. It doesn’t actually go completely clear. There is a slight haze but it is still very impressive. In some models it is possible to have a ‘dimmer’ that adjusts the level of transparency of the glass.

The glass can be connected to a normal switch or remote control so that the specialist can press a button to switch between clear and private in the consulting room.

The switch glass can be ordered as full glass panels (higher quality) for about $2,000 per square metre, or as retrofit tinting (lower quality) that can be applied onto existing glass for about $1,000 per square metre. Also allow the cost of getting power to the glass. This varies depending on where they are, and obviously fixed panels are easier to get power to than doors.