Switchable PDLC Film for Offices: Turning Glass Walls into Flexible Space

The modern office wants two things at the same time: openness and privacy.

Glass partitions look clean and make spaces feel bigger, but they also expose screens, whiteboards and sensitive conversations. Curtains and blinds are often an afterthought, and they do not match the minimalist look many companies want.

That is why more designers, contractors and corporate owners are looking seriously at switchable PDLC film for offices. It delivers on-demand privacy without giving up daylight or the open, transparent feeling of glass.

This article looks at what switchable PDLC film is, how it actually works in office projects, and what you should know before choosing a supplier such as Shuifa Singyes New Materials.

Main product references:

PDLC smart film product range            

Smart glass solutions for projects            

What is switchable PDLC film, in office language?

PDLC (Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal) film is a functional interlayer that changes from frosted to clear when power is applied.

Power off: film looks frosted, people cannot see details

Power on: film becomes transparent, you can see through the glass normally

In an office, that means:

A meeting room wall that is fully open visually during normal operation

One switch or button that turns it into solid privacy when needed

A surface that can also work as a projection screen in many cases

PDLC can be used in two main forms:

Smart film – installed on existing glass (self-adhesive) or laminated inside new glass

Smart glass – factory-laminated glass panels with PDLC in the middle

Shuifa Singyes New Materials supplies both smart film     and smart glass    , depending on whether it is a renovation or a new fit-out.

Where switchable PDLC film makes sense in offices

If you look at a typical floor plan, there are several obvious zones where switchable PDLC film for offices can add value immediately.

Meeting rooms and boardrooms

This is the most common application.

During normal operation, rooms stay transparent to keep an open feel

When confidential content appears on a screen, the wall is switched to frosted

Internal users no longer stick paper or tape on the glass for privacy

Benefits:

One surface can work as glass, privacy wall and projection screen

Visitors see a modern, clean look instead of blinds and curtains

Facility teams avoid constant cleaning and replacement of fabric blinds

Executive offices and focus rooms

Senior offices often have glass fronts so managers can stay visually connected with the team, but they still need privacy for calls and decisions.

Switchable PDLC film allows:

Transparent glass during daily work

Frosted glass during sensitive calls or one-on-ones

Quick change without drawing curtains or moving panels

Focus rooms and phone booths benefit in the same way.

HR, legal, finance and interview rooms

Departments dealing with personal or financial information need both:

Confidential conversations inside

A visible and welcoming design outside

Switchable film makes it easy to keep privacy when needed but keep the corridor side visually light and open when rooms are unused or in general operation.

Open-plan areas and flexible spaces

In open-plan offices, switchable film can be used to:

Divide a large space into zones for workshops or training

Turn a transparent glass wall into a temporary whiteboard background or projection surface

Provide visual focus for staff during intense work periods

Instead of building permanent walls, smart glass partitions allow the same area to be used in multiple ways throughout the week.

Choosing between smart film and smart glass in offices

When you work with a manufacturer like Shuifa Singyes New Materials, you usually discuss whether to use smart film or smart glass.

Smart film (especially self-adhesive)

Best for:

Renovations where existing glass partitions already exist

Projects where downtime must be kept short

Tenants who do not want to replace glass or touch the structure

Key points:

Film is applied directly to clean glass surfaces

Wires and busbars are planned to hide within frames or ceiling details

Can be installed room by room in a live office environment

You can see typical configurations here:
Smart film products for office partitions    

Smart glass (laminated PDLC glass)

Best for:

New build or full fit-out projects

Façade or external applications where safety glass requirements exist

High-end, long-term corporate offices where structure and design are fixed

Key points:

PDLC film is laminated inside the glass at the factory

Glass arrives at site as a finished smart glass panel

Often used where higher acoustic or structural performance is required

More information is available here:
Smart glass solutions for architectural projects    

In practice, many projects use a mix. For example, boardroom fronts may use smart glass, while internal retrofits on existing glass partitions use self-adhesive smart film.

Working with Shuifa Singyes New Materials as your PDLC partner

Shuifa Singyes New Materials is more than a trader of finished film. It is a vertically integrated smart materials manufacturer, with:

In-house ITO film production on roll-to-roll lines

PDLC formula development and wet-process coating

Smart film production, cutting and lamination

Smart glass manufacturing capacity and smart projection system development

For office customers, this means:

Consistent quality from batch to batch

Ability to handle large-scale roll production and precise custom cutting

Support for both smart film retrofits and smart glass new build projects

By sharing your office drawings, panel sizes and control requirements, you can work with their technical team to design a complete switchable PDLC film for offices solution, not just a list of materials.

Practical steps before starting your PDLC office project

Before you send an inquiry, prepare:

Floor plan and glass schedule

1. Mark which partitions and doors should be switchable

Panel dimensions and construction

1. Indicate which are existing glass and which are new

Frame and ceiling details

1. So wiring and busbars can be hidden

Control strategy

1. Simple wall switches, remote, or integration with a control system

Timeline and phasing

1. Whether the office is live, under renovation, or being built from scratch

With this information, Shuifa Singyes New Materials can give you clear technical advice and a realistic plan, instead of only a catalogue and a unit cost.

https://www.sympdlc.com/
Shuifa Singyes New Materials Technology