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Film price vs installed price
| What's included | Published range | Source |
|---|---|---|
| Smart window film, average | $30 to $45 per sq ft | HomeAdvisor [1] |
| Smart tint film (DIY install) | $25 to $55 per sq ft | HomeGuide [2] |
| Switchable film from one maker, by quality | $37 to $69 per sq ft | Smart Glass Country [3] |
| Film material at one LA installer | $50 to $120 per sq ft | Rapid Window Tinting [4] |
| Installed with wiring and controls, LA | $75 to $175 per sq ft | Rapid Window Tinting [4] |
The low numbers are what film costs to buy. The high number is what one installer charges for a finished job in an expensive labor market. Your quote will likely land between them.
What adds to the price
The Los Angeles installer breaks a project into three parts [4]:
- Film: $50 to $120 per sq ft, depending on clarity, haze, and lifespan.
- Electrical parts: $200 to $800 per zone for the transformer, wiring, and switch or controller. App, voice, or home automation control sits at the high end.
- Labor: $15 to $40 per sq ft. Curved glass, high windows, or old film that has to come off cost more.
If there's no outlet near the glass, running new wiring through walls or ceilings can add $500 to $2,000 or more [4]. HomeGuide puts professional installation at $50 to $75 per hour [2]. Shipping film from one maker is a flat $120 in the US [3].
Cost by window size
HomeGuide lists these installed film prices by window size [2]:
| Window (inches) | Smart film, installed |
|---|---|
| 24 x 24 | $125 to $250 |
| 24 x 36 | $175 to $350 |
| 36 x 48 | $350 to $725 |
| 48 x 60 | $600 to $1,200 |
| 72 x 48 | $700 to $1,400 |
These are lower than the Los Angeles installer's examples. That installer prices a 15 sq ft window at $1,125 to $2,625 and a 60 sq ft conference room partition at $4,500 to $10,500 [4]. Expect real quotes to vary widely by area and by how much wiring is needed.
Why small jobs cost more per foot
The transformer, controller, and setup cost about the same whether you cover one window or ten. That's why one small window costs the most per square foot [2][4]. HomeGuide says orders over 100 sq ft can come in as low as $70 to $100 per sq ft for smart glass, against $130 to $150 for small single orders [2]. If you're doing more than one window, quote them together.
Running cost
PDLC film uses very little power. One maker rates its film at under 0.5 watts per square foot [5]. Another says 120 sq ft uses no more than a 60-watt bulb [3]. The LA installer estimates $5 to $10 a year to keep 50 sq ft clear during business hours [4].
Warranty and lifespan
HomeGuide puts smart film at 10 to 20 years [2]. Warranties are shorter: one maker covers standard film for 3 years and premium film for up to 7 [3]. Ask every installer what the warranty covers and for how long, and compare that rather than lifespan claims.
FAQ
Is smart film cheaper than smart glass?
Yes, usually. HomeAdvisor puts smart window film at $30 to $45 per sq ft against $50 to $150 for installed smart glass [1]. The LA installer says replacing glass with factory smart glass can cost 2 to 4 times as much as a film retrofit [4].
Can I install smart film myself?
Some film is sold for DIY, and HomeGuide's $25 to $55 range is for DIY installs [2]. Applying it cleanly is hard, and any new wiring should be done by a licensed electrician [2][4]. HomeGuide says professional installs tend to last longer [2].
Try the cost calculator or request smart film quotes.
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