Smart Glass Maintenance: How to Keep Your Investment in Top Condition

The installation of smart glasses in any building instantly elevates its status. Apart from adding elegance and class, they also usher in comfortability and privacy via flexible switching between opaque and transparent modes. It’s a high-class tech that significantly improves the aesthetics of any space.

This high-value investment, without any doubts, needs proper care to last long. That’s why periodic cleaning with the right materials is compulsory. This article gives practical advice on how to ensure your smart glass retains its pristine state for as long as possible.

Why Smart Glass Maintenance Is Important

Smart glasses are one of the latest innovative trends in architectural design. Their inner workings are made up of special coatings, wiring and switchable layers. This built-in tech changes its appearance when some voltage is applied. As a result, they need to be handled carefully.

Failure to do this leads to reduced performance levels. The tech will fail prematurely, and since they’re expensive and need serious construction to be installed, will set you back a lot in terms of time and cash. When properly taken care of, smart glasses can last for many years.

Smart Glass Care Guide

Here are the activities that keep your smart glass in excellent condition for years.

1. Appropriate Periodic Cleaning

Some people are concerned about cleaning smart glasses too frequently because they believe this could damage them. So, how often should one carry out this important act?

For most environments, once every two to four weeks would suffice. In dusty or high-traffic spaces, weekly wipe-downs may be the way to go. If you’ve just had the tech installed, wait at least a week for the first cleaning exercise. This gives the coatings and sealings enough time to bond with the glass.

When cleaning, always use a gentle, non-abrasive, ammonia-free solution. Plain water, a mild soap-water solution, or any specialized cleaning solutions for smart glasses would do as well. Harsh chemical products like bleach and vinegar can cause irreparable damages to the product.

Tips to Clean Smart Glass Safely

1. Never spray the cleaning solution directly onto the glass. This often leads to complications.
2. Instead, sprinkle the cleaning solution onto a soft microfiber or lint-free cloth first.
3. When cleaning, wipe gently in a circular or horizontal motion.
4. Always power off the glass before cleaning.
5. When you’re done, dry the surface with another clean microfiber cloth to prevent the formation of water spots.

2. Avoid Direct Contact As Much As Possible

Poorly handling smart glasses quickly damages them. So, try as much as possible not to touch the surface with bare hands. Wear gloves when cleaning or during installation. This prevents fingerprints and smudges from staining the glass, making it last longer.

3. Avoid Scratching The Surface

Scratches are the most common way smart glasses get irreparably damaged. As such, do your utmost to avoid them. Don’t use abrasive or sharp objects anywhere close to the glass. If you need to remove stuck-on debris on its surface, use a plastic scraper instead of metallic ones.

4. Manage The Surroundings

Avoid knocking, slamming, or putting pressure on smart glasses and their panels. Keep furniture, signage and heavy objects away from them.

If installed in areas where direct contact with sunlight is unavoidable, reach out to the manufacturer for recommendations and strategies to minimize thermal stress.

5. Routine Inspection

Carry out annual or bi-annual assessments on the glass. Check out the wiring, transformers and frames for signs of wearing or damages. Examine the surface of the glass for cracks and scratches too.

If you observe any damages, get in a competent technician for troubleshooting and service recommendations. Do the same thing if the glass is malfunctioning or if clarity is dropping.

Smart Films: A Capable Alternative to Smart Glasses

In addition to being pricey, smart glass is a full replacement item. You need to take down your current glazing and replace it entirely if you want smart glasses. Smart films like Solar Screen’s E-Film give you the same privacy effect without tearing your building down.

All you need is to apply the film to your current glass and you’re good to go. You get full control over your privacy— at the push of a button, you can make your window clear or frosted whenever you want.

They are also far cheaper than smart glasses, do well to reduce solar heat gain, and the installation time is significantly shorter. However, know that smart film installations are not an easy DIY job. For the best results, contact industry professionals like Solar Screen.

Extend The Lifespan of Your Smart Glasses

To keep your smart glass in top condition for as long as possible, carry out careful, periodic cleaning. Also manage the environment around it and make routine inspections for cracks and scratches mandatory. This ensures that it stays clear, functional, and beautiful for many years.

However, if you don’t want to contend with the financial and structural costs of installing a smart glass, go for smart films. They are as effective, more affordable, and less difficult to install. To learn more about smart films and how they can elevate the status of your building, book a consultation with Solar Screen.