Every week a client asks us for “that glass that turns private.” Half of them actually need it — the other half need a 200-riyal frosted film that does the same job. Here is how to tell which side you are on.
The difference in one sentence
Frosted film is permanent privacy — always blurred, always on. PDLC smart film is privacy on demand — clear until you press a button, frosted when you do. Everything else flows from that.
Side-by-side on the points that matter
- Privacy: frosted is always-on; PDLC is switchable between clear and private.
- Light: frosted passes ~80% of daylight; PDLC passes ~76% when clear.
- Retrofit: frosted installs on existing glass in a day. PDLC also retrofits, but needs concealed wiring and a power source per pane.
- Cost in Riyadh: frosted starts around 45 SAR/m² installed; PDLC starts around 450 SAR/m² plus controls.
When frosted wins, when smart wins
Meeting rooms used all day → frosted. Nobody wants to think about a switch. Clinic examination partitions → PDLC: open-space feel, instant privacy when needed. Storefront glass → frosted or printed decorative film — cheaper and doubles as branding. Executive offices facing staff areas → PDLC. The prestige factor is real.
What we actually install most
Honestly? Frosted wins most of the time. It solves the privacy problem permanently for a fraction of the budget, and decorative cut-outs can carry your logo or pattern. We recommend PDLC where the switch itself has value — clinics, boardrooms facing open floors, VIP areas.
Send us a photo of your space and we will tell you exactly which film to spec — free site visit anywhere in Riyadh.
Not sure which film fits your glass?
Send us a photo of the space — we'll tell you exactly what to spec. Free site visit in Riyadh.
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