PDLC privacy film cost: what drives a quote
“How much does privacy film cost per square metre?” is the most common question, and the worst answered. A catalogue price for film alone says nothing about the cost of a pane installed and wired. Here is how a quote is actually built.
Why the price of the film alone cannot estimate your project
Some websites list a price per square metre for the adhesive film alone, sometimes several hundred euros. That figure covers a roll or a delivered cut, with no power supply, no control, no installation and no wiring. It does not allow you to estimate a project.
An installed privacy film quote adds up six distinct items, several of which do not depend on surface area. For the same area, two projects can therefore reach very different budgets depending on access, cable routing and control method.
The six items of a quote
Here is what a proposal always includes, in the order we establish it:
- The film itself, cut to the exact size of each pane — the only item truly proportional to surface area
- The power supply: a dedicated controller adapting voltage to the film, sized to the total area to control
- The control: wall switch, remote or connected module; each option has a different cost and installation constraints
- Installation: glass preparation, application, edge finishing and special cuts
- Electrical wiring: cable routing, connection to 230 V mains, often through a ceiling void or partition profile
- Travel and site organisation: distance, access, work outside business hours, number of visits
What pushes the budget up
Complex cuts — non-rectangular shapes, working around handles or hinges — increase installation time and wastage. Hard-to-reach glazing, at height or in a tight space, does too.
Wiring can represent a significant share of the budget: running a line through an already finished partition takes time and may involve making good. Several panes controlled separately multiply switches and connections.
What brings it down
Rectangular panes, accessible at floor level, close to an existing power supply, controlled together by a single switch: this is the most economical set-up. A project during fit-out, before partitions are closed, sharply reduces the wiring item.
Grouping several panes into one visit lowers the unit cost of travel and organisation.
How to get a reliable estimate
Three pieces of information are enough for a first estimate: the number of panes with approximate dimensions, a photo of each pane in its surroundings, and the desired control. The on-site survey then specifies the wiring and confirms glass compatibility.
The budget for installed glazing depends on the glass itself, the wiring and the options chosen: an estimate therefore requires some information about your configuration. Example quotes will be published from the first documented projects, with the clients’ agreement.
Frequently asked questions
Should I choose film or smart glass?
Film is applied to existing glazing and therefore avoids replacing it. Laminated smart glass is more relevant in new construction, or when the glazing has to be replaced anyway. The choice depends on your situation, not on a general rule.
Can I get a quote without a visit?
An indicative first estimate can be produced from photos, approximate dimensions and the location. A final quote requires removing the uncertainty about glass compatibility and wiring, which generally calls for an on-site look.