Been looking into those windows that tint automatically, you know, the ones that adjust depending on sunlight. Narrowed it down to View and SageGlass, but can't really decide. Anyone have experience with either brand? Curious how they stack up in real life.
"Narrowed it down to View and SageGlass, but can't really decide."
Have you considered regular windows with smart film instead? Installed some myself last year—pretty straightforward DIY, cheaper overall, and they've held up surprisingly well. Might be worth a look before committing to pricier brands...
Might be worth a look before committing to pricier brands...
I get the appeal of smart film—it's a solid budget-friendly workaround—but honestly, if you're already considering View or SageGlass, I'd stick with actual smart windows. Installed SageGlass for a client last summer; pricey, yeah, but the seamless auto-tinting is slick and hard to replicate with DIY film...
I've worked with View on a couple of projects, and honestly, the smoothness of their auto-tinting is pretty impressive too. SageGlass might have a slight edge in responsiveness, but View's overall aesthetic is cleaner IMO. Smart films are handy for smaller spaces or retrofits, but if you're already budgeting for premium options, I'd say go with actual smart windows—you'll appreciate the difference down the road...
I've installed both View and SageGlass on different jobs, and here's my quick take:
- Agree with the previous comment—View does have a cleaner aesthetic. Their glass looks sleek, especially in modern builds.
- SageGlass is slightly quicker to respond to changing sunlight conditions. Noticeable difference? Maybe not huge, but it's there.
- Reliability-wise, haven't had major issues with either brand yet. Both seem solid enough for long-term use.
- One thing to consider: installation complexity. SageGlass wiring setup felt a bit more involved compared to View's system. Not a dealbreaker, just something to factor into your timeline and budget.
- Smart films are okay for retrofits or smaller projects, but if you're already committed financially, actual smart windows are worth it in terms of durability and overall performance.
Bottom line: Both brands deliver what they promise, but I'd lean slightly toward View for aesthetics and simpler install unless responsiveness is your top priority.
Interesting points here, especially about the aesthetics. I've been considering smart windows for a while now, and honestly, the look is a big deal for me. My house has a pretty modern vibe, so sleekness matters. But I'm curious—when you say SageGlass responds quicker, is it noticeable enough to justify the extra wiring hassle? I mean, if it's just a few seconds difference, I might not even notice it day-to-day.
Also, about the installation complexity... that's something I hadn't really thought about. I'm not exactly handy myself (my DIY skills peak at assembling IKEA furniture, and even that's questionable), so I'd probably have to hire someone. Did you find that installers charged significantly more for SageGlass because of the wiring complexity, or was it more just a time thing?
I did see some smart films at a friend's place recently, and while they're cool for privacy, they didn't seem to handle sunlight control as smoothly as I'd hoped. Plus, durability-wise, I'm skeptical they'd hold up long-term compared to actual smart windows. Glad to see your experience backs that up.
One thing I'm still wondering about is the software side of things. Did you find either brand's app or control system easier or more intuitive to use? I feel like that's something that could make or break the experience over time. Nothing worse than investing in smart tech only to end up frustrated every time you try to adjust settings...
Anyway, appreciate the insights—definitely gives me more to chew on before pulling the trigger.
I installed SageGlass at a client's place last year, and honestly, the wiring wasn't as big a headache as you'd think. The app though... took me a minute to figure out. Once set up, it's smooth sailing, but expect some initial head-scratching.
"The app though... took me a minute to figure out. Once set up, it's smooth sailing, but expect some initial head-scratching."
Glad you mentioned the app—reminds me of the time I installed smart blinds for my folks. Wiring was surprisingly straightforward there too, but man, the app gave me fits at first. Makes me wonder if View's software is any friendlier? I've heard mixed things about their interface, but nothing concrete. Curious if anyone's had hands-on experience with View's app compared to SageGlass?
I've installed both View and SageGlass windows for different projects, and honestly, neither app blew me away at first glance. SageGlass had me scratching my head for a good half-hour before things clicked—felt like it was designed by engineers who forgot regular people would use it, lol. Once you get past the initial confusion though, it's pretty reliable.
View's app felt slightly more intuitive upfront, but it wasn't exactly a walk in the park either. I remember one project where the client kept accidentally resetting their settings because the interface wasn't clear enough about saving changes. That said, once everyone got used to it, no major complaints came up.
If you're looking purely at ease of use, I'd give View a slight edge—but honestly, neither is going to win any UX awards anytime soon. Both companies seem more focused on hardware performance than software friendliness. Just be prepared for a bit of trial and error at first...and maybe keep some coffee handy.
Interesting take—I actually found SageGlass easier to pick up than View. Maybe it's because I'm used to fiddling with quirky smart home apps, but once I figured out SageGlass's logic, it felt pretty straightforward. View kept tripping me up with those hidden save buttons...