Installed View windows for a client about two years ago, and while they're pretty impressive tech-wise, I did notice the tinting response wasn't as quick as what you're describing with SageGlass. Haven't done a side-by-side comparison myself, but your experience makes me curious.
"Haven't personally tracked energy savings closely, but they did mention fewer AC cycles last summer."
This matches up with what my client mentioned too—they felt the indoor temps stayed more consistent without the AC kicking in constantly. The upfront cost is definitely steep, but if comfort and convenience are high on your priority list, it might balance out in the long run. One thing I'd suggest is checking out warranty details and customer support feedback for both brands; sometimes that tips the scale when performance seems similar.
I get the appeal of smart windows, but honestly, after looking into both View and SageGlass, I ended up going a different route. We installed high-quality traditional windows with automated shades instead. Saved a good chunk upfront, and the shades respond instantly—no waiting for tinting to kick in. Sure, it's not as sleek tech-wise, but comfort-wise it's been great. Just throwing it out there as another option if you're still weighing things...
I installed SageGlass for a client a couple years back—cool tech, but gotta admit, the tint response lag was noticeable on really sunny days. Automated shades might be less flashy, but they're reliable and simpler to troubleshoot... probably would've saved me some headaches.
"Automated shades might be less flashy, but they're reliable and simpler to troubleshoot..."
You're spot on about reliability—can't beat something simple that just works. But don't give up yet, the tech's improving fast. Next-gen smart glass might just iron out those lag issues... fingers crossed!
Reliability's definitely key, but I've seen SageGlass in action at a friend's office, and it's pretty impressive. No noticeable lag, and the tint transitions were smooth. Still pricey for home use though... maybe give it another year or two?
"Still pricey for home use though... maybe give it another year or two?"
Fair point, but honestly, I'm not convinced waiting a couple years will make a huge difference price-wise. Smart windows like SageGlass and View have been around long enough now, and the tech isn't exactly brand new anymore. Prices have dropped some, sure, but they're still premium products aimed mostly at commercial spaces.
Also, keep in mind that smooth transitions and no noticeable lag are great initially, but long-term reliability is a different story. I've seen a few installations where after a year or two, tinting uniformity started to degrade slightly—nothing major, but noticeable if you're picky about aesthetics. And repairs or replacements can be costly since it's specialized tech.
If budget's a concern, you might consider high-quality traditional windows paired with motorized smart shades instead. Easier to maintain, cheaper to fix if something goes wrong, and still gives you solid control over lighting and privacy.
Just my two cents from experience...
Good points, but honestly I've seen prices drop quite a bit on similar tech once competitors start ramping up production. Remember when LED bulbs first came out? Crazy expensive at first, but within a few years they were everywhere and way cheaper. Might be worth holding off a bit longer... or at least waiting until more residential-focused brands jump into the market. Just my experience though—your mileage may vary.
Yeah, I think you're onto something there. When I bought my first place, I jumped on a bunch of smart home stuff early, and honestly, half of it got way cheaper within a year or two. Plus, early versions usually have bugs or compatibility issues... learned that the hard way. Waiting a bit might save you some headaches and cash.
Totally agree, jumping too early is risky. Reminds me of when I got sucked into buying those fancy smart blinds a few years back. Cool at first...until the app randomly stopped working and I was stuck halfway between privacy and sunlight for days. Lesson learned.
Yeah, I hear you on the smart blinds fiasco...been there myself with some "smart" outdoor lights that decided to randomly flicker at 2 AM. Not fun. But I'm still intrigued by smart windows—especially since they seem a bit more integrated and less prone to mechanical issues than blinds. Has anyone here actually tried View or SageGlass yet?
I've read a bit about both, and it seems like SageGlass has been around longer, so maybe they've ironed out some of the early kinks? But then again, View seems to have a sleeker interface and more intuitive controls from what I've seen online. I'm curious if the app reliability has improved significantly over the past few years. Is it still glitchy, or have they finally figured out how to make these things stable?
Also, does anyone know how these windows handle power outages or internet downtime? I'd hate to be stuck in permanent shade mode during a blackout or something. And what about maintenance—do they require regular updates or servicing?
I guess my main hesitation is similar to yours: jumping in too soon and ending up with another expensive headache. But at the same time, the idea of windows automatically adjusting to sunlight and temperature sounds pretty appealing, especially for energy savings.
Maybe it's worth waiting another year or two until the tech matures a bit more? Or do you think they're already reliable enough to give it a shot now?