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5 New Window Technologies That Are Hard to Believe Are Real

Aug 6, 2025

8 min read

860

1. Glass Window Technologies – From Clear to Opaque

2. Window Glass Technology That Adjusts According to Temperature Changes

3. Power Windows

4. A Bird-Friendly Window Technology

5. New Innovative Windows, Styles, Energy-Efficient Features and More

Today’s buzz word is “Smart.”

It seems that “smart technology” is built into just about every product today – from televisions to cars to home appliances. While these convenient features are becoming commonplace for many products, here are 5 emerging window technologies that seem more like they came from the Syfy channel than real life.

While many of these features are still in the development stage or need fine-tuning, it’s exciting to see high tech windows for the new residential construction and home improvement industries.

1. Glass Window Technologies – From Clear to Opaque

Windows that change from clear to opaque with the touch of a button are being developed for residential use to help reduce cooling costs during summer months and for privacy year-round.

Electrochromic technology currently allows windows to tint on demand and have been used in airplane windows for several years. Present models take up to seven minutes to transition and don’t get dark enough for wide-spread residential use.

Photo courtesy of ScienceDirect

Stanford University researchers are working on an improved version. Their prototype changes from clear to dark within three minutes. The new research involves using a combination of electrolyte gel and a transparent conductor in the glass. When an electrical voltage is applied, the glass changes from clear to opaque.

A negative charge causes ions to form a solid metal and the glass to darken.
A positive charge makes the metal dissolve and revert back to clear glass.

The electrical voltage is only required to change the window’s opacity. Once it is unplugged, the window will remain in the same state until electricity is reapplied.

With current samples smaller than 10 square inches in size, more research and testing is required to scale it up for residential or commercial use to fully replace current privacy glass options.

2. Window Glass Technology That Adjusts According to Temperature Changes

Another company is working on a transitioning technology of its own. This window technology works without electricity and intuitively transitions from clear to dark with a glass temperature change.

Photo courtesy of RavenWindow

A thermochromic filter applied inside a double pane window combined with a Low-E coating work together to provide energy efficiency year round. Warm temperatures activate the filter tinting transition to block the heat from the sun, reduce glare and UV damage, and maximize cooling efficiency. Cooler temperatures don’t affect the filter so the window remains clear for enhanced solar gain.

As no wires or electricity is required, these technology windows are operational upon installation in new construction or retrofitting for existing windows.

3. Power Windows

Photo courtesy of Richard Lunt, Michigan State University

Capturing solar energy is a familiar concept. We’ve seen photovoltaic cell panels on roofs and fields of arrays that collect sunlight and convert it to electricity. Of course, solar panels in place of windows would make for a very dark house.

Luckily, researchers at Michigan State University have found a solution with a transparent luminescent solar concentrator. Unlike past coloured prototypes, this new technology creates solar energy while keeping the window clear.

Small organic molecules absorb ultraviolet and near-infrared wavelengths. A glowing infrared light is guided to thin strips of photovoltaic solar cells and converted to electricity without affecting window transparency.

Although still in the early development stage and only producing a solar conversion of one-percent, potential applications include use in high-rise buildings, residential new construction and replacement window tech, smartphones, and even cars to generate electricity without compromising aesthetics.

Another method for collecting energy from the sun and other light sources is with the application of a special electricity-generating spray coating to glass and plastic surfaces. This technology uses hydrogen-carbon based substances to create an organic photovoltaic (OPV) solar array. The tiny solar cells are interconnected to generate sustainable electricity without compromising transparency.

This patent-pending technology will be developed as window glass for new and replacement residential windows as well as a flexible film that can be applied similar to aftermarket tints for commercial retrofitting.

4. A Bird-Friendly Window Technology

This windows new technology is probably something you’ve never spent much time thinking about but really makes sense when you do – bird-friendly windows.

To save millions of birds from injury or death from flying into glass windows, a new, patterned coating is available that is visible to birds but not humans. The concept uses birds’ ability to see light in the ultraviolet spectrum to create a “barrier” that is not currently present with standard reflective glass.

The coating has been tested and approved by the American Bird Conservancy and is currently available as laminated glass or insulated units combined with Low-E coatings for a bird-friendly, energy-efficient window.

5. Cleaning Outside Windows From Inside

With busy schedules and the trend toward making housekeeping easier, manufacturers are producing everything from self-cleaning ovens to automatic shower scrubbers to autonomous robotic vacuum cleaners. It’s only natural that the labour-intensive process of washing windows is the next smart windows technologies being offered.

Robotic window cleaners have been introduced into the main-stream market as a time-saving option, especially for hard-to-reach areas. Using motor-powered suction, these automated machines clean from edge to edge, inside and out.

Styles and features vary dependent on your particular needs. You’ll want to consider things like how much window surface you have and want to clean at one time, how much battery life you need, type of connectivity, cleaning process, and if you want complete automation or a remote control option.

Battery – a short battery life is the norm which means between 15 and 30 minutes. This will be sufficient to clean approximately 10 windows on a single charge. More windows will require a longer battery life which will cost extra.
Connectivity – motor-powered suction and magnetic connectivity are the two methods offered to attach the robot window cleaner to the glass. The magnetic style generally requires a second magnet to be placed on the opposite side of the window. In difficult to reach locations, this may not be feasible. The motor-powered suction is a one-step process but will require a safety cord in case it comes loose.
Process – pads and brushes are used to clean and a squeegee is used to clear the cleaning fluid for a streak-free finish. Cleaning fluid may need to be added as well. Some units require a two-step cleaning process to wipe and polish the window after the fluid is applied.
Automated or Remote Control – robotic cleaning units will operate with or without user involvement. Automated allows you to put the unit on the window and let it completely do the work. Units with a remote control requires you direct the unit across the window. Some models include both features.

5. New Innovative Windows, Styles, Energy-Efficient Features and More

While some of the futuristic window technology trends above are still in development or face an uncertain path to the residential market, many innovative window solutions are already available for Canadian homeowners today.

For maximum performance, consider modern tilt-and-turn windows, crank-style designs, or custom-shaped windows, all of which are equipped with cutting-edge energy-efficient features that make a significant difference.

Here’s what today’s homeowners are choosing in regards to innovation windows:

Triple-pane glass for unbeatable insulation and noise reduction.
Low-E coatings to reflect heat and block harmful UV rays.
Warm-edge spacers and argon gas fills to reduce heat transfer.
Durable, airtight vinyl window frames that prevent drafts and moisture issues.

These proven upgrades help lower your heating and cooling costs, maintain stable indoor temperatures year-round, and make your home feel more comfortable, all while enhancing its long-term value.