Home Depot’s new smart glass doors switch between clear and frosted modes for privacy

Home Depot’s Hubspace smart home platform just got a major boost with new, affordable smart glass doors. Made by Feather River Doors, this fiberglass model allows you to switch between a clear or frosted window. It also includes a built-in bridge to connect your Bluetooth-enabled Hubspace Smart Lock to your Wi-Fi network.

Unlike Home Depot’s previous attempt at smart doors, this version starts at a more affordable $799. This is a sharp contrast to last year’s model – a $6,500 door fully equipped with a Ring video doorbell and a Yale smart lock.

The hallmark of smart glass doors is electrically opaque smart glass. This window can adjust its charge level to switch between a clear and frosted view. This way you can ensure privacy when you need it and transparency when you don’t.

Using this feature is as simple as pressing a button built into the door itself. Thanks to its intelligent functionality, you can also do it remotely using the Hubspace app or pair it with an Alexa or Google Assistant voice command or routine. For example, a Smart Glass Door may freeze if the video doorbell camera detects an approaching person and returns to a clear view when no movement is detected.

Inside view of Home Depot's smart glass doors

(Photo: Home Depot)

A replaceable battery powers all on-board electronics, and you also receive a spare battery with your purchase. If you don’t feel like placing the battery in the included dock, you can use the USB-C port on the hinge side of the door to charge it via cable, whether it’s open or closed. With standard use, the battery lasts approximately two months because the door is in the “frozen” state by default.

Feature River Doors exclusively offers a pre-hung fiberglass entryway option that will be available at Home Depot on September 30. It is supplied with a frame and sealing gaskets that replace the existing door. There are three sizes of mortise windows to choose from: full-lite, half-lite and 3/4-lite. Prices start at $798, with the full-lite version costing $998. Although there are pre-cut holes for the door handle and lock, you will need to bring your own or purchase one of the best smart locks.

The smart glass door joins Home Depot’s growing Hubspace smart home lineup, along with upcoming new outdoor fixed-mount string lights from Hampton Bays, a new Defiant DIY smart home security monitoring kit, and even a Vissani smart chest freezer that can be switched between cooling and freezing modes via the Hubspace app.