Can an office have the free-flowing light of an open floor plan while still providing sound barriers and private workspaces? Absolutely. Interior designers turn to commercial glass partitions to create functional meeting rooms and offices without putting up solid walls. Moveable partitions are also available to create flexible spaces that can be changed to accommodate different events or staffing needs. Here are five types of commercial partitions and when to use them.

Floor-to-ceiling Glass Panes

Glass partitions in commercial buildings are often used to create offices and meeting rooms. Floor-to-ceiling glass panes serve as walls that can be framed with steel, aluminum, or wood to match the company’s décor. These glass panes replace traditional solid walls and are typically made of tempered glass or toughened glass that is strong enough to withstand the daily wear and tear of office life. Full glass panes are available in different options:

• Clear glass
• Tinted glass
• Etched glass
• Painted glass
• High-gloss enameled glass
• Laminated acoustic glass (for soundproofing)
• Fire-rated or ceramic glass

Freestanding

What about partitions that don’t extend all the way to the ceiling? Freestanding glass partitions are shorter than 10 feet and typically anchored to the ground with no framing along the top. They can be etched with a corporate logo or painted with brand colors to create a decorative entry barrier. They can also be used to create small breakout rooms or “fishbowl” style circular rooms within a large open space.

High Wall or Atrium Glass

Atrium-style commercial entrances can extend up to 30-feet high, and glass partitions are available to add visual interest to atrium stairwells and reception areas. High-wall or atrium partition systems use framing systems that stack panes of glass two- to three-stories high. These can be double glazed and tempered or toughened to help improve acoustics and energy efficiency.

Movable Partitions 

With many companies adopting a hybrid working model, offices may need to shrink or grow depending on the number of people in the office. Movable partitions operate like doors that can slide open or closed to create a larger or smaller meeting space. Restaurants also use moveable partitions to close off areas for private parties or to create a smaller dining area during off-peak hours. Movable glass partitions can be manual or electric, and the most common styles are accordion partitions and sliding barn doors.

LCD Privacy Glass

An open office still needs private spaces. Painted and etched glass provide privacy, but there’s also a higher tech solution. With LCD privacy glass, opacity can be turned on and off with the flip of a switch. These glass systems are built with Polymer Dispersed Liquid Crystal (PDLC) technology that uses an electric current to turn a pane of glass from clear to opaque. There is a small energy expense with these systems, but it adds a touch of high-tech fun to conference and huddle rooms.

Commercial glass partitions create flexible spaces that change to meet a business’s needs. Our team helps commercial property owners install all types of partition systems, and we can help make sure your system operates safely for years to come. Give us a call to talk through your partition design and schedule a consultation!