Office spaces have changed significantly over time and even more with recent developments. They went from closed-off offices to cubicles and open spaces. Studies have shown that bright, open spaces are conducive to productivity and creativity.
However, there are certain drawbacks to a completely open office. It can get quite noisy, and there is no privacy for a boardroom, meeting rooms, or break rooms, and in the post-pandemic age, safety has become even more of a focal point than before.
This is why many, if not most, corporate office spaces use partition walls to add structure and privacy while maintaining the airy and open concept. This blog will give you some helpful tips on how to choose the right partition walls for your workspace.
How to Choose the Right Partition Walls for Your Office?
Aesthetics
While functionality is vital, one of the primary concerns when choosing a partition wall is its visual appeal. A professional, clean office gives a good first impression on clients, so paying attention to how the partitions can improve the look of your office is essential. If your corporate office is open to visitors, these aesthetics also form part of your company’s branding.
There are many different options available, both materials and types. If you choose cubicles and their partition of deskspace, wood is a good option as it is durable and easy to maintain. There are two types of desk partitions, permanent and temporary. The former is attached directly to the work surface, while the latter is a movable partition that can be adjusted or removed. Some of these partitions are made of the same material, while others have glass partitions on top to allow for more natural light.
If you prefer a more spacious, open concept, aluminum and glass are good choices as they are more contemporary and prevent any obstructions of natural light in the case of glass.
Set a Budget
The budget is a significant factor as it will influence which options to pursue. One factor to consider is if you plan to stay in your office space long-term or envision a move in the near future. If you don’t intend to relocate, you can invest in higher-quality materials such as glass and wood because you won’t have to worry about moving them. On the other hand, if you have plans to move, easier-to-install, flexible solutions might be a better option.
Either way, evaluate the needs of your office when crunching the numbers, so you have a clear idea of what you need.
Keep Privacy and Noise Reduction in Mind
While an open office concept has a lot of advantages, you have to keep in mind that to ensure productivity, you will have to keep distractions down as well. So, every employee will need space to work with some privacy and proper noise reduction.
Consider Customizable Options
As mentioned above, office partitions have a significant impact on the aesthetics of your office. This is why some offices utilize customisable options such as folding wall panels to adapt sections to their needs.
Focus on the Ease of Maintenance
Maintenance is another crucial factor to keep in mind. While glass is more difficult to keep clean and is prone to breaking, it is easy to wipe clean and sterilize, which is an essential factor in the post-pandemic world. For example, this makes it an excellent option for an office kitchen or lunchroom.
For high-traffic areas, wood might be a good option due to its durability.
Preserve Your Natural Lighting
One of the main reasons companies choose open-concept office spaces is to allow for natural light. It keeps employees comfortable and avoids eye strain and headaches from the constant artificial light. So choosing partitions that obstruct the natural light would be counterproductive. Consider choosing materials that allow for natural light to flow. This also has the added benefit of making the area look more spacious.
Transportability is Always a Bonus
If you like to shake things up in your office and reconfigure the space, movable partitions are an excellent choice. Many options, such as portable partitions, modular panels, or accordion walls, can be moved and adjusted as needed, allowing you to keep a dynamic office setup.
Types of Partition Walls for the Office
If you are looking for partition walls for your workspace, three common materials are used.
Glass Partition
Glass partitions have become the most popular choice for offices and businesses due to their many advantages. Their most significant benefit is that they don’t obstruct natural light and allow for a bright and airy feel, giving any office a natural flow and the illusion of space.
It also has many health benefits, promoting health and well-being by boosting vitamin D levels, raising company morale, and making employees feel more comfortable.
Glass partitions have a clean, modern look that is easy to clean and sanitize and have excellent noise reduction capabilities.
It has many design options, frosted, and tinted, with your logo etched into the glass, making it a versatile choice to extend your branding.
Many are concerned about the safety aspect as glass is prone to breaking. Glass partitions can utilize laminated glass for added security and stability, and it also benefits fire safety. Many offices use fire-rated glass to help them comply with fire regulations. This type of glass offers protection from fire, smoke, and toxins, giving your employees valuable time to evacuate in the case of an emergency.
Wood Partition
Wood partitions are an option if you are trying to create a warmer atmosphere and ambiance. Wood has a traditional, elegant look that exudes warmth. It also comes in wide varieties with different styles, stains, and finishes.
Wood partitions can be easily customized to any size or shape and have outstanding noise-reduction properties. They give total privacy by concealing the contents of a room or area and can be an excellent choice for a board room that requires privacy and minimal noise.
They are also very durable, great for high-traffic areas, and even have some fire-resistant properties.
Aluminium Partition
Aluminum partitions are a more budget-friendly version to create separation in an office. While it has neither the aesthetic appeal of glass nor the warmth of wood, it is a practical choice that is an excellent option if you’re on a tight budget.
These partitions are sold as solid units but with different options, such as glass, that will allow natural light to pass through.
They also offer good noise reduction and fire safety, but one of their most significant advantages is their lightweight, which makes them easy and quick to install and move.
Similar to glass, they can also be used to extend your brand by etching your logo or using vinyl signage.
Contact Glass Ninja for Partition Walls
Glass Ninja is your choice for any glass project with custom glass and installations. Our expert team of project managers and installers is ready to help you with your next glass partition project, whether big or small, simple or complicated. We’re here for you.
Call us today at 1-833-344-5277 to find out how we can help you with any glass needs.
Frequently Asked Questions
Depending on your specific situation, essential factors include light permeability, noise reduction, aesthetic, fire safety and budget-friendliness.
Durability, light permeability, noise reduction, and aesthetic.
For rentable spaces, portable partitions are an excellent way to go as they are easier to install and move, making them more cost-efficient if you relocate your business.
It strongly depends on your needs. Factors to consider are natural light, durability, aesthetics, and budget. Many corporate offices choose glass because it allows the natural flow of light, the feeling of openness, and an airier atmosphere.
