Glass has several properties which make it highly valued as a material for interior design. Low cost, completely transparent and strong enough to form a firm barrier, glass is perfect when you want to close off an area without shutting out light and restricting lines of sight.

Consider windows. Glass is used in 99.9 per cent of windows because it lets light in, it allows us to see out, it forms a barrier to shut us in from the elements, and it does not break the bank either. A perfect match of material to purpose.

The same applies to glass partitions. Glass partitions are basically internal glass walls used to define, close off and demarcate spaces. They are used when you want to differentiate between different areas without shutting in areas in completely.

Uses of Glass Partition Walls

Glazed partitions are a common feature of interior design for offices, commercial premises and public buildings. They are commonly used to:

  • Create distinct but open work areas or ‘pods’ to give a sense of definition and differentiation to spaces without affecting the ‘open plan’ feel of an office.
  • Enclose separate areas completely without restricting light and lines of sight.
  • Form parts of door and entrance ways.
  • Create a special design feature in an office.

Benefits of Glass

Interior glass walls have the following advantages which make them such a popular choice amongst commercial interior designers:

  • Light: Closing off distinct areas with solid materials can quickly make parts of an office gloomy and uninviting. Glass wall partitions allow natural light to flow freely throughout the premises, reducing on lighting bills and helping to boost staff morale.
  • Sight: One of the key reasons open plan offices became popular was that company bosses started to believe that staff would feel more part of a team, and work more productively as a result, if everyone could see one another. Glass achieves the same effect while still offering everyone their own space, and because lines of sight are open, the work environment feels more roomy and less imposing.
  • Sound insulation: One of the drawbacks of the open plan office model is noise – with everyone sharing the same open space, volume can be a problem, and some people just cannot work effectively with the distraction. Glass solves that problem by allowing enclosed, quiet spaces to be created without boxing people in completely.
  • Flexibility: Because glass office partitions are made in a modular fashion out of single glass panels, it is very easy to create different shaped spaces and configure the partitions in different ways.
  • Cost: Glass is a readily available and cost effective material. It is also very easy to install and take down, saving considerably on building costs, especially when it comes to redesigning a space.