When it comes to optimising your office space, partitions can be a lower cost, flexible, and more efficient solution than installing expensive and permanent walls.
Perfect for busy offices that may serve multiple purposes, or for rented buildings where major structural changes may not be appropriate, there are a wide variety of partitions on the market. That means, no matter what you need from your space, there’s a partitioning solution for you!
Today, we’ll be exploring the different types of office partitions and the multiple benefits that make each style unique.
Movable office partition dividers
Movable office partitions are one of the most versatile and cost-effective styles of room divider. Designed for ultimate portability, these freestanding partitions can be moved about the office with ease to make the most of the available space.
Made from a variety of different materials to suit your interior design, there are many different types of movable office partitions to suit any office space or corporate building.
Folding office screens and partitions
Highly portable and featuring fully articulating hinges, these types of office partitions can be configured to fit any office layout, and represent one of the most flexible, cost-effective, and versatile options on the market.
Made from lightweight materials and mounted on wheels, folding office partitions can be moved about your space with ease, set up in moments to create a private office, computer space, or temporary meeting room, and then folded away and stored for future use. Featuring a narrow footprint when packed down, these convenient partitions don’t require much storage space, making them an excellent option for businesses with limited room.
Folding office partitions can range from large, accordion walls and office dividers, right down to smaller acoustic screens. They can be made from anything from noise-reflecting glass and polycarbonate, to sound-dampening acoustic fabric. There are even wicker partitions on the market which make a stylish visual barrier for modern offices, though these offer limited noise reduction qualities.
Due to their adaptable design and high portability, folding partitions are among some of the most popular partitioning solutions in the office environment.
Sliding office partitions
Offering the same portable design and narrow-packing footprint of folding screens, sliding screens feature a simple telescoping design, which means they can only be opened in a straight line.
This style of mobile partition is particularly suitable for cramped office layouts and corporate buildings who have very particular space requirements and limited ‘swing’ room. As sliding partitions don’t need to swing open like accordion walls, they can easily be slid next to a work desk or between two office spaces without the need to move any furniture.
Coming in as wide a range of materials as folding office screens, sliding screens can be used to create a personal space for staff to help control noise, increase comfort, and support productivity.
Please note, as sliding dividers feature an overlap between panels, you can expect to get a little less wall length per dollar spent. This also means that you’ll have less access to functional wall-space if using your partition as a pinboard or bulletin board.
Fixed office partitions
Typically offering enhanced sound reduction qualities at the expense of portability, fixed office partitions are an attractive and permanent alternative to the more portable styles of office partition.
Due to their fixed design, these partitions can be made from heavier materials, such as glass, wood, and even powder coated steel. Without the need for portability, they can also feature full height panels for true floor-to-ceiling coverage, enhanced privacy and sound-control, and an attractive visual barrier that’s perfect for the modern office.
However, it’s important to note that fixed office partitions, such as glass partitions, typically take longer to install and need to be set up by a professional builder. You can also expect these more permanent solutions to come at a higher price point, so it’s important to weigh your options before making a decision as you will be committing to a long-term layout with very little flexibility.
Glass office partitions
Glass partitions are a sleek and stylish alternative to solid partitions, allowing you to separate your space into private offices without appearing to close off an open layout. Clear, and typically offering floor-to-ceiling coverage, a glass office partition can divide up your office and reduce workplace noise, while allowing both natural and artificial lighting into the room, brightening up your space and enhancing the natural feel of your office design.
While a standard glass office partition offers minimal privacy due to its clear design, there are many frosted glass partitions on the market that offer enhanced comfort and privacy for staff.
While glass features some noise controlling qualities, if you need better acoustic performance than a standard glass partition can provide, double-glazed glass partitions represent an excellent solution. Double and triple-glazed glass partitions may also open up opportunities for installing integral blinds for more complete privacy.
Floor-to-ceiling office partition walls
Floor-to-ceiling partitions are the operable wall system that typically offers the greatest privacy, the best sound-controlling capabilities, and the most visually appealing design.
Coming in a range of materials, from fabric and solid wood panels, to polycarbonate and aluminium partitions, this style of office partitioning solution can be designed to suit a range of office spaces to create a comfortable and attractive working environment.
Not only do full height partitions usually cost more than lighter and more portable solutions, they can also take a lot longer to install, and usually require the services of a professional builder.
However, in exchange for higher costs and a longer build time, you can expect a solid partition that’s durable, reliable, and adds a touch of modern style to your office .
Demountable office partitions
If you’re working from a rented space, fixed office partitions may not be a viable option.
However, most landlords allow tenants to attach things to the walls of their rented building. This makes demountable office partitions an excellent compromise between installing permanent, floor-to-ceiling partitions, and purchasing a shorter, freestanding screen.
As the name suggests, demountable office partitions are designed to mount right onto the wall with just a few screws and brackets.
Typically lighter in weight than other options, and mounted on wheels, these sliding walls are designed to be pulled into position with ease, and then pushed back up against the wall when not in use. This makes operation easy for just a single team member, without the need for any heavy lifting.
This clever, rolling function offers some of the flexibility of the fully portable partitions, while the wall-mounted design allows for a taller partition without the risk of toppling. That means it offers greater sound performance and privacy.
This clever, rolling function offers some of the flexibility of the fully portable partitions, while the wall-mounted design allows for a taller partition without the risk of toppling. That means it offers greater sound performance and privacy.
Easy to install and simple to remove, demountable office partitions can be detached from the wall at any time, re-installed elsewhere, or moved to a new premises when relocating to new offices.
Ceiling partitions
Offering greater flexibility than fixed partitions, plus the benefits of floor-to-ceiling coverage and a flush wall finish, ceiling partitions are a stylish and functional partitioning solution that can be used to reduce the noise passing between rooms.
Designed to hang directly from the roof, these partitions can be made from a wide variety of materials, including sound-dampening fabric, solid wood, or even aluminium, and offer superior privacy and sound-performance.
The only major drawback of this style of partition is the cost. Typically requiring a supporting beam and ceiling runners, ceiling-mounted partitions need to be installed by a professional builder and usually cost tens of thousands of dollars, both for the partition itself and the installation process. The major construction work also means that you can expect a much longer build time.
Office cubicles
A different style of office partition, the office cubicle is designed to offer a private space for individual employees to focus on their own work.
Many offices feature a network of office cubicles for their staff. This can help to enhance privacy, reduce office distractions and, in the case of fabric partitions, offer sound-dampening properties that minimise reverberation in larger spaces.
Once set up, fixed office cubicles are quite heavy and don’t offer much room for customisation. A convenient and flexible alternative to the fixed cubicle network is the modular office cubicle.
A different style of office partition, the office cubicle is designed to offer a private space for individual employees to focus on their own work.
Many offices feature a network of office cubicles for their staff. This can help to enhance privacy, reduce office distractions and, in the case of fabric partitions, offer sound-dampening properties that minimise reverberation in larger spaces.
Featuring a clever pillar-and-post system that allows for fast setup and configuration, modular office cubicles offer the functionality of a regular cubicle, plus the freedom to reconfigure and customise your space at any time.
Pillar-and-post cubicles are an excellent option for businesses who have a fluctuating staff count, changing space requirements, or are working out of a rented space and plan to move in the future.
Let us help you find the right partitioning solution for you
There are many different types of office partitions on the market to suit your needs. But which one is right for you will depend on what you need from your office space. If you need help deciding upon a solution, our friendly team of customer service staff are always here to help. Simply give us a call or send us an email and we’ll be there to help you customise your office space to perfection.