A glass partition can enhance any office environment. Get the lowdown on the kinds of glass you can use.
In today's business world, one thing is certain: people take more notice of your walls than you might think.
Of course, not every visitor is striding up to the walls and perusing them at length. But their first impression of your business will depend, at least in part, on the quality of your walls.
Think of it this way. If you visit a potential customer, supplier or partner and they're working in an office with peeling walls, they'll need to work that bit harder to convince you of their worth.
If, by contrast, you go into an office that's divided by glass partitions, you'll likely come away thinking that they're a modern, forward-thinking firm.
Glass partitions are a great addition to any office environment. Like a black T-shirt, they look good with everything. They let in natural light, making the room seem more spacious and even improving productivity. Furthermore, many examples can be moved with ease, giving you an unprecedented level of control and flexibility over your office design.
But what kind of glass should you choose? It's not necessarily an easy question to answer. The glass market is heaving with products. We hope this article helps you choose the right one for your partitions.
1. Toughened and laminated glass
If you're getting partitions installed, you need to know they're robust. Structural weaknesses are a no-no. It's not just that you don't want to pay for a repair or replacement – it's also that the safety of your staff and visitors is at stake.
Toughened glass and laminated glass are two strong options – in both senses of the word. They're both categorised as safety glass, meaning they resist impacts more effectively than standard annealed glass.
In the case of toughened glass, this is because it shatters into lots of harmless pieces rather than jagged shards. In the case of laminated, it's because it takes a huge amount of force to break – and when it finally gives way, it maintains structural stability.
But toughened and laminated glass aren't just as tough as old boots. They're also easy to customise and decorate. Let's take a look…
2. Decorative glass
Glass doesn't have to be purely functional. It can be decorated in all manner of ways to fit your business's aesthetic.
The possibilities are nearly endless, but here are some options you can explore:
Screen printing and digital printing
These methods fire the glass with ceramic inks that last as long as the glass itself. You could order a partition emblazoned with your logo, company name or other visuals.
Here at ToughGlaze, our
digitally printed sheets of toughened glass are of photorealistic quality, helping you achieve that sleek, futuristic look.
Sandblasting, frosting and tinting
If you want a partition that offers privacy without blocking the view entirely, these are tasteful options to explore.
Then there's
coloured glass – but more of that later. How about glass that can be both transparent
and opaque?
3. Switchable smart glass
Open-plan offices are now so widely accepted that a return to cubicles and sternly shut doors seems about as appealing as an origami desk. But despite the sense of space and hospitality that these types of offices create, there's a problem. What if you want some privacy?
The need for privacy is an unavoidable part of office life. Confidential matters need to be discussed at all levels of any organisation. But glass houses don't lead to frank conversations.
Switchable smart glass is a solution to this problem. Its advanced technology lets you switch a pane of glass on and off. Ours turns from clear to opaque in under a second.
This gives you privacy on demand. Like all our glass products, it's easy to maintain and easy on the eye.
4. Acoustic glass
In the bad old days, glass didn't just let in a draught. It also let in sound. When it comes to soundproofing, single glazing is about as much use as a window made of muslin cloth.
Acoustic glass, by contrast, is a variety of toughened glass that seriously muffles the sounds of your office. This can help improve focus in meetings and brainstorming sessions – not to mention blocking out the unwanted chatter of your workmates.
5. Security glass
In some situations, you need more than safety – you need security.
Of course, in everyday English, the difference is slim. But in the world of glass, it's the difference between a material that can withstand bumps and jolts (safety glass) and a material that can withstand bandits, bullets and bombs (security glass).
To qualify, security glass has to be rigorously tested. It means your partition will withstand brute force. This can be vital in banks, museums, police stations and other buildings where security is a priority.
6. Coloured glass
Do you want a partition that fits your company's branding and style guidelines? Coloured glass could be just the ticket.
At ToughGlaze, we offer
laminated glass with coloured interlayers. Pretty much any hue under the sun can be selected from Vanceva's extensive colour palette.
Coloured glass can be a great way to enhance the personality of your premises, be it bold, bashful or something in between.
Final thoughts
It's never been a better time to buy glass partitions. There are two key reasons why. First, glass has never been more robust or easier to maintain. Secondly, because the opportunities for customisation are so extensive.
Gone are the days when you had to choose between beauty and utility. Today's glass partitions can be works of art that serve a purpose – whether it's to provide extra soundproofing or extra security.
At ToughGlaze, we cut, fire and treat toughened and laminated glass at our state-of-the-art facilities. Whatever your requirements, we can meet them with speed, efficiency and flexibility.
So, if you're in the market for high-quality
glass for partitions, don't hesitate to
contact ToughGlaze for a quick, competitive quote.
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