Adaptable wall installations such as movable walls, sliding partitions, and glass walls are hugely popular in modern offices, educational establishments like schools or universities, and commercial premises such as exhibition centres.
These useful systems enable room flexibility, meaning spaces can be efficiently transformed to cater to a specific requirement. Plus, room dividers also allow for sound absorption and help to elevate interior design – so are the perfect mix of style and substance.
But, with so many types to select from, how do you decide which is right for you? Let’s take a look.
Flexible wall types
There are three types of higher-specification adaptable partitions, including movable walls, sliding-folding partitions, or glass walls:
Movable walls
Movable walls, sometimes called movable partition walls or operable walls, are multipanelled systems designed to divide spaces or open them up depending on the needs of the day. Each panel moves independently along a ceiling track and can be dynamically stacked in numerous arrangements when open.
Sliding-folding partitions
Sliding folding partitions, or walls, are dividers that consist of several connected hinged panels that slide and fold to form multiple rooms or an open plan area as and when your orientation needs change.
Glass walls
Glass walls are high-specification systems that boast everything movable walls have to offer with the added luxury of a glass finish.
Typically, glass partitions operate on a heavy‐duty ceiling tracking system to reduce the need for unsightly floor tracks.
How to choose the right flexible partition for your environment
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Consider the needs of your space
Firstly, think about what your working, learning, or business environment must have to function well.
Privacy requirements
All divider systems can temporarily split large rooms, but some offer more privacy than others when closed.
Movable walls and sliding partitions feature solid panels that offer complete privacy when extended, perfect for highly private or confidential meeting spaces.
On the other hand, transparent glass walls can separate spaces without completely disconnecting them. Even when extended, they can be seen through, creating a feeling of togetherness and collaborative working while also maintaining privacy for less sensitive locations.
Acoustic requirements
Space dividers provide different sound insulation ratings – the higher the decibel (dB) rating, the less sound can penetrate.
This is made possible by using retractable seals that exert pressure to prevent sound waves from passing through.
Glass and movable walls can offer a sound reduction of up to 59 dB, which is perfect for noisy environments like schools.
Sliding folding partitions, on the other hand, deliver dB ratings of up to 49, which is proven to be effective at reducing noise transfer throughout most spaces.
Structural limitations
Some wall systems may not be suitable for the interior dimensions, structural integrity, or layout of your property. These factors may impact the operation mechanism you can opt for, too.
For example, your ceiling may not have the capability of bearing the load, meaning you’ll require a manually operated floor-supported solution where the load is carried by the floor track.
But don’t worry if you’re unsure about the structural limitations of your space – one of our experts will come out to you and assess your property, including the wall opening where you want to install your new flexible wall system. From here, they can explain your options and advise you on what’s best for your needs.
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Ease of operation
If the sturdiness of your ceiling isn’t a concern, you can choose between automated, semi-automated, and manual control, although not all flexible wall types offer these.
- Fully automated electrical systems carry the entire opening or closing of the wall – there’s no need for manual input.
- Semi-automated panels are manually pushed or pulled but also feature electric retractable seals that lock into position.
- Manual operation means the movement of the panels is solely conducted by hand, with no automation.
Movable walls offer the greatest choice in operation systems – from manual to fully automated control. In comparison, glass and sliding partitions can only be manually or semi-automatically controlled, so will always need some degree of human intervention to change the layout of your room.
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Aesthetics and interior design
Movable walls combine effortless functionality with design – the perfect combination for a modern office, school, or commercial space.
If you desire a sleek finish, movable walls and sliding dividers come in many designs, including clean white, grey, and authentic woods, like oak, beech, and maple – perfect if you want to bring a natural feel into your space.
But, if you’re looking for something even more contemporary, you could opt for a super-stylish glass wall. Glass is a favoured option as it looks excellent and permits natural light to flow through, brightening your space and also reducing the need for harsh artificial lighting.
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Budget
Finally, you need to consider how much you can afford to spend on your new adaptable wall
As is to be expected, the higher-specification flexible wall systems, such as automated movable walls and glass walls, are typically the most expensive. Additionally, the higher the acoustic capability, the more you can expect to pay. But, you certainly get what you pay for in terms of a flawless operational and acoustic performance.
Manually operated sliding folding walls, on the other hand, are the most affordable and are very capable of transforming your static space into a collaborative and aesthetically pleasing environment with startling efficiency.
Need a bespoke recommendation for a movable wall system?
Making the most out of your space has never been easier than with flexible wall systems from us. Our expert engineers will guide you through the process from start to finish, helping you to select the right fit.
Not only do we provide state-of-the-art adaptable walls, but we also have a dedicated service and maintenance division called AEG Maintenance – which offers some of the most cost-effective service and maintenance packages around to help protect your investment.
To find out more about AVANT movable walls or maintenance services, call us on 0151 318 3356 or contact us online and we’ll get back to you as soon as we can.