Office partitions: how to divide office space

Recommendation points

• Briefly about the specifics of use
• Varieties of frames and frames
• Filling options
• Partition fittings

Free planning is the optimal type of premises for organizing the work of a team of people in it. When choosing the right solution for dividing large spaces, it is difficult to combine maximum functionality, comfort and aesthetics. We will describe one of the best ways of office zoning in this article..

Briefly about the specifics of use

Office partition systems occupy a separate market segment and represent a complex construction solution that does not imply any special requirements for the project. This is, perhaps, the main advantage of glass and other frame office partitions – they can be equally well mounted in various types of premises. At the same time, the partitions are easy to dismantle and are arranged according to a modular system, which allows them to be reused and even freely change the configuration of the transferred walls..

And yet this technology has a rather limited scope, so it’s important to understand operational usability first. Practically in any office it is necessary to arrange office premises and they need to be fenced only with stationary or capital partitions according to one of the “dry repair” technologies. For example, this applies to printing and copying rooms: thin partitions have fairly low insulation from airborne noise. They are inevitably inferior in this parameter to capital walls, no matter how confidently sales managers claim the opposite.

For this reason, at first, the premises are localized by departments, walls are erected to separate them and arrange service rooms, and only then zoning by workplaces is performed. So if it is possible to combine thin partitions with capital ones, this solution will be optimal both in functional terms and in matters of saving on expensive special hardware: standard wooden doors and hardware for them cost 2-3 times cheaper than branded.

Varieties of frames and frames

The first part of the office partition system is a frame made of plastic, aluminum or stainless steel. It not only gives the structure the required strength, seals are also placed in the grooves of the profile to achieve a level of sound insulation comparable to the inherent parameters of the panels.

In shape and configuration, the profiles are similar to plastic windows, but instead of soldering, a mechanical connection is used with bolts and self-tapping screws. The installation technique is very similar to assembling the frame of partitions from gypsum board, only the elements are not connected directly, but through steel corners.

In contrast to the window, the profile of the partitions is complete-composite, it is formed from moldings of various shapes, interconnected by latches or self-tapping screws. The best performance is characterized by profiles with as few components as possible due to their simpler and more reliable design. At the same time, profiles of too primitive shape do not have a sufficiently dense baffle, which means that they poorly isolate from sound.

In practice, the following configuration is optimal:

1. Fastening shoulder strap of the main profile with mounting holes and grooves for attaching additional elements.
2. Corner strip – inner side casing with a spacer edge, the width of which determines the thickness of the core panel.
3. Flat overlay, it is also a glazing bead and a casing of the outer side of the partition.
4. There are four main types of uprights: Simple, Free Angle Kit, Right Angle Post, and T-Bar Post.

All-glass partitions have an even more modest set: universal point holders for the glass panel and side decorative strips, plus several straight and corner connectors. In turn, such partitions are distinguished by more complex and varied fittings, only doors can be pendulum, sliding and classic swing doors, with a door frame or transom..

Filling options

To fill the cells between the frames of the frame, almost any sheet materials can be used, the service life of which is comparable to that of the profile elements. The aforementioned overlays not only hide the technical details of the structure from view, but also serve as a fixation for the flat panel inside the cell. The profile is designed in such a way that when installing only flat linings between them and the fastening strap, a groove of a common format is formed, into which you can insert either a 16-mm chipboard sheet, or the same thickness of a plasterboard panel with a factory decorative finish. Thus, the partition can be double-sided and filled with sound-insulating material..

If the partition is sheathed on one side, the filler is often sheet or stained glass, or a glass unit. By selecting a corner strip with different shelf widths, you can vary the internal clearance depending on the thickness of the inserts. To install single glasses, rubber seals with different groove sizes are used, in which the glass is securely clamped after the outer profile elements snap into place. In all-glass and frame partitions with high safety requirements, tempered glass curtains with a thickness of 8-14 mm are installed in the same way.

The standard dimensions of sheet materials for filling vary greatly and this is provided for in the concept of frame partitions: the height and width of the sections are freely adjustable. However, the type of placeholder and its exact dimensions need to be known in advance in order to determine the number and placement of imposts..

Partition fittings

A wide range of auxiliary devices and mechanisms is provided for the installation of partitions. First of all, this applies to the doors of partitions, which are of the highest structural complexity..

Classic doors in frame partitions are installed in the opening and they differ little from PVC systems, but there are no vestibule mechanisms around the entire perimeter. The bases of locks for such doors are quite common, and the hinges are attached at an arbitrary height using steel screws..

Pendulum and sliding doors are more complex; special sets of fittings are used to install them. Fastening of its elements directly to the glass is carried out with adjustable point clamps, while prefabricated holes are used for insertion. Otherwise, the set of fittings for all-glass doors is as complete as for conventional doors: door closers, handles, locks and striking plates..

The system of blinds of frame partitions is worth a separate mention. Due to the presence of cavities inside the rack profile, it became possible to lay a part of the mechanism inside it. The main strip of the blinds is attached inside the window section to the side pillars, while the actuator is driven by a Bowden cable, and instead of a pivoting bar, a convenient handle is used, which is often located next to the lock handle in frame doors. Blinds are preferably used in partitions with double glazing. Inside the sealed chamber, they will not accumulate dust, at the same time, they will remain accessible for repair and are easy to operate..