Glass walls, aka partitions, dividers, or simply panels, have found a permanent home in office and home interiors.
Unlike solid walls made of concrete, plasterboard, and wood, they consume up to 10% less space, do not block the flow of light, and are more flexible in terms of installation and dismantling.
They also come in different styles and shapes and may use different types of glass panels to meet your design objectives — from transparent to tinted, and decorated with patterns, textures, and ornaments.
Speaking of glass, it can have various physical properties, too.
Depending on the safety requirements, you can opt for tempered or laminated glass. The former breaks into dull chunks and withstands high temperatures and chemicals, while the latter offers UV protection and enhanced durability thanks to its multi-layered nature and the use of polyvinyl butyral (PVB).
Similarly, you can choose dividers with sound-reduction properties, walls that go from transparent to opaque under direct light or with a flick of a switch, or panels that blur images while still letting the light in.
For today’s article, we’ve chosen one specific topic: debunking the myths about the limited durability of frameless glass partitions.
What Are Frameless Glass Walls, and How Do They Compare to Framed Solutions?
Frameless dividers are glass walls that use little to no framing. Well done, Captain Obvious!
Jokes aside, that’s how we could describe such dividers in one sentence.
When shopping for glass partitions, customers normally go for framed solutions.
Strengthened with aluminum, steel, or wooden components, such dividers are perceived to be safer and more durable, which is partially true.
However, there’s a fly (in fact, several flies!) in the ointment:
- Besides interrupting the visual flow of certain interior design styles, framed panels can sometimes make rooms feel smaller. This contradicts the very objective of swapping solid walls for their glass alternative.
- Framed panels, especially those with thick and more prominent wooden or metal components, can be an obstruction to natural light. Subsequently, you’ll have to use more artificial lighting.
- Unlike frameless dividers, glass panels that are encased in wood or metal are more difficult to customize and install in smaller rooms.
- In terms of cleaning and maintenance, frameless solutions are less demanding. In framed systems, on the other hand, dust and dirt can build up between adjacent components. Metal frames are also more prone to issues like corrosion, rust, and peeling paint. Considering the accumulating maintenance costs, framed installations can turn out to be more costly in the long run.
- By definition, framed panels need more structural support to function properly. This might prevent you from using such dividers in places where no load-bearing walls are available.
As you can see, enhanced durability comes with significant trade-offs.
Now let’s speak about the seeming lack of robustness and safety in frameless installations.
Frameless Partitions Can Be Durable. Here’s Proof
- Even frameless solutions contain framing elements. If you inspect a sliding glass wall a little closer, you’ll notice metal rollers both at the upper and lower parts of the construction that allow the panel to slide freely to the right or left side, or both ways. These rollers act as a support system for frameless solutions, typically holding a weight of 200 lbs and more.
- Frameless dividers consist of both moving and stationary components. Doors and other movable elements play a crucial role in divider design, with frameless sliding glass doors prevailing in modern homes and offices. Such doors do not exist in isolation, meaning some of the panels in your system will be fixed. Considering your space layout, design goals, and durability preferences, you can opt for a one fixed, one sliding panel combo, increase the number of movable and sliding panels proportionally, or build a fully custom solution. The integration of stationary elements and quality rollers into the partition design can make the solution safer and more reliable.
- Certain glass types can enhance the safety and durability of frameless dividers. As we told you, glass panels are not created equal. While tempered glass is a win-win solution for most residential and commercial real estate renovation projects, there are additional glass types that can make frameless systems even more durable. We’re talking about fire-rated, toughened, and double-glazed panels. Fire-rated glass is the go-to option for areas where fire safety is essential — for instance, kitchens in restaurants, labs where inflammable substances are stored, and living rooms with open fireplaces. Similarly to tempered glass, toughened glass is thermally treated to be stronger than regular glass. When installed properly, dividers made of toughened glass can tolerate the force of up to 20,000 pounds per square inch (PSI), which makes them just as durable as metal-framed panels. Lastly, there’s double-glazed glass, which consists of two glass panes with gas-filled or vacuum space between them. Double-glazed dividers not only reduce noise and heat loss by up to 30% but also withstand direct hits better than single-glass walls.
As you can see, the absence or presence of framing elements may indeed impact the durability of glass panels, but only to a certain degree.
When it comes to the reliability, safety, and functionality of dividers, other factors, such as design and materials, often take center stage.
So, if you’re having second thoughts about installing frameless systems in your home or office, you can express your concerns when talking to a glass wall company manager. Together, you’re bound to find a viable solution to your specific needs.
