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Glass office partitions

A glass partition is a non-loadbearing internal screen that divides a floor plate without blocking light. Single glazed systems give 30–38dB of sound reduction; double glazed systems with staggered glass reach 45dB or more.

Free measured survey · fixed written quotation

Glass partitions — technical detail
Glass partitions — technical detail
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  • Fixed written quotation
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  • Commercial specialists only
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Acoustic ratings are only as good as the head detail

A 45dB partition connected to a plasterboard ceiling with an open void above it does not deliver 45dB. Sound travels straight over the head of the screen through the plenum, and the achieved figure on site can be 15dB worse than the laboratory rating.

Acoustic performance needs the partition taken to slab, or a properly detailed acoustic barrier in the ceiling void. This is the single most common reason a new meeting room still leaks conversation.

Single or double glazed

Single glazed screens are cheaper, thinner, faster to install and visually lighter. They suit open-plan divisions, breakout areas and any room where the conversation is not sensitive.

Double glazed systems put two independent panes on separate frames with a cavity between. That decoupling is what buys the extra 8–10dB, which is the difference between hearing a raised voice and hearing a normal conversation. Boardrooms, HR rooms and consulting spaces should be double glazed.

Demountable systems and the value at the second fit-out

A demountable partition costs more per square metre than a fixed one, and pays that back the first time the floor plate is reconfigured. Panels unclip and relocate, and there is no making good, no redecoration and very little waste.

On a tenanted building where layouts change on lease events, it is usually the cheaper option across a ten-year view even though it looks more expensive on day one.

Specification

Specification
Single glazed10mm or 12mm toughened, 30–38 dB Rw
Double glazedTwin 10mm/12mm panes, 100mm cavity, 42–48 dB Rw
FramingSlim aluminium track, 25mm–50mm, or fully frameless butt-jointed
DoorsFrameless glass, timber or framed glass, single or double
Acoustic sealsPerimeter and head seals, acoustic infill in the head void
OptionsIntegral blinds, switchable film, manifestation, digital print
DemountableRe-configurable without redecorating — typical on Cat A/B fit-out
Typical lead time4–8 weeks from approved setting-out drawings

Indicative rate

£250 – £550
per m² · excludes VAT

Supply and install of single and double glazed systems. Doors, integral blinds, switchable glass and out-of-hours working are additional.

Indicative range for budgeting — not a quotation

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Glass partitions — common questions

How much sound do glass partitions actually block?
Single glazed systems reduce sound by roughly 30–38dB, enough that speech is muffled but audible. Double glazed systems reach 42–48dB, at which a normal conversation is not intelligible next door — provided the head and perimeter detailing is right.
Can partitions be installed while the office is occupied?
Yes, and it is common. Installation is relatively low-noise and low-dust compared with stud work. Where drilling into slab is needed, that element is usually done out of hours.
What are integral blinds?
Blinds sealed inside the cavity of a double glazed partition, operated magnetically. They never need cleaning, cannot be damaged, and give a room instant privacy. They add roughly £120–£200 per square metre.
Do glass partitions need manifestation?
Yes, wherever they could be walked into. Part K applies internally as well, so full-height glazing needs marking in two bands. It is usually delivered as branded vinyl or a frosted band.
Can existing partitions be moved rather than replaced?
If they are a demountable system, yes — panels are relocated and the track re-set. Fixed systems bonded or plastered into the surrounding fabric generally have to be taken out and replaced.

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Free measured survey, fixed written quotation, and a straight answer about what is and is not worth doing. Mainland UK, commercial work only.