What Is An Office Wall?

The wall is one of the most overlooked elements in an office. It can stand in place for years without being given the slightest regard by people that come and go within its confines. What many people don't know is that a good wall can spell the difference between a drab office environment and a lively, productive workplace. Office walls can also be designed and used to tailor to the particular priorities and demands of a business. A key factor to maximizing the use of walls in order to maximize productivity is to know what types of walls to use and how to use them inside the office.
The Full Office Wall vs. the Semi-Wall
Office walls may come as full, floor-to-ceiling enclosures or as semi-walls that do not extend to the ceiling. The main consideration in choosing between a full wall or semi-wall for an office space is privacy - for what purpose would this space be used and how much privacy would this require? Executive offices and conference rooms are best walled fully; however, the workers at the main office floor need not have their own separate full partitions. Sociability is also a consideration when choosing between the two. A half-wall allows more interaction to occur between the walled spaces than a full wall does. Low partitions are okay between operators in a call center but not advisable to separate distinct office departments from each other.
The Solid, Opaque, and Transparent Office Walls
Office walls can be made up of different materials. Wood, plaster or concrete walls are solid so that nothing can be seen from the other side of the wall. There are some polymer and plastic wall panels that are opaque and allow the silhouettes of the room's occupants to be seen. Glass walls can also be glazed to render them opaque. Transparent walls, on the other hand, reveal the insides of a room completely. These may either be glass, or a more recent development, steel frames. Some wall panels can be also made up of a mixture of solid, opaque, and transparent elements. In choosing between these types of walls, the main consideration will be the privacy of the occupants and of the activities taking place inside the space. Bathrooms can never be transparent. Visitors' lounges and reception areas are often glassed in and opaque or transparent. Executive offices are often enclosed by a solid wall.
Accessibility and the appearance of being open and approachable may also be a consideration in choosing between solid, opaque and transparent walls. There are businesses that choose an opaque wall for their executive lounge or conference room to give the impression of having nothing to hide.
The Fixed vs The Movable Office Wall
Fixed walls are permanent and set to the building's foundations while movable, semi-permanent walls can be repositioned. For large office floors and departments, making use of movable walls is the most practical choice. This offers the flexibility of letting you reposition the walls when space and personnel constraints require it. Movable walls are also best to use in small offices.
Fixed walls, on the other hand, are best used for clearly defined and permanent spaces like the office bathroom, kitchen, conference room, and executive offices.
The Multifunctional Office Wall
In this era of multi-tasking a wall is simply not a wall anymore. Nowadays, full-length cabinets, shelves, and even planters can double as an wall or partition. This offers the best maximization of both space and utility.
Office Wall Design and Texture
Nowadays, it is rare to see plain white offices. Office walls can be paneled wood, with wainscoting or inlaid designs or texture. It can be glass with glaze or engravings. It can be a myriad of different colors, designs, and textures. Some walls even double as works of art. It all depends on the overall design of the office in accordance with its purpose, philosophy, and vision.
Avanti Systems, USA offers a full line of working walls for the office environment. From movable glass panels to solid multi-purpose storage walls, you are sure to find something to meet your wall needs. Come visit our website at http://www.avantisystemsusa.com/working-walls.html and see what our selection has to offer.