Everything You Need to Know about Glass Partition Walls

Glass partition walls and room dividers are the modern option for dividing spaces in a home or business. They’re a wonderful product whether you’re looking to create privacy or to separate spaces while keeping the flowing ambiance of an open concept design. Let’s take a closer look at the features and uses of glass partition walls for both home and professional settings.

1. What are glass partition walls and room dividers?
2. Are there advantages to choosing glass rather than traditional walls?
3. How can the glass panels be tailored to my needs?
4. What glass options are available?
5. Is metal framing used for glass partition walls and dividers?
6. Can I create new rooms in my home using glass?
7. How about glass partitions in bedrooms?
8. Where else are glass dividers used in homes?
9. What about glass walls for an office space?
10. Are there other applications for glass partitions in professional spaces?
11. How do I care for glass partition walls?
12. What are the steps for having this glass installed?

1. What are glass partition walls and room dividers?

Glass partition walls and dividers consist of vertical sheets of glass or glass alternatives installed to separate spaces or give privacy. They are most commonly made of tempered glass, 3/8”-1/2” in thickness. The glass panels can be attached to various existing surfaces – floor, ceiling, wall, knee wall, etc. – using U-channel or clamps. Glass partition layouts can be customized in regard to the panel dimensions, number of panels, angles at which panels meet each other and existing walls, and use of glass doors or open entryways. Glass room dividers can be used in:

• Your home’s living space
• Office complexes
• Restrooms
• And more!

Glass partitions are fabricated to the appropriate size by glass professionals and then installed in your space. They can be used to create rooms within a larger area or to simply change the layout of an existing room.

2. Are there advantages to choosing glass rather than traditional walls?

Yes! When you need to divide spaces, standard walls might be the first option that comes to mind, but glass offers several advantages over frame and sheetrock walls:

• Glass partitions can be installed quickly by glass professionals. There is no waiting for drywall mud to harden or paint to dry.
• Working with glass, you avoid the mess that comes with sanding drywall.
• Glass walls can be opaque, translucent, or transparent, which gives you greater flexibility and more design options.
• If your needs change, glass dividers can be removed – or maybe even moved to another room – with much greater ease than normal walls.
• Glass walls give your space modern elegance, unmatched by normal walls.
• Glass does not absorb stains or smells, and it is easy to sanitize.

The bottom line is, glass allows you to divide spaces in a stylish way through a quicker and easier process.

3. How can the glass panels be tailored to my needs?

Glass panels can be customized in many ways so that the partitions provide the style and functionality you’re looking for.

• You can choose between walls that extend all the way from floor to ceiling and knee walls (or another type of partial wall).
• The sizes of the panels can also be customized to create a more seamless look, to fit in an irregular space, etc.
• The panels can be configured to create a room in the shape you desire. For example, many narrow panels can be installed to form a circular room within another larger space.

You also have options when it comes to what the panels are made of. Tempered glass is a popular and appealing choice. At times, though, an application calls for something even more durable, and this is where safety glass comes in. Not familiar with safety glass? Let’s get some common questions answered.

4. What glass options are available?

The diversity of glass options is what makes it so easy to create the perfect wall or partition using glass. As mentioned earlier, tempered glass is most commonly used, and this is available in:

• Clear – Transparent glass is a popular choice since it delineates separate spaces but doesn’t change the ambiance or visual flow of your space. In homes, clear glass is perfect for carving a second room out of a larger space. For instance, clear glass can be used to turn one end of your living room into a home office or toy room without making the living room look smaller. In business settings, clear cubicle dividers can boost productivity and integrity while giving staff members their own workspaces.
• Low iron – Normal glass is clear but has greenish coloration near the edges. If you want to minimize this, order low iron glass which offers an ultra-clear appearance.
• Patterned – Patterned glass provides a happy medium when you want dividers that offer some privacy but don’t block light. You can pick from various subtle or bold designs that give the glass texture and a distinctive look.
• Acid-etched – Acid-etched glass is commonly referred to as “frosted.” It’s another privacy glass option that allows light to pass through. Its classic appearance means it coordinates with any décor. Compared to clear glass, frosted glass may coordinate better with antique style rooms, so it’s a good choice for maintaining the Old World vibe of a period home.
• Tinted – Color tinted glass is another translucent option that provides a measure of privacy. ABC Glass & Mirror, for instance, provides gray or bronze tinted glass.
• Back painted – If you want to separate spaces both physically and visually, back painted glass is the way to go. This glass is fully opaque and vision-blocking. It’s available in standard colors but can be ordered in any custom color-matched shade you want.

If you choose laminated glass to address special safety concerns, you can choose from:

• Clear
• Low iron
• White
• Gray 
• Bronze

In terms of glass alternatives, both acrylic and polycarbonate are available with a clear, glass-like appearance. ABC Glass & Mirror also offers opaque acrylic sheeting in a range of colors including white, black, red, yellow, blue, and green.

5. Is metal framing used for glass partition walls and dividers?

Glass partitions can be framed or frameless. Both styles look great and lend themselves to certain interior designs, but frameless is the most popular in today’s decorating world. Frameless construction is ideal when you don’t want your walls or dividers to change the look and feel of the space. They have a sleek modern look, and their simplicity makes them easy to clean and dust. Frameless glass walls can be paired with frameless rolling or sliding doors if desired. Some common uses for frameless glass dividers are:

• As a wall to separate a contemporary home bar from the rest of the basement.
• Separating the master bedroom and bathroom in a modern home.
• To create offices and cubicles within a professional space.
• For stall dividers in restrooms.

Frameless partitions are installed with low profile metal components such as U-channel and small metal clips. Glass remains front and center, and the view from one space to the next is not impeded by metal bars.

Glass partitions can also be installed within aluminum framework. The thickness, style, and layout of the framing will be customized to your tastes and practical needs. At times a framed partition or divider better complements the theme and style of your space – in a farmhouse home, for instance. Working with ABC Glass & Mirror, the framing can be painted basically any color you want, or you can choose from these anodized finish options:

• Clear
• Black
• Dark bronze
• Light bronze

As with frameless partitions, you can have a coordinating door or doors installed or leave the entrance open.

6. Can I create new rooms in my home using glass?

Certainly! In fact, glass dividers allow you to quickly and easily remodel a space and transform it from a single room into multiple smaller rooms. 

Since 2020, the way we use our homes has probably evolved whether a little or a lot. Maybe you’ve discovered that you prefer working, studying, exercising, or doing other activities at home. Thanks to glass partition walls and dividers, it’s easy to update open concept living space to better meet these specialized needs.

• Home Office – When you don’t have a whole room to use for a home office, the next best thing is to take from the space you do have. You might already have a desk in the corner of your living room or bedroom, but adding glass partitions turns this into your dedicated office. Frosted, patterned, tinted, or back painted glass also gives you privacy and reduces distractions.
• Play Room – Are toys taking over your living room or family room? Give kids their own play area by sectioning off a portion of the room for toys, puzzles, and games. Consider an opaque knee wall or a clear floor to ceiling wall system so you can still keep an eye on your children.
• Home Gym – Exercising at home is more pleasant when you have an organized and inviting place to workout. Glass partitions give you this private home gym through a much quicker and easier process than having traditional walls put in.
• Basement Bar – Relaxing at home with family and friends is even nicer in your own home bar! Section off part of your basement and add a bar or bar tables, stools, shelves, and wall hangings.
• Study Area – A special place for learning is helpful whether your kids are homeschooling, doing virtual learning, or just completing homework. Part of a bedroom, living room, or game room can be walled off with glass and furnished with desks, chairs, and lamps. Back painted or privacy glass is helpful for reducing distractions.

7. How about glass partitions in bedrooms?

HGTV offers tons of ideas for styling the perfect sitting area within your master bedroom. You can add another level of glamour by having a glass screen or partition installed between the sleeping area and sitting area. A clear glass partition is perfect because it brings in the beauty of glass without visually breaking up the space. Glass is also the perfect divider between bathroom and bedroom space in a modern master suite. Frosted, patterned, or tinted glass gives the bathroom area some privacy while keeping it integrated with the room as a whole. This type of partition also harmonizes beautifully with other bathroom elements such as a glass shower enclosure or glass wall shelves.

Thinking beyond the master suite, glass partition walls are perfect for making kids’ bedrooms more functional. When siblings share a room, a glass divider can give each child her or his own space without permanently altering the room. Glass or a glass alternative can also be used to mark off a play area, study nook, or even a workout space within a child’s bedroom.

8. Where else are glass dividers used in homes?

Glass partition walls are useful in other parts of a house, too. They are especially complementary to contemporary or transitional décor schemes. Here are just a few examples:

• A glass wall can be added between kitchen and dining room so you don’t have to worry about dinner guests seeing a stack of a dirty dishes.
• A simple glass screen can make a living room corner into a secluded reading nook once you add a chair, table, and lamp.
• Is your basement mostly one large room? A glass wall system allows you to quickly create separate rooms with specific uses such as guest bedroom, game room, and so on.
• A panel of frosted, patterned, tinted, or back painted glass can function as a screen to hide the toilet in a luxury bathroom.

Do you have an idea for a glass divider in your home? You can schedule a free, no-obligation consultation if you’d like to learn more before placing an order with ABC Glass & Mirror – (703)257-7150.

9. What about glass walls for an office space?

Glass wall systems are ideal for giving employees personal workspaces. Avoid the time and inconvenience involved in traditional remodeling as well as the temptation to use ugly cubicle dividers. Glass partition walls improve the interior of a professional space in a few ways:

• Staff members have their own spaces clearly delineated.
• Clear glass dividers keep everyone accountable and make it easier for supervisors to monitor daily progress and activities.
• Patterned, frosted, or tinted glass provides a measure of privacy while keeping things bright.
• Glass offers a sleek, professional look that uplifts the whole atmosphere.
• Conference rooms, meeting rooms, and offices can be carved out of larger spaces through the installation of glass panels.
• Glass walls will continue to match changing office décor and color schemes.
• These dividers can be removed or moved if the needs of your business change with time.
• Glass walls won’t be stained by fingerprints or spilled coffee – they’ll never need to be repainted.

10. Are there other applications for glass partitions in professional spaces?

Absolutely! Glass and glass alternatives are perfect whenever a screen or barrier is needed. A company such as ABC Glass & Mirror, for instance, can design and install glass partitions to meet your particular needs. We also carry DIY kits for portable plexiglass shields. Here are some of the specific ways you might put glass screens or dividers to use in a professional setting:

• Desk or counter guards that are permanently installed.
• Movable screens that can be placed on desks, tables, and other flat surfaces.
• Reception windows that open and close.
• Transaction and services screens at cash registers, information desks, and counters.
• Rolling or standing screens.
• Back painted glass stall dividers in public restrooms.
• Privacy screens in locker rooms.

11. How do I care for glass partition walls?

Glass can be dusted with a microfiber cloth or soft dusting wand. It should also be regularly cleaned with an appropriate solution and soft cloth or paper towel. Only use appropriate glass cleaners and stay away from anything abrasive or harsh. It’s often best to spray the cleaner onto the rag or paper towel rather than onto the glass itself. This prevents cleaner from dripping down the glass and possibly damaging the floor or other nearby surfaces. Regular cleaning ensures that your partitions keep their sheen and upscale appearance.

12. What are the steps for having this glass installed?

The first step is finding a reliable glass company to work with. A Google search should show you a number of businesses in your area, and sites like Angie’s List and Yelp can help you make your choice. For Northern Virginia residents, ABC Glass & Mirror is a local, family business that’s been supplying and installing custom glass for nearly two decades. We are committed to your satisfaction with the completed project, so our process looks like this:

• Contact us online or at (703)257-7150.
• Schedule a free consultation at your home or business.
• Get answers to your questions and receive a free estimate via email.
• Place your glass partition order and schedule installation.
• Enjoy the benefits of professional installation as glaziers put the glass walls in place.

ABC Glass & Mirror is happy to undertake both large and small projects. We invite you to give us a call whether you need a single screen to hide the commode, a large glass wall system for an office, or something in between!