Partitions Archives

Acoustic Performance: Single- vs. Double-Glazed Glass Systems

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Glass wall systems are helping architects and designers create bold spaces that are flooded with natural light and feel open and spacious. However, understanding the nuances between single- and double-glazed options becomes crucial, especially when acoustic performance plays a significant role in your space’s functionality and comfort. Let’s delve into the key differences and explore the unique benefits each offers.

Single-Glazed Glass Walls: Simplicity and Affordability

As the name suggests, single-glazed glass walls feature a single pane of glass within the framing system. This design is the simpler and generally more cost-effective option upfront. Single glazing excels in visually connecting spaces and maximizing natural light transmission. It’s a popular choice for interior applications where sound privacy isn’t a primary requirement. Our LP, VETRO, HUSH, and ENDURE Series all offer single glazing.

Benefits of Single-Glazed Glass Walls

Cost-Effective: The initial investment for single-glazed systems is typically lower than double-glazed alternatives.
Sleek Aesthetics: Single glazing often presents a minimalist and seamless visual.
Ease of Installation: The simpler construction can lead to quicker and easier installation.

However, when it comes to acoustic performance, single-glazed glass offers limited sound insulation. Sound waves readily pass through a single layer of glass, meaning noise transfer between adjacent rooms can be significant. While suitable for areas where sound privacy isn’t critical, single glazing may not be the best choice for offices requiring focused work, conference rooms needing privacy, or residential spaces prioritizing quiet.

Double-Glazed Glass Walls: Enhanced Performance and Acoustic Comfort

Double-glazed glass walls incorporate two panes of glass separated by a sealed air or gas-filled cavity. This seemingly simple addition dramatically improves the system’s overall performance, particularly in terms of acoustic performance and energy efficiency. The air or gas trapped between the glass panes acts as an insulating barrier, effectively dampening sound vibrations and reducing noise transmission. Our ENDURE, HUSH, and DG Series are all double-glazed systems.

Benefits of Double-Glazed Glass Walls

Superior Acoustic Performance: The air gap in double glazing significantly reduces sound transfer, creating quieter and more private spaces. This is a major advantage for environments where acoustics are paramount.
Improved Energy Efficiency: The insulating air gap minimizes heat transfer, keeping interiors cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter, leading to reduced energy consumption and lower utility bills.
Enhanced Comfort: By regulating temperature and reducing noise, double-glazed walls contribute to a more comfortable and productive indoor environment.
Increased Property Value: The added benefits of energy efficiency and sound control can enhance a property’s overall value.

While the initial cost of double-glazed systems is higher, the long-term benefits in terms of energy savings, enhanced acoustic performance, and improved comfort often outweigh the initial investment. Additionally, when working with a glass wall partner like MetroWall, choosing a double-glazed system doesn’t mean you should expect a longer lead time. For standard finishes and hardware, we have 3-4 week lead times for all of our double-glazed systems.

Aluminum glass wall frames with matte black powder coating finish.

The optimal choice between single- and double-glazed glass walls hinges on your client’s specific requirements and priorities. If budget is a primary concern for interior spaces where acoustic performance isn’t critical, single glazing can be a suitable option. However, if you prioritize sound privacy, energy efficiency, and a more comfortable environment, especially in areas like offices, meeting rooms, or residential spaces near busy streets, double-glazed glass walls offer a significant advantage in controlling acoustic performance.

By carefully considering the differences and benefits of each system, you can make an informed decision that aligns with your design vision and functional needs, ultimately creating a space that is both visually appealing and acoustically comfortable. If you’re interested in our glass wall systems, we recommend downloading our brochure and reaching out to our team.

Choosing a Glass Partition Provider? Ask These Questions First

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For professionals like designers and architects, finding the right glass partition provider isn’t a simple exercise. That’s because the quality of the provider and their work can have so much impact on the schedule, the performance of the product and – most of all – the final ‘wow’ impact of the partition itself.

Metrowall’s clients often find us after searching for a professional partner they can trust to be an asset to their project.

To make the search for the right provider easier for you, we’ve compiled ten essential questions you should ask of a potential glass partition provider if you’re determined to find better customer experience and a ‘wow’ finished result.

Choosing a Glass Partition Provider: The Essential Questions

What makes us glass partition experts? Well, we’ve been designing, manufacturing and installing partitions purpose-made to wow since 2007. Using their experience of delivering stunning partitions for demanding professionals, our specialists strongly recommend using a simple checklist to make sure you have’ve found the right partnership for your project…

1. Who will be your point of contact: Knowing how many people you will have to deal with in advance is a must. Will there be a sales rep, a billing department, a shipping office? Or just a single person who will handle all your questions?

Look for an entirely in-house set-up. We’re proud to make, store, dispatch and install our own glass partitions all from New York State so this means one person can help each client before, during and after their order.

2. Inventory, inventory, inventory: How much and where is it stored?! Especially in 2022, knowing the location and quantity of inventory before your order is a big indicator of a fast, assured lead time.

A provider should welcome these kinds of questions! Look for simple answers with clear, detailed answers. Every time.

3. The gut instinct test: How have you found their service and support right from that very first call or email?

Friction right at the start of a professional relationship almost always means a difficult process, always trust your first impressions.

4. Off the shelf or bespoke: A downmarket supplier will be quick to cut corners with ‘stock’ solutions based on the product that suits them best.

The right glass partition partner will be keen to collaborate to create something made to excite and delight. Ask if they have in-house R&D!

5. Assess the estimate and design process: The quality of the information at the early stage is another great indicator of the standards you can expect.

Look out for the length of time it takes to receive shop drawings, plus check that the estimate is clear and comprehensive.

6. Expect samples, always: Samples should be available to give a physical indication of quality as well as a way to examine the construction and materials in detail.

A professional glass partition specialist will be bursting to tell you about the technical specification, source and quality of every part of a partition!

7. Study the client list…hard: Does the provider’s client list give you immediate confidence in their ability to make an awesome partition happen for you?

A client list should instantly impress and give some indicator of the provider’s reputation in their industry. For example, you’ll find MetroWall clients and testimonials proudly shown on our homepage.

8. Think about local knowledge: Supplying a glass partition and understanding your local area are two different things. Getting this wrong is a frequent source of delays and frustration.

Ask about their experience with local challenges. In our state – New York – this means dealing with unions, freight elevator restrictions, off hours noise rules, trade coordination, building rules & regs, sidewalk/street access, labor requirements and more!

9. Shipping details matter: A supplier who will simply drop a crated partition to your site using a delivery company opens up a risk of damage AND leaves you with crates to deal with.

Look for an in-house delivery service like MetroWall’s dispatch service (part of our ‘concept to completion’ service) as it means the provider can keep the partition safe right up to installation and even remove crates from the site.

10. Ask about the ‘why’ AND ‘where’ of the whole supply chain: Ask about the geographical location of every part of the manufacturing to delivery process.

An overseas link in the supply chain adds a risk to lead times! One element of your partition winding up stuck in a container somewhere breaks the entire lead time process. For example, this is why we insist on higher quality locally-made glass.

Why You Need to Know About MetroWall

We’re proud to be much more than just a supplier for the professionals. Our team, using years of industry experience, approaches each project as a consultant to ensure successful project outcomes. We even design, manufacture, store and install our glass partitions ourselves right here in New York. Ultimately, professionals work for us for two big reasons: our 15 years of experience and our local inventory as this means expertise without the delays!

For product inspiration plus sustainability and LEED data click here. To speak to a MetroWall project consultant, contact us. We’re here to help.

Delivering Commercial Projects in Turbulent Times

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Whether you’re an architect, construction professional, or designer, the climate for delivering commercial projects right now could well be the most challenging you’ve ever faced. Thankfully, we can help. Because we’ve been a trusted professional partner for our clients for over 15 years, we’re uniquely positioned to offer expertise, reassurance, and sustainability at a time when all three are needed most. This quick-read blog sums up why you can count on MetroWall to be ‘in your corner’ while you weather the challenges facing businesses around the world. Read on to discover three ways we can make the current climate a little easier and, most of all, a reminder to simply contact us for personal assistance. We’re here to help.

Count On Us

We’re proud to be able to support our valued clients in three powerfully simple ways during this difficult time for many of the professions we supply.

You can rely on us thanks to:

Assured supply chain: Our supply chain, based on our own manufacturing in New York State supporting our substantial and locally held inventory, has been established over the years. This means availability is one less thing to worry about.
Here today, here tomorrow: Because you want a supplier you can trust to deliver for you now and in the future, we offer the reassurance of having weathered numerous economic highs and lows! As a firmly established market leader, this isn’t our first challenging environment and won’t be the last.
A professional partner: Our clients often turn to us for advice, technical information, expert product knowledge, and for our cooperation to deliver against tight cost and time demands. Our door is always open for clients who want help to make the right interior glass partition happen within exacting budgets and timescales. Just ask.

In short, we’re here for our clients and want to help. Whatever you’re facing, we’ve helped clients face challenges before. And we’ll be proud to do the same now and into the future.

Download the resources you need to incorporate glass wall interiors into your next commercial project.

Leverage MetroWall’s Sustainable Products

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Building with sustainable products is becoming more important by the day. With climate change high on the agenda, many of us in the construction industry are thinking of ways we can build and design spaces that don’t just do good for the occupants but do good for the planet too. When it comes to interior design, there are several factors to consider, one of which is whether or not you’re incorporating sustainable products. Drywall is are construction industry stalwart, but is there a superior choice available? We say, yes.

Glass Partitions are a worthwhile choice for several reasons. Not only can glass maximize the use of space, increase productivity and boost staff well-being, it can also make for a greener build.

1. Glass and Aluminum is Recyclable

Glass and aluminum are two of the most sustainable materials around. They’re fully recyclable and can be used over and over again without a drop in quality.

2. Glass Production Creates Less Waste

The amount of waste produced during the manufacture of glass is low and most of the waste can be collected, remelted and used to produce new glass.

3. Glass Cna Reduce Energy Consumption

Glass facilitates the flow of natural light, which doesn’t just contribute to increased staff wellbeing but also saves on the amount of energy used.

4. MetroWall is a Domestic Manufacturer

We probably *could* reach out to Europe or China for our glass manufacturer, but we don’t. Our manufacturing facility is based in Congers, NY and we have built a domestic supply chain. This helps us lower our carbon footprint and offer competitive lead times.

5. MetroWall End of Life Options

Our glass wall products are inherently sustainable, and the glass and aluminum used to make these materials are easily recycled.

Download our HPD and LEED documentation for more information about how our products can contribute to your sustainable designs.