Glass partitions in the interior of a modern apartment are a multifunctional element. They serve to solve aesthetic and practical tasks, depending on the wishes of the owner and the designer’s idea. With the help of parts made of impact-resistant glass, it is possible to realize the zoning of a studio apartment, to visually differentiate a large space, without making it heavier, allowing light and air to freely circulate around the apartment.
Types of interior partitions
A variety of design and design solutions allows you to choose any of dozens of possible options, suitable for specific conditions and tasks. The main types of designs made of glass and other materials are divided into the following groups:
- stationary and mobile;
- fully or partially sliding, folding, with hinged doors and without doors;
- from whole glass, glass blocks and frame;
- radius and classic;
- from opaque, color, transparent glass, with drawings, stained-glass windows, illumination, other interior decisions.
Fixed and mobile screens
Stationary glass partitions in the interior of the room are fixed, using special fixtures to the walls, ceiling, and floor, with or without a frame basis. Change their location is possible only by dismantling. Such products are often used not only in residential premises but also in the interior of a bathroom, shower, – the so-called “sanitary” partitions, often with frameless glazing.
Mobile types are modules connected by racks, like a screen. Used as a temporary tool in the design of apartments and offices, helping to zone the space.
Frame and frameless models with or without doors
If the division of one large room into two parts requires privacy, sound insulation or, for example, in the case of the separation of the kitchen and living room, partially get rid of odors, you will need partitions with doors. Sliding, hinged or folding doors like folding doors can also be used in the bathroom, including for waterproofing. Radial models differ from linear and rectangular only by the radial arrangement of sliding door guides and the shape of the partition itself. They are more expensive due to their complex shape.
Interior partitions can be made of whole glass or using a frame of aluminum parts. Typically, the frame is performed in black, white or in the color of wood, which gives the design a spectacular graphic design. In the case of the French type of glazing with imposts, the framing is not only around the perimeter but over the whole area. This option is perfect for both modern and romantic Provencal interiors and is also beneficial in that in case of damage you have to replace a small element and not all glass. Another popular type of partitions is made of glass blocks, which are molded separately and are folded into a full-fledged wall like bricks. They provide good sound insulation, let the light through, but is not completely transparent, as in the example in the photo.
Types of glass and design techniques
As a material for the manufacture of interior partitions, duplex or triplex glass, reinforced with special manufacturing technology, as well as plexiglass, glass profile and glass blocks, is used. All of them have a different degree of resistance to the influence of external factors but are of high strength and absolutely safe. The interior of the apartment can be used any of the above types of glass constructions, but when it comes to glazing a balcony or loggia, preference is given to energy-saving double-glazed windows. Plexiglas constructions should not be placed near sources of heat and fire: near central heating radiators, fireplaces, ovens, gas stoves.
For the decoration of glass elements, various technologies are used, including sandblasting drawings, engraving, stained glass details, and colored inserts. Even a simple transparent, frosted or embossed glass in the same room will look different, creating special visual effects. Another fashion trend – glass with colored or neutral lighting – is ideal for a modern apartment in the style of pop art, hi-tech, modern, minimalism.
Why do we need partitions in the apartment?
Glass partitions in the design of apartments use:
- for zoning premises;
- to ensure full or partial privacy;
- as a redevelopment option;
- for decorative purposes.
The glass partition is a fairly fashionable and efficient zoning tool. The visual division of small studio apartments and large spaces in the spirit of a loft into a cooking and eating area, a recreation area and receiving guests allows you to emphasize the purpose of one or another corner of the apartment, without obstructing it, leaving an accessible appearance and not interfering with the penetration of artificial and natural light.
If you want to highlight in the apartment area for work, leisure, you can arrange it as a mini-office with a glass partition with a sliding or hinged door. Frame construction and frosted or colored glass guarantee certain privacy, but it is impossible to fully ensure sound insulation. The same can be said about the partitions that partially isolate the bedroom from the living room or the nursery from the adult bedroom.
In cases where the redevelopment of the apartment and the construction of standard partitions are impossible due to the construction of the house, formal prohibitions, glass dividers can solve the problem of space delimitation. Most often, this technique is used to distinguish the areas of the kitchen and living room with a stationary design with sliding transparent doors.
In interior design, glass partitions are also used for purely decorative purposes. Such structures, usually made of solid glass, are installed in living rooms and dining rooms, bedrooms and hallways, complementing the original elements: stained glass paintings, sandblasted patterns, engraving, making them colored, illuminated, with frosted or mirror accents.
Advantages and disadvantages
The glass partitions used in the interior of the apartments have their own advantages and disadvantages. The advantages include the following characteristics:
- transparency and visual weightlessness of the structures do not clutter the room, allowing air and light to penetrate into the farthest corners;
- safety even for families with small children (glass triplex or duplex is very difficult to break; if this happens, it will fall apart into large fragments with rounded edges, which cannot be hurt);
- multifunctionality;
- environmental friendliness;
- the ability to achieve partial sound insulation and privacy;
- Endless space for the realization of any design fantasies, compatibility with different styles of interior.
Disadvantages of glass partitions:
- quite a high cost (the harder, the more original the design, the more reliable the glass itself, the more expensive);
- complex installation work requiring leveling of the floor, walls, ceiling, excellence;
- incomplete tightness (odors will penetrate from the kitchen into the living room, high humidity from the bathroom to the bedroom);
- it is impossible to hold communications through such a partition; you cannot hang a picture, a clock, a TV on it.
Where to place?
Glass partitions are placed most often on the border between different zones in the same room. Thus, the partitions in the form of a glass cube are installed to separate the master bedroom from the living room; the same method is applicable to select a nursery in the common room with parents. In some modern studios, the bath is located right next to the bed, or even right in the bedroom area. Instead of the usual glass partition, it is better to install a solid, hermetic construction with sliding doors, which will save the owners from excessive moisture.
The traditional option is a frame partition of glass between the cooking and eating area, between the dining and living room, the kitchen and the living room. In the entrance area, partitions allow you to separate the dressing room from the corridor or room, visually distinguish the hallway and the apartment. Glass transparent and opaque designs are great for creating a mini-cabinet, decorative dividing a room into a bedroom and a living room.
Glass partitions in different interior styles
The glass is a versatile material that can be easily integrated into an apartment of any style. Traditional frame designs with dark framing and imposts, as in the photo, will perfectly fit into the room of high-tech style, modern, loft, any modern style, up to neoclassicism and steampunk. With their help, you can select a working area, – an office in dark colors with leather chairs and sofas, a bedroom in a minimalist style (black frames perfectly harmonize with light Scandinavian interiors). Illumination and other special effects will decorate interiors in the spirit of pop art, modern, hi-tech.
For minimalist apartments, frameless, weightless designs are also suitable. In the living room in Provence style, a classic partition with a snow-white frame and imposts will look great on a shabby chic. Glass partitions in the interiors of the classical style are decorated with sandblasted drawings, engraved, and for the modern, stained glass windows with floral motifs are the best option, as in the photo below. Wooden frame – the perfect solution for Victorian, English, Japanese, rustic and “eco” living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms.
Glass partitions in the interior of an apartment are not only a good and practical way of demarcating, zoning an apartment without its visual weight and cluttering but also an excellent decorating solution that can be incorporated into any style and layout with some imagination.
