Glass partitions or plasterboard stud walls?
Plasterboard stud walls usually cost less to build and block more sound for the money. Glass partitions keep daylight across the floor, go in faster with far less mess, need no decorating and can often be taken down and re-used, which is why most modern offices use glass for rooms that face the open-plan area.
Which is quicker to install?
Glass is quicker on site. Panels are toughened off site to the surveyed sizes and a typical meeting room is fitted in one to three days. A stud wall needs framing, boarding, taping, plastering and decorating, with drying time between stages, so the same room can take a week or more.
Which is better for sound?
A well-built insulated stud wall blocks more sound for each pound spent. Double glazed or acoustic laminated glass closes much of the gap, reaching around Rw 42 to 48 dB, and both kinds of wall depend on how the ceiling void and the door are detailed.
Which is better for daylight and wellbeing?
Glass keeps daylight and views across the floor, which helps the people sitting in the middle of the plan and can cut the hours artificial lighting needs to run. Privacy is added with manifestation, film, blinds or switchable glass rather than solid walls.
Which is easier to change later?
Framed and demountable glass systems can be taken down and refitted in a new layout. A stud wall is demolished and goes to waste, and the floor, ceiling and decoration around it need making good.
