Privacy options for glass offices compared
There are five main ways to add privacy to glass offices: decorative manifestation bands, frosted or patterned film, full-height opaque film, venetian blinds between double glazed panes, and switchable smart glass that turns frosted at the press of a switch. Film is the cheapest, integral blinds the most flexible for double glazed walls, and switchable glass the most premium.
What is the cheapest privacy option?
Frosted window film is the cheapest. A band at seated eye level, roughly 900 to 1,500mm from the floor, gives privacy to people sitting at a table while keeping light and a sense of openness above and below.
Are integral blinds worth it?
Integral blinds sit sealed between the two panes of a double glazed partition, so they never need dusting and cannot be damaged. They let each room choose open, angled or closed, and work best where privacy needs change during the day.
When is switchable glass the right choice?
Switchable smart glass suits boardrooms, interview rooms and clinic rooms where the room needs to be open most of the time but fully private on demand. It costs more and needs a power supply, but it removes the need for film or blinds.
Do I still need manifestation if I add privacy film?
Yes, unless the film itself makes the glass clearly visible at both required heights. The building regulations need glass in doors and screens to be obvious at about 850 to 1,000mm and 1,400 to 1,600mm from the floor.
