Innovations in Multifamily Housing
When choosing to incorporate sliding, movable partitions into multifamily housing units, there are numerous options available that can be selected to create the best solutions for a particular space. In most cases, the size of the panels is completely customizable from small window-sized units up to full-height wall panels of 10 feet or so with the possibility for transoms above if needed. Most panels are square or rectangular, but intermediate mullions or muntins can be added to create a variety of geometric patterns within the border lines of the aluminum frames. This is both a safety feature and aesthetic benefit since the most common choice is to use glass of one type or another within the frame.
Photo courtesy of Space Plus, a division of The Sliding Door Company
Room dividers and closet doors can all work together to create a coordinated design for multifamily housing units seeking innovative solutions.
Selecting the final finished appearance of the movable panels involves several choices. The first is the frame finish. Most common aluminum finishes are available that create silver, white, black, or grey colored frames. Some manufacturers also use a high-pressure finish system to create a permanent stained wood grain appearance in the aluminum. Hardware needed to operate the sliding mechanism can be selected from common choices that are necessarily recessed or otherwise designed to allow the panels to slide uninterrupted. Handicapped-accessible hardware is available as well as fixed pulls, etc. in popular finishes compatible with the frames. Within the frame a number of glazing types are possible. Clear glass may be great for some situations and opaque colored glazing may be preferred in others. However, panels don't have to be uniform unless that is the design intent. Rather, panels can have portions that are clear, opaque, or even translucent within a range of geometric patterns. The coloring of translucent and opaque glazing can be variable within common ranges of white, gray, and black or other colors. In this manner, the degree of privacy and light transmittance can be controlled while contributing to the overall interior design scheme.
From a sustainability standpoint, the use of interior movable partitions as described can result in smaller, more efficient, but more desirable living units that require less energy and resources overall. As a product, they can be re-used and relocated within a building or moved to other buildings, forgoing the need for new materials. When they do reach the end of their useful life, the aluminum and glass can be salvaged and recycled. Overall, they offer a truly durable, long-lasting, sustainable solution that helps control construction costs.
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