Overview of loft-style partitions

In the 40s of the last century, a style direction appeared in New York, which was called a loft. Brick and concrete walls without finishing, open engineering communications, emphasis on the ceiling beams became its highlight. Partitions made of tempered glass and metal profiles look especially impressive in urban interiors.

Loft-style partitions are made of glass and rust-resistant metal. They are widespread in cafes and restaurants, office centers, showrooms, and spacious open-plan studio apartments. In recent years, the trend is rapidly gaining fans, and this is not surprising, since the advantages of such a design solution are obvious.

• Loft partitions do not take up much space, have a simple transformation system, a simple opening / closing mechanism. This allows you to make the space as ergonomic as possible.
• The use of glass visually expands the boundaries of the room. The material transmits light well, so the room looks voluminous.
• The metal from which the structure frame is created has a long operational period. For the production of a profile, rust-resistant steel or aluminum is used, and the top is covered with special high-quality paints.
• To fill the metal profile, glass is used, due to which the partitions are given additional fire resistance.
• The structures are easy to install and can be attached to walls, ceilings and floors, as well as beams.
• The finished product has a stylish appearance, emphasizing the uniqueness of the urban design of the room.
• The use of partitions in the form of cabinets, chests of drawers and shelves also brings additional functionality. This solution is effective, since the modules not only serve as an additional emphasis, but also fulfill the tasks of organizing the storage system.
• The use of modern production technologies allows you to create partitions of various shapes and sizes.
• The structure is based on a thin metal profile, which makes the partitions lightweight and does not burden the space.

However, there are also disadvantages.

• Fragility. Despite the fact that thermally tempered glass is used to create the partition, it can nevertheless be broken. However, it crumbles in large pieces, so the risk of injury to household members is minimal.
• The glass partition requires constant maintenance. It needs to be washed often, because during the day dirt and dust particles inevitably accumulate on the surface, and handprints remain. The untidy look negates all the advantages of the design solution.
• Glass partitions do not create the illusion of privacy, and in addition, they have increased sound insulation.
• Glass are categorically incompatible with loudspeakers, as this material reflects sound. It is subject to vibration, and thus the effect of using special equipment will be negated.
• The disadvantages include the high price of loft partitions. However, against the background of a long operational period, this defect seems insignificant.

In addition to metal and glass structures, glass cabinets, large mirrors in the frame, shelving and upholstered furniture can also play the role of partitions in the loft room. All of them look harmoniously in an industrial style, making it more efficient and conceptual.

Let us dwell in more detail on the popular types of loft partitions.

These designs include one or more glass sheets. They may be:

• one-piece - such designs are optimal for installation in bathrooms of apartments, in trade pavilions and office premises;
• metal profile partitions - have become widespread in premises of various purposes;
• windows between separate rooms - in most cases they are mounted in exhibition halls or living quarters.

Stationary partitions are often installed by owners of open-plan studios. In this case, preference is given to structures made of thin steel sheet or other similar material. The profile is attached to the floor and ceiling, providing sound and heat insulation. The metal profile is filled with matte or tinted glass - this allows you to achieve intimacy in taking hygienic procedures.

Such partitions are made of a wide variety of materials: metal, glass, as well as wood, veneer or MDF. These designs are optimal for the design of the most ergonomic interior in the studio. They are in demand in showrooms, restaurants and cafes. The solution is popular in chain stores and shopping malls. The design of such models includes several sliding mechanisms, it can be performed in the form:

• "Books";
• "Accordions";
• blinds.

Cascade systems with top suspension have become widespread. All sliding mechanisms have mobile panels, thanks to which the delimited zones in the room can be very quickly combined and create a holistic space. Such solutions are very convenient in offices, when individual workrooms can be quickly and effortlessly transformed into a conference room. Sliding partitions can also be used in the zoning of living space, if you need, for example, to separate the working area from the living room while performing any tasks, and then return the room to its original size.

The structure of such partitions clings to the floor and ceiling, it provides movable panels that function as a door. They are sliding, pendulum or swing, they provide handles. Such partitions are made of aluminum profiles and tempered glass. They are widely used in the organization of shopping centers and offices; they are mounted less often in residential buildings, mainly for arranging offices and dressing rooms.

Such pieces of furniture can be used not only as interior partitions, but also serve as a functional storage unit.

To install partitions in the loft theme, only the highest quality metal profiles are used, the individual elements of which are connected by welding. Glass of one of the following types is used for filling.

• Float base. The thickness of such a sheet is 4-5 mm. The material is not resistant to mechanical deformation, therefore, to protect the surface from cracking, it must be covered with a protective polymer film. May have a bluish or greenish tint.

• Strained glass made of ordinary glass sheet under heating up to +650 degrees, followed by sharp cooling. The glass sheet is cooled with a powerful jet of air that comes in from both sides at once. Filling thickness - 6-12 mm.As a result of heat treatment, the material acquires increased resistance to temperature shocks and mechanical strength, so the room is usually used in combination with an aluminum profile.

• Triplex is a stylish construction of two or three layers of hardened canvases, glued together with a film or liquid polymer composition. With any technique, the mount comes out strong, the interlayer between the blocks does not exceed 1 mm. When creating partitions, triplexes of 6-12 mm are used. Such glass is very difficult to break or otherwise damage. Its only "weak link" is the edge, which is why it is protected by a strong steel frame.

Loft-style partitions must be complemented by original furniture. Here, the combination of glass with various types of surface finishing of decorative objects looks harmonious, and they can be made from any available materials (metal products, wooden boards, cut profile pipes).

Glass provides endless possibilities for decoration, it can be made in any degree of opacity, be transparent, have any color solution, be it black, white or scarlet. Depending on personal wishes, the owners of the premises can choose smooth and rough surfaces. If desired, you can always apply your favorite image to them.

In the classic design, when creating loft partitions, tempered glass with a thickness of 3-8 mm is used. However, if you require increased noise and heat insulation, then it is better to give preference to 10 mm ones.

If you want to achieve 35 dB sound insulation, you will need double glazing with 5 mm panels installed with a 3 mm gap. Such a solution will be much more effective than a single thickened glass, since the vacuum interlayer acts as a noise barrier and absorbs sound waves.

Triplex is expensive, therefore, when installing frame interior partitions, it is not always justified. The only exception is facade structures, the main task of which is to keep warm and withstand external wind and snow loads.

Wired glass would be a good option - this is a budget, and at the same time, a simple base option. As a rule, the canvas is reinforced with a reinforced mesh. This solution allows you to create an obstruction to the view from neighboring rooms and completely eliminates the unpleasant "aquarium effect".

For residential premises, it is better to give preference to corrugated glass. It gently diffuses light and gives limited visibility, therefore it creates the illusion of privacy.

The appearance of the glass is largely due to the peculiarities of its manufacture.

• Matt surfaces are obtained by sandblasting. The cloth is abrasive cleaned with a directed jet of compressed air and sand. The result is a matte effect combined with a perfectly smooth surface.
• Chemical etched glass is very popular. In this case, the base is treated with acid, and the glass takes on a matte hue.
• If you plan to use a transparent canvas, it is better to give preference to models covered with a polymer film.
• If the filling should be perfectly transparent, then optiwhite will be the best option. During the production process, such glass is subjected to bleaching and thereby exclude any third-party shades. Such designs transmit 100% of the light, and this is especially true in confined spaces.

Loft-themed partitions look harmonious when decorating narrow corridors. They separate the corridor from all other rooms, while maintaining the required level of illumination.

The presence of babies can interfere with effective work at home. To zone the office space, a loft partition can be a good solution. It will create an aura of privacy in the room, but at the same time leave enough field for viewing everything that happens on the other side.

Staircases with glass partitions installed on them look very stylish. They give interiors a stylish look, while maintaining basic safety features.

A touch of originality can be brought into the living room or bedroom by installing a decorative loft partition. It will effectively divide the space into functional areas, fill the room with light and cope with soundproofing.

Loft partitions are widely used in commercial premises, offices, restaurants and shopping malls.

For information on how to make a loft partition, see the next video.