Sliding and operable partition walls can create unique spaces within offices and at conferences or exhibitions.

While both serve a similar purpose – defining spaces and adding privacy – they offer a few distinct differences.

How do sliding walls differ from operable walls? Is one better than the other?

Here, the team at AEG Partitions answer these questions and more.

What is an operable partition wall?

Operable walls are a type of movable wall that can adjust the room layout – dividing or combining rooms as needed.

These are suspended from an overhead track (with no floor track necessary) and consist of panels that can be moved separately from each other. However, when fitted together, they create a continuous wall.

When the partitions are locked into the walls, ceiling, and floor correctly, they offer the same results as a permanent structure.

The advantages of operable partition walls

Quick to reconfigure

Should you need to adapt to changing circumstances (i.e. you have new starters and need to have a reshuffle in the classroom or office), operable walls can be quickly and easily relocated.

They require no specialist tools or skills.

Convenient

Whether manual, semi-automatic, or fully automatic, operable partition walls offer effortless operation using roller systems and locking mechanisms.

They’re simple to manoeuvre, position, and stack away – saving time. And as they say, time is money!

Privacy

Operable walls are designed to enhance privacy and reduce the transmission of sound.

They not only look aesthetically pleasing, but they can achieve the required acoustic specifications of your business, ensuring private conversations remain exactly that – private.

What is a sliding wall?

Sliding walls are similar to sliding doors but wider – extending from one side of a room to the other.

They are typically solid panels mounted on a floor track, which makes it easy to grab one end and slide it open or closed. However, our Teachwall 200 hinged sliding folding system can also be top-hung, reducing the need for a floor track.

Sliding partition walls can be stacked neatly against the wall at either end and interlock to create a space that offers excellent acoustic qualities and privacy.

The advantages of sliding walls

Easy to operate

Sliding walls can be operated from left to right or right to left.

A magnet keeps the door from leaning and prevents damage to the seals on the bottom while a roller glides along the track, making it easy to push the panels.

The panels are locked into place using an operating handle (turning it anti-clockwise). To open your space, unlock every panel with the handle supplied before pushing them carefully to sit flush against the wall.

Versatility

At AEG Partitions, our sliding walls come in a choice of 8 standard colours.

From single-wing stacking with the lead panel as a pass door to a centre fold option that uses central rollers so panels can be stacked on both sides of the room in an open position, there’s a sliding wall to suit every interior.

We also provide bi-parting sliding walls where half of the partitions stack to the left and the other half stacks to the right.

Productivity

The beauty of sliding walls is that they have acoustic seals that help to reduce unwanted noise – ensuring workers don’t get distracted by their colleagues or phones ringing when they are trying to focus on their own tasks.

You don’t need to cut off a department from the wider team entirely with sliding walls. They can temporarily provide privacy for meetings, interviews, and private discussions in the workplace and enable employees to collaborate and stay focused – ultimately encouraging productivity.

Are operable walls or sliding walls best for your business?

Both operable and sliding walls offer unique benefits for different environments and events.

For example, the flexibility of an operable partition wall is typically better suited to conferences and trade shows – allowing you to adapt swiftly.

However, if you require a longer-term solution for room division (i.e. to create meeting rooms without extensive remodelling), sliding wall partitions are typically favourable.

Invest in Teachwall 200 sliding walls today

If you’re looking for a top-quality sliding wall for your business, look no further than AEG Partitions Teachwall 200.

We have been supplying and installing our acoustic sliding partitions for offices, educational establishments, conference centres and exhibition halls, churches, gyms, and everything in between for many years.

Whatever your needs, we’re always on hand to help.

So, why not discuss your requirements with our friendly team?

We’ll happily share our expertise and assist you in choosing the best solution for your space and budget.

Either call us on 0333 305 0050 or email sales@aegpartitions.com, and we’ll be in touch shortly.