The Benefits of Installing Internal Glazing

The pandemic caused a seismic shift in the way we live. Home and work life have crashed into each other, and working from home has become the standard for many of us.

This has resulted in some homeowners falling out of love with open-plan living; a concept which was once so coveted.

Families now need separate zones that can perform different functions, but don’t want to compromise on natural light by adding solid walls.

Best of Both Worlds

Internal glazed wall and door systems, such as Origin’s OI-30, are designed to satisfy the growing trend for broken-plan living. These products help renovators and self-builders separate the footprint of a home into practical spaces, without compromising on the amount of daylight flowing through. The availability of natural light has a significant impact on health and wellbeing, so this is hugely important.

Using a combination of glazed doors and walls, homeowners can divide their homes into separate spaces whilst achieving a cohesive design. For example, the OI-30 is available as either a single door, French door or fixed screen – or it can be used to create entirely new rooms by coupling a combination of these with a corner post.

In addition, depending on the glazing used, these wall and door systems can help to soundproof certain spaces. As standard, installers will fit the OI-30 with 4mm glazing, but there is the option to upgrade to 6mm or 6.8mm to limit sound transfer. This can be a great option for home offices to ensure a tranquil working environment.

Style Options

The current trending look for internal glazing is to use just a few horizontal bars in order to create a sleek, classic aesthetic that won’t age. Black remains the most popular frame colour, but manufacturers offer a wide range of finishes – our system is available in over 150 RAL colours, so there’s something out there to suit all interior aesthetics.

The OI-30 internal door is made bespoke using aluminium framing, so it is completely customisable – with the option to add as many horizontal or vertical bars as desired. Opting for more bars tends to suit a heritage look, whilst fewer will offer a minimalist effect. For large apertures, consider specifying additional fixed screens alongside the door to maximise glazing and make a wow factor statement.

White-framed OI-30 internal glazing from Origin makes an attractive design statement in separating this home office from the living space

The installer can also arrange for your door to be fitted with frosted or reeded glass. This means glazed walls and doors can also be used in spaces such as bathrooms or utility rooms, where the need for privacy or disguising clutter is greater.

Making the Right Choice For You

In order to achieve the best possible results, homeowners should consider whether their glass partitions will be in high-traffic areas of the house and, if so, opt for a practical configuration that works in that zone. Additionally, kickplates can be added to minimise scratches and ease opening and closing when hands are full.

Cost will always be an important consideration. The traditional steel internal glazing options can look fantastic, but they often come at a high price point. Aluminium solutions are a more affordable option; the OI-30 starts from £1,400 (including frames, glass, and installation), whilst offering that same desirable sleek aesthetic, and the quality and robustness to handle everyday life.

Here, an OI-30 glazed door has been fitted with reeded glass to maintain the flow of natural light while also obscuring views of the functional utility room

For the best finish, work with an installer who is familiar with the product and trained to fit it to the highest standards. All Origin Partners (find your local installer on the Origin website) are offered training on how to install the OI-30, which also comes with an industry-leading guarantee of up to 20 years. This offers homeowners peace of mind that, whatever configuration they choose, it will be built and fitted to last.

White-framed OI-30 internal glazing from Origin makes an attractive design statement in separating this home office from the living space

Here, an OI-30 glazed door has been fitted with reeded glass to maintain the flow of natural light while also obscuring views of the functional utility room