The use of functional and aesthetic sliding door features can transform modern office environments whilst leaving a lasting impact on the teams within them, explains Brio expert David Knollman of Allegion UK.
Where traditional office spaces were once restricted to the use of conventional manual doors, today’s commercial environments no longer need to settle for mediocrity in door design. As the needs of modern workplaces and their workforces continue to evolve, so too does the market for contemporary door applications, meaning decision makers are now presented with a host of options to elevate their spaces.
Sliding door profiles have emerged as a popular choice for many, with their natural style and practicality helping transform dull office interiors into multi-functional workspaces packed with character. Between bottom-rolling, top-hung and pocket door configurations, there are a range of reliable solutions suitable for even the most demanding of workplace settings, with each offering a variety of benefits when installed.
By integrating sliding doors and embracing flexible open spaces, business owners and office managers alike can prioritise functionality, flexibility and aesthetics to enhance the working conditions in their buildings, motivating staff as a result. With that said, how exactly can sliding door features have such an influence in modern commercial properties?
Aesthetically speaking
Sliding doors are characteristically aesthetic and are frequently used to shape and extend spaces in ways that traditional doors are not able to achieve. Conventional swing doors for example, can take up valuable floor space when open and in creating self-contained rooms when closed, can form barriers to natural light.
In comparison, sliding door applications are an effective way to reclaim noticeable amounts of room when floorspace is limited. Sliding doors only require the width of the frame, with panels usually concealed on the internal side of a fixed panel or wall, providing space-saving abilities that are beneficial in streamlining busy working environments. When paired with clear glass panels, sliding doors will also allow natural light to pass through an entire workspace, making areas seem more open and creating the illusion of a larger space. By
introducing a flood of natural light, workplaces can rely less on artificial lighting, reducing energy costs and helping to improve the ambience of a space and the mood of the people working in it.
This influx of natural light combined with the sleek and modern look of sliding door features can considerably enhance the visual appeal of commercial settings too. Sliding door applications are usually constructed of large panels and where transparent glass panelling is used, features can provide clear open-plan views as a way of fostering welcoming spaces for workforces, customers and visitors. The quick and neat operation of sliding doors also helps to ensure openings feel more inviting, which can boost the mood of employees and increase collaboration, focus and productivity in the process.
Adaptable doors for flexible working
As the concept of workplace design once shifted from divided rooms to open-plan floors, it is perhaps shifting once again to a more hybrid system. The modern day-to-day operation of many commercial settings has proven the need for flexibility and sliding door systems are well suited to adapt.
With their versatile functionality, sliding door applications can be used to create both open and semi-open spaces, allowing people to move freely between different areas whilst partitioning rooms when the need arises. The ability to quickly separate one room into two usable spaces is useful in many workplace environments, where employees may need a secure space to group together for meetings and conferences. Here, the use of transparent panels can help to preserve a level of openness whilst creating physical separation and safeguarding a meeting space from external noise – also ensuring the concentration of others in the working area is maintained.
Sliding door systems are often lightweight in design and easy to use too. With a single sliding motion, users eliminate the need to open doors into the direction of foot traffic, improving traversal around fast-paced working environments. Furthermore, the sliding motion makes doors easier to operate for all users, allowing people to safely get to where they need to be, whether members of staff, visitors or those with mobility aids.
Whether used to partition space, enhance aesthetic appeal or promote greater natural light, sliding doors represent more than a practical solution for modern workspaces. In an ever-evolving commercial landscape, sliding door features can play an important role in the way that we all work, with their functional benefits transforming our workspaces for the better.
