Office Partitions: How to Divide Spaces with Aluminium and Glass

Introduction: office partitions, a way to divide spaces without building work

Dividing an open space into offices, meeting rooms or work zones is a common need in offices, clinics, academies and commercial premises in Granada and Malaga. Aluminium and glass partitions are the modern alternative to plasterboard walls: they are dry-fitted, produce no rubble or dust, preserve natural light and can be reconfigured if business needs change.

This guide is for information: it explains the types of partition, the acoustic insulation you can expect and the regulations worth bearing in mind, so you can plan your project well. Today Tecnisun C.B. focuses on windows, enclosures and gates, so we do not install interior partitions; what we do, and it is our speciality, are glazed enclosures for terraces, porches and commercial premises.

Types of aluminium and glass office partitions

Depending on privacy, acoustic and aesthetic needs, there are different configurations:

Single-glass partition: total transparency

An 8 or 10 mm tempered glass panel mounted in aluminium profiles from floor to ceiling. No intermediate transoms to maximise transparency. The standard option for offices where maintaining a sense of space and natural light matters without sacrificing physical separation.

Double acoustic glass partition: maximum privacy

Two laminated glass panels (6+6 mm or 10+10 mm) with a 20-40 mm air gap between them. Achieves acoustic insulation values of 38-44 dB (per UNE-EN ISO 10140 test), providing privacy for meeting rooms, executive offices and medical consultations where confidentiality is especially important.

Partition with solid lower section: function and design

Combines a 90-110 cm high opaque lower panel (melamine, wood or aluminium composite) with glass above up to the ceiling. Provides visual privacy at desk level (no one sees your screen from outside) while allowing natural light in from above. A very common option for open-plan offices.

Sliding partition: total flexibility

Glass panels that slide along a top rail (no bottom guide) allowing the space to be opened and closed as needed. Ideal for meeting rooms that sometimes serve as open spaces for events or training. The track can be hidden in the suspended ceiling.

Bathroom partition: tempered glass with anti-limescale treatment

Bathroom partitions for homes, hotels and gyms use 8 mm tempered glass, often with an anti-limescale treatment that repels water and limescale and makes cleaning easier. Aluminium profiles in chrome, black or white finishes.

Acoustic insulation: the key in modern offices

Noise in open-plan offices is one of the main causes of workplace stress and productivity loss. As a rough guide, these are the insulation levels usually sought for each use:

Finishes and customisation

Aluminium profiles come in multiple finishes to integrate with any office style:

• RAL powder-coating: a very wide colour range. Most common for offices: black RAL 9005 (industrial style), white RAL 9010 (brightness), anthracite grey RAL 7016 (modern elegance).
• Anodised: natural silver, bronze and matt black. Durable, scratch-resistant metallic finish.
• Decorative glass: screen-printed with company logo, partial frosted vinyl (privacy bands at eye level), full acid-etched translucent glass.
• Smart glass (electrochromic): switches from transparent to opaque at the flip of a switch. The premium option for high-end meeting rooms.

Regulations for partitions in offices and commercial premises

Installing partitions in workspaces must take specific regulations into account:

• CTE DB-SUA (safety in use): accessible glass surfaces must be safety glass (tempered or laminated). Large-format partitions must have visual signage (bands, screen printing, vinyl) at two heights to prevent impacts.
• CTE DB-SI (fire safety): depending on the fire compartmentalisation of the premises, partitions may need fire-resistance classification (EI-30, EI-60). This particularly affects medical practices and educational centres.
• Data protection: in medical practices, law firms and financial institutions it is advisable that conversations are not audible from outside, which guides the acoustic insulation level of the partition.
• Accessibility: doors through partitions must respect the minimum clear opening width and a suitable handle height, according to the applicable accessibility regulations.

What to consider when asking for a partition quote

The cost of a partition depends on many factors, so it is worth comparing proposals on the same basis. Before asking for a quote, define:

• The area and layout: linear metres, clear height to the ceiling and number of doors.
• The acoustic level you need: separating workstations is not the same as isolating an executive office.
• The glass type: single, double, acoustic laminated or electrochromic.
• The finishes: profile colour, vinyls and screen printing.
• The premises' regulatory requirements: fire resistance, signage and accessibility.

What a no-build installation looks like

A well-planned partition installation is a clean, orderly process:

• Visit and measurement: a technician measures the space and assesses acoustic, privacy and aesthetic needs.
• Floor-plan design: a layout is presented with the proposed distribution, including door positions, decorative glass and wiring routes.
• Made-to-measure manufacturing: profiles cut to size and custom tempered glass.
• Dry fitting: mechanical fixings to floor, ceiling and walls. No masonry, no rubble and minimal disruption to activity.
• Final adjustment and cleaning: door adjustment, acoustic insulation check and glass cleaning.

Frequently asked questions about office partitions

Can partitions be installed in rented offices?

Yes. Partitions are mechanically anchored and can be removed leaving barely a trace. They are a very practical solution for rented offices because they require no building work and can be reused in new premises.

Are glass partitions safe if they break?

Yes, as long as safety glass is used. Tempered glass, if broken, fragments into small blunt pieces. For tall partitions or heavy-traffic areas, laminated glass is recommended, as it stays bonded to the interlayer even when broken.

Does Tecnisun install office partitions?

No. Today we focus on windows, enclosures and gates. If your project involves enclosing a terrace, a porch or a hospitality terrace, we can help: that is our speciality.