NXTWALL ARCHITECTURAL WALL SYSTEMS ARE FAST & EASY TO INSTALL!

 
NxtWall Architectural Wall Systems already lead the demountable wall industry with the fastest 3-5 week standard lead time, but did you know our wall systems are also fast and easy to install! NxtWall architectural walls are the perfect choice for a quick office reconfiguration or they can be used as an economic alternative to standard drywall construction. NxtWall is unlike any other wall company on the market today. Our unique approach delivers a floor-to-ceiling wall solution that is able to adapt and be flexible to meet the needs of today’s ever-changing office space requirements unlike the “unitized” or “pre-manufactured” demountable wall systems of the past. NxtWall is “field adaptable” and uses a simplified framing approach, creating a demountable wall system that enhances your work space. The First National Bank of Michigan (Holland Branch) had recently realized the speed and ease of installation of NxtWall demountable wall systems.

“I was amazed at how quickly the NxtWall installation of the new First National Bank of Michigan’s Holland office came together.”
 
– Greg Accardo, VP & Market President,
First National Bank – Holland Branch

“From the concept stage to the finished product, I was very impressed by the professionalism and attention to detail NxtWall demonstrated throughout. The finished product is great and a much better alternative to the traditional cubicles you see in many offices.”
 
– Greg Accardo, VP & Market President,
First National Bank – Holland Branch

First National Bank of Michigan which is a locally owned, community-minded bank with locations throughout Southwest Michigan wanted to expand into a new market in Holland, MI. Their permanent location was still under construction but the time was right to open their doors so they moved into a temporary space. They needed to move fast and they wanted a wall system that was not only architecturally appealing but also demountable and reconfigurable so, when the time came, they could move it to their new location.
Given the temporary nature of the new First National Bank of MI Holland office location, they needed a truly demountable wall system. One in which they could take with them when their permanent location was completed. To add to the challenge, the temporary space was an open office plan with exposed brick and uneven wood floors. The older building also had both lighting and ventilation issues to overcome.

Freestanding Glass Conference Room with Double Glass Sliding Doors

NxtWall’s demountable wall systems were the obvious choice. By using both the functionality of Flex Series and the sophisticated style of the View Series for an all glass conference room, FNBM with the help of SKP Design were able to achieve the look they wanted while staying within their budget. NxtWall’s View Series was used to create a butt seamed glass wall conference room with standalone sliding doors that added to the office’s clean design. 3form varia ecoresin panels where used to accent the conference room while admitting day-light into the space with an all glass front. The Flex Series was used to construct the private offices which provided the necessary solid panel side walls and glass fronts. By using the freestanding approach, NxtWall’s products were also able to provide an efficient solution to the existing ventilation and lighting challenges. FNBM was very pleased with both the overall look and functionality of NxtWall demountable wall system and were amazed at how fast the wall system was installed.

Today’s workspaces demand responsiveness to changing technology and an improved utility of the space. The office space of the 21st century needs are changing– from privacy to collaboration, professionalism to eccentricity or low tech to high tech– all in an effort to provide a productive and healthy environment for a new generation of workers. You can easily partition off an interior space without compromising quality or aesthetics, and our clerestory interior walls can allow natural light in your space. Our modular wall partitions are easily moveable so you can reconfigure your office space with minimal downtime. Because our office walls are removable, they are a cost effective and easy way to remodel office space. Decrease the square footage of office space in a room quickly, or add components to reconfigure the design for a minimal cost. NxtWall makes it easy!

NxtWall architectural walls only require a single trade installer who can take the project from start to finish. We recommend using preferred installation technicians or NxtWall preferred installation companies for all NxtWall installations to ensure quality, product and aesthetic performance.

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A newly reconfigured and redesigned showroom provided attendees the opportunity to meet the NxtWall Senior Management Team and Lead Designers. This year, NxtWall incorporated strategic industry partnerships and showcased unique wall finishes representing the endless opportunities available with their Flex Series Demountable Wall System. Inside one of the featured rooms was a patina cork wall, allowing for an aesthetically pleasing and integrated form of a floor to ceiling communiqué. Another newly introduced room was a rotunda shaped seamless glass conference room. The conference room features a custom 3M Frosted Film supplied by Scott Moseley of Michigan Glass Coating which incorporated a graphic of the Chicago skyline with the NxtWall company logo. The 2016 NxtWall showroom also featured the Flex Series Demountable Wall System as a complete free standing room or standalone office with an integrated ceiling system, double pane glass door with a drop seal, sound damping panels, and sound masking technology supported by Soft DB.

Reduce, reuse and recycle

Three words that NxtWall stands for to better our planet and your company.

Standalone office at NxtWall Chicago Showroom

Staying true to the testament to the sustainability of the NxtWall products, 75% of the 2016 showroom was constructed with re-purposed framing and glazing components from previous years. In doing so, Nxtwall recycled the materials that were not used, and reduced waste by incorporating as much product into the new showroom design as possible while still presenting an entirely new layout, new functions and new features. This practice not only appeals to the green building industry and LEED projects it is also attractive to those of us who seek to keep a lean budget and reduced downtime in remodels. From the free standing office to the frosted film glass wall NxtWall’s showroom is a tribute to environmental stewardship and contemporary design.

Success in Collaboration

The NxtWall showroom left an impression on nearly 500 visitors!

Office with demountable cork wall

NxtWall’s President Jerry Sweet “This was our busiest Design Expo showing to date, Dealers are recognizing increased opportunities by adding Demountable Walls to their Product offerings and are excited by our price point and accelerated lead times.” Ultimately, the showroom offered an inviting environment with a place to relax, escape the corporate chaos at Merchandise Mart and a calm and immersive spot for visitors to collaborate with other industry professionals. Although much talk centered around the quiet free standing office and the other featured demountable wall products in this year’s showroom, it was interesting to hear of the sizzling temperatures in Arizona, view pictures of the flooding in Houston, and gain informational traveling tips domestic and abroad.

President Jerry Sweet and Vice President Chris Palinski would like to thank all members, representatives and dealers for attending NxtWall’s showroom in the Kenzie Design Center. The company is excited to have presented another successful Design Expo! NxtWall’s Chicago Sales Showroom is available year round, if you were not able to attend the Design Expo and would like to setup a tour please contact us today at info@nxtwall.com

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As if staying on top of building code changes was not enough to keep facility managers hopping, recent mandates for maximizing building energy efficiency has added another level of complexity. Commercial property owners are now required by law to disclose their building energy use in two states, one county and 14 cities in the United States and the numbers are growing.

Always in the forefront in architecture, the City of Chicago adopted a Building Energy Use Benchmarking Ordinance in 2013. The goal to achieve transparency of energy use and create a more livable, competitive and sustainable city has been augmented by a healthier environment and economy for the city. Chicago’s 2015 Energy Benchmarking Report, includes all of its 77 neighborhoods. Of the more than 1,800 properties reporting, energy performance was above national median levels. On a bittersweet note, the 2015 data also identified missed opportunities of which the reporting buildings could adopt to save $100-184 million in Chicago per year.

Benefits of Energy Benchmarking

• improved awareness of energy use and costs
• increased access to energy use information
• adoption of cost-effective energy efficiency improvements
• environmentally friendly choice

Unless you’re one of those rare statistics-junkie facility managers, the idea of adding another governmentally mandated report is as attractive as a swim in Lake Michigan in January. There is good news in all of this, however. Lease-tenant, institutional and owner-occupied buildings have already been working toward green building practices, Energy Star certification and or LEED certification in new building or renovation projects for a number of years now. Energy benchmarking aside, every lease-tenant, building owner, and University in the country is seeking to support the sustainability of buildings, the reduction of energy costs, and increase of comfort for occupants.

“Buildings are the #1 energy consumer and CO2 producer” – U.S. Department of Energy (DOE)

As new construction and existing building renovations begin, sustainable solutions and products are at the forefront of planning. From the use of continuous insulation in exterior walls to block the elements, to the installation of daylighting glass demountable walls that adjust for changing environments, sustainability practices are embraced at every stage. It is these innovations and improvements in design and construction that will help meet tightening energy efficiency standards.

Steps for Building Energy Efficiency

• evaluate the existing Building Energy Asset Score
• identify efficiency opportunities
• obtain Core Performance rating or an Energy Star Rating for the facility
• choose energy efficient materials and improvements

By defining building performance goals for energy and maintenance, owners and managers will save in initial costs as well as long-term operating costs. If you are building a new facility or upgrading an existing facility, you must consider interior components as well as the building envelope for building energy efficiency and maintenance demands.

Energy Efficient Solutions for Commercial Spaces

• use of renewable energy sources
• high efficiency HVAC and control system optimization
• LED lighting options
• daylighting with exterior and interior glass walls
• exterior walls with continuous insulation and air barriers
• building automation systems
• management of appliances and office equipment
• plug load control
• shared workspaces and shared equipment
• Internet monitoring of equipment such as smart thermostats
• flexible, sustainable, reusable walls

As energy efficient practices and equipment are placed in use, monitoring and reporting can help identify what’s working, track budgets, and recommend alterations. Commercial, educational and municipal building managers and property owners may consider organizing an energy team to assist with monitoring. The energy team can be responsible for planning the energy program, implementing, evaluating and maintaining momentum.

Whether your facility is in a city that mandates energy benchmarking or you’re preparing for the 2030 challenge to achieve carbon neutrality, building energy efficient practices today will protect all of our tomorrows.

The post Does Energy Benchmarking Maximize Building Energy Efficiency? appeared first on NxtWall.

Recent evidence has revealed new and renovated commercial properties that have achieved green certifications such as Energy Star, LEED and Green-Star ratings typically command higher rent premiums. Statistics are showing the higher the green certification the higher the rent for commercial properties.1

With the plethora of green building benefits why aren’t all new commercial construction projects seeking green building certifications? Numbers are increasing as the cost of building green is going down. However, there are strict guidelines associated with each certification level that requires thorough tracking to meet environmental certification labels. This is a heavy responsibility often handled by facility managers and their teams during the project management phase and after. Facility managers are under pressure to address space allocation and changes, plus tendering and procurement that demonstrate increased life cycle of assets and reduced expenditures. Reducing construction waste and costs of reconstruction, while adding value and a positive experience for the lease holder and inhabitants is the ultimate goal.

Green building benefits like energy efficiency, air quality, daylighting along with well designed interior space planning with materials and installation procedures that support good stewardship of green building practices are at the forefront of all green building plans. Once renovations or new building construction is complete and green certification has been reached, facility managers must then ensure the green building benefits hold up to the promise of delivering optimum working or living environments for lease holders. Collaboration and communication between facility managers, owners, agents and occupiers is key to reap the highest green building benefits available. At the leasing stage facility managers and building owners often develop guidelines and proper use agreements for tenants and lease holders to keep the interior environment aligned with the green building mission.

With higher energy efficiency, resource conservation, healthier interior environments and flexibility of design, there is a long list of positive green building benefits for the commercial property owner and lease holder. Research coming in shows higher demand in terms of both sales and rental values, longer lease terms and occupancy rates of certified green commercial buildings. Some indirect green building benefits include ease in refurbishment and reconfiguration of space and potential reductions in property taxes and insurance rates.2

Green Building Benefits At A Cost?

Experienced facility managers have learned upfront costs associated with green building can be offset by long-term life cycle costs and effective space planning. Energy efficient building systems, high-performance facades and demountable, moveable wall systems are a few of the sustainable solutions selected to achieve green building certifications on budget.

Demountable moveable wall partitions can be reconfigured and reused over and over again for a variety of tenants. The adaptability of moveable interior wall systems reduces the workload for facility managers a couple of ways. First by offering ease of transition for new tenants and also by reduced time and construction costs with existing tenants that have a high churn rate. Moving traditional walls as the occupants needs change is costly, messy and difficult largely because pipes and wires must be rerouted.

With moveable interior walls the speed of installation, reduced construction dust and noise from traditional remodeling, lessens workplace interruption for all lease holders of the property. Demountable walls can be installed per tenants requirements or tenants can design their interior spaces and purchase wall partitions that can be taken with them at the end of the lease.

Green Building Benefits of Moveable Walls

• offer modular flexibility for reuse and reconfiguration time and time again
• increased speed of construction and installation
• proven durability in a variety of settings
• wall systems are often constructed with recoiled materials
• most removable wall systems have a high recyclable content
• enhance green building certification points for reuse, reduced waste, etc.

For both owner and occupier, the flexibility, adaptability of design of the working or living spaces with reconfigurable wall systems, highly efficiency energy systems and the many other green building benefits ensures that the property will continue to be a valuable asset and bring high reruns into the future

Green Building Benefits for Owner:

• higher sales price
• higher rental / lease rates
• lower design and construction costs
• quicker sales/lease of property
• slower depreciation
• increased occupancy rate ( from 0-23.1%)
• lower exit yield
• reduced operational costs
• maintenance requirements
• custom lease agreements
• interior wall systems customized to suit each lease holder

Green Building Benefits for Tenant

• increased health and well-being of employees / tenants
• increased natural lighting
• optimum air quality
• increased productivity
• demonstration of corporate environmental commitment
• comfortable workplace for employees / family
• highly sought after locations / properties
• custom design interior spaces

Green Building Benefits Future Forecasting

Costs associated with achieving certification are steadily decreasing, green product options are increasing and will continue to be developed as green building becomes more mainstream. Commercial building owners who set their sites to develop high-quality buildings that are sustainable – not just award winning design feats. New building construction and commercial building investors and owners will enjoy higher occupancy rates, reduced energy costs and construction times.

1. (Wiley et al, 2010)The Higher the Green Certification the higher Rent Evidence from the United States and Australia reveals that Energy Star, LEED and Green Star-rated buildings typically command rental premiums in the range of 0%13 – 17.3%.

2. Reap the maximum benefits of the buildings sustainable features Green buildings also potentially offer indirect benefits related to reductions in property taxes, insurance rates and the costs for refurbishment. (Lucuik, 2005)

The post Green Building Benefits: Increased Rental Values and Occupancy Rates for Commercial Properties appeared first on NxtWall.

All NxtWall products are field-fit, eliminating the need for storage as well as reducing the cost of construction and construction waste. NxtWall demountable wall systems also meet many LEED certification criteria. Movable and reusable offices walls that can expand and contract make NxtWall office walls a true drywall replacement.

NxtWall has an architectural wall systems product showroom downtown Chicago in Kinzie Design Center located adjacent to the Merchandise Mart just steps away on the North side of the Mart. Headquartered in Kalamazoo, Michigan NxtWall is currently serving all of the continental United States. If you are interested in becoming a dealer of NxtWall architectural wall systems or if you are interested in being a NxtWall demountable wall product representative we would like to talk with you. Please contact us today. NxtWall is scheduling meetings at the Chicago showroom June 6 – 11, 2014. Please complete the form below and contact us to set up a private meeting or stop in during public hours or during our Wine Down event Tuesday, June 10, 2014 while attending the Design Expo at the Merchandise Mart.

Not going to be in Chicago in June? Give us a call to discuss your interest in becoming a manufacturers representative or dealer of NxtWall walls. We look forward to hearing from you. Please complete the form below and be sure to let us know the best time to connect with you.

Information on NxtWall’s Architectural Wall Systems:

NxtWall’s View Series:

Full glass front or a minimal seamed demountable glass office wall solution combines beauty and simplicity with flexibility and affordability. Contemporary office spaces incorporate daylight harvesting and welcome natural light to filter throughout the entire building. Demountable glass wall systems offer the added benefit of moving the wall configuration an easy task.  Our View glass architectural wall system offer s elegant frameless glass sliding doors, swing doors and a variety of framed aluminum or wood doors. The View office wall series can be retro-fitted with conventional gypsum wall panels and can be combined with other manufacturer’s wall systems as well as NxtWall’s Flex Office Wall Series. Customers often marry the two office wall systems together to achieve the scalable front and side wall solution in demand into today’s modern office spaces and commercial construction projects.

Learn more about NxtWall’s View architectural wall system series and preview more installation samples.

NxtWall’s Flex System:

The highest flexibility you will find in modular office wall and architectural wall systems. Office systems, hospitality industry, higher education and healthcare can choose a variety of upholstered fabrics for each panel for interior designers and modern workspaces are limited only by their creativity. Choose recycled pallet wood for your panels, stained glass, bamboo,  corrugated metal, or customized vinyl brand graphics on lucite panels. Truly a most flexible architectural wall system that receives an updated look by removal and replacement of just the panels if desired, or the whole system can be reused and reconfigured.  The Flex Series Office Wall System can also be retro-fitted with any manufacturer office wall partition and conventional drywall construction. The portability and sustainable design makes this NxtWall room divider partition office wall a smart, affordable choice that doesn’t break the budget.

Learn more about NxtWall’s Flex architectural wall systems series and preview more installation samples.

NxWall Architectural Wall Systems Dealers Exclusive Access:

All NxtWall dealers are granted password protected access to sales and marketing tools.

Sample tools include:

• sales presentations
• images and logos, email marketing, media
• installation support
• warranty and forms
• more…

Make an appointment while you’re in Chicago 

Chicago Showroom Schedule:

• Fri-Wed- 1:00-8:00pm – Open to Public 
• Fri-Wed 9am-12am – By Appointment 
• Sun 5pm-8pm – Friends of NxtWall  – Invitation Only 
• Tues 5pm – Wine Down: Relax with NxtWall  – Open to Public 

Contact: Jerry/Chris 269-488-2752 info@nxtwall.com

The post NxtWall Seeking Architectural Wall System Dealers and Representatives appeared first on NxtWall.

Do you have an employee wellness room in your office building or modern workspaces? Can you imagine being asked that question 20 years or even 10 years ago? MLive Hub downtown Grand Rapids, Michigan has one. AOL Headquarters and Yext Headquarters in New York, NY have nap rooms. So does The Huffington Post.

Matter of fact, Arianna Huffington, founder of The Huffington Post and author of the book The Fourth Instinct, the Call to the Soul has learned that when she takes time to nap and relax regularly she is actually able to accomplish more than when she was working 16 hour days seven days a week. Corporations are learning that the modern workplaces of today are not the 24/7 Dilbert model cubicle farms from the past.

Modern Workspaces and Creative Office Design Ideas Reduce Employee Absenteeism, Turn Over and Burn Out

Current data shows offices with employees who are always ‘on’ are not the most productive. In modern workspaces we are tied to computers and phone systems channeling communication non-stop. Deadlines are tighter, workloads are bigger, technology is evolving and the world is getting smaller. When we consider the pace of work life and the impact on overall health, wellness and vitality of the workforce it is no surprise corporations are researching office design ideas and implementing modern workplaces to help and improve employee health and wellbeing. The result is increased employee productivity and efficiency.

“When longer working hours have an adverse effect on worker health, owing to fatigue and work stress, they tend to keep labour productivity below its potential.“ – Lonnie Golden

Stepping away from the computer screen for even five minutes helps to reset the brain and increase body wellness and response. Collaborative spaces including open office environments encourage employee interaction and creativity. Incorporating creative tools and outlets fosters innovation and community that helps to increase morale and problem solving skills.

Inspiration for office design ideas in modern workspaces

• employee wellness rooms: include space for massages or yoga classes
• video gaming rooms
• ping pong, fooseball and pool tables in collaborative spaces
• whiteboard walls and chalkboard walls throughout the office: encourage employees brainstorming and creativity
• kitchens: natural congregation spaces and encourages healthy eating
• glass interior architectural walls: increase daylight harvesting and enhance employee health and wellbeing
• demountable wall system: options for reconfiguration of ever changing modern workspaces
• bar area for after hours networking and social events
• outdoor space encouraging relaxation and collaboration: vegetable and herb gardens, outdoor games, etc.

It’s not only conventional or modern workplaces that suck away our energy during the day either. Right now, work travel, workshops, and high energy tradeshows are gearing up for the year. During the month of June, Chicago will be crawling with interior designers, architects, facility managers, and sustainable building supply dealers and representatives for NeoCon 2014, and the 2014 National AIA Convention ‘Design With Purpose’.

In an effort to relieve the stress and overwhelm for attendees NxtWall has re-configured the demountable wall systems in the Chicago showroom. The NxtWall showroom is located just north of the Merchandise Mart in the Kenzie Design Center. The relaxing and meditative theme for this year’s showroom will highlight sustainable office design ideas utilizing architectural walls. Just steps away from the hustle and bustle of the Merchandise Mart lies an oasis of bamboo shoots, smooth river rocks and trickling water feature walls that is the 2014 NxtWall Showroom. The zen-like quality of this year’s space is meant to offer a reprieve from the hectic pace, a chance to unwind and de-stress with a cocktail while catching up with email in peace or just taking a quiet break.

Call it a nap room, zen room, employee wellness room or chill-axing space, modern workspaces that cater to the need and comfort of the employee provide a high return on investment (ROI) by attracting and retaining top level recruits who are productive and creative when it matters most. To incorporate a wellness room into an existing workspaces small adjustments could even be made with an underutilized area. NxtWall architectural walls can be installed quickly for a small investment with high returns.

If you are in the heart of Chicago in June or throughout the year check into the showroom and see for yourself. Center your mind with creative and sustainable office design ideas for the best modern workspaces to improve performance and reduce stress at the same time!

For those who will be Chicago for NeoCon or AIA Convention please review the following schedule during June 6 -11, 2014. For those who are interested in becoming Nxtwall dealers or representatives and prefer to have a private meeting, please call or email today with a time that works best and we will block out a time to meet with you.

Fri-Wed – 1:00-8:00pm  – Relax with NxtWall Open to Public
Fri-Wed – 9am-12am – By Private Appointment
Sun 5pm-8pm – Friends of NxtWall Invitation Only
Tues 5pm – Relax with NxtWall Open to Public

More reading:

Nxtwall Office Showroom Hours June 6 -11

The effects of working time on productivity and firm performance: a research synthesis paper 

The post Rest and Relaxation… in the Workplace? Office Design Ideas for Modern Workspaces Reduce Stress Improve Performance appeared first on NxtWall.

Glass walls are chosen because they delineate space while maintaining the attraction of clean, crisp, open space planning. Interior glass doors are used to communicate the ‘open door policy’ and encourage communication at all levels. This new and dramatic material use invites natural daylight to flow through the building while masking sound for workers in the space. The experience for workers and visitors is proven to increase the morale of the people who interact with the spaces. With the added benefit of meeting green building goals the sustainability quotient of demountable glass wall systems and complimentary glass interior doors is consistent with current interior space planning trends.

Office workers were found to perform 10 to 25 percent better on tests of mental function and memory recall when they had the best possible view versus those with no view. – Heschong Mahone seminal study Daylighting in Schools: An Investigation into the Relationship Between Daylighting and Human Performance

The transparency and transfer of natural light with glass wall systems and the increased air circulation over conventional drywall walls has resulted in a demand for glass doors that will keep with the integrity of the design.  Nxtwall’s line of commercial glass interior door options include single or double slider glass doors and single or double swing doors.  Choose from frameless slider doors, frameless swing doors along with sustainable solutions for aluminum framed doors with compact tracks that contribute to a minimalist design. The walls of the space do not have to be all glass for an interior glass door to bring light into a work or common space. Nxtwall’s View series walls are full panel glass but we also install interior glass doors with our Flex series wall system where the wall insert material is limited only by your imagination.

No more waiting for the sun 

Combining interior glass doors with demountable glass panels or modular partitions is a perfect solution when retrofitting or remodeling an existing space. Because the installation is less intrusive and more economical than traditional drywall installation designers can create elegant, streamlined spaces with little to no disruption of business operations.

The extension of natural light brings a sense of flow and visual transparency deep into the space. This daylight harvesting results in reduced energy use, increased productivity and well being of the occupants. Plus, the expanse of glass in a room can make even a small room appear larger and more open.

This sense of scale is further felt with the choice of frameless interior glass doors or sleek framed interior glass doors that match the finishes of chosen wall panels. Interior glass doors available from Nxtwall are Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) Compliant. These doors are free of floor tracks or when needed floor tracks will be installed and follow the www.ada.gov requirements in measurement so they can be used by all people without having to be adapted or re-designed.

Advantages of Interior Glass Doors 

• natural light and outdoor views
• sense of openness
• maximized space – smaller spaces appear larger
• minimized need for conventional lighting
• energy savings
• increased LEED points
• clean, crisp and contemporary
• increased transparency
• cost-effective remodeling
• compatible with ADA requirements
• less intrusive installation

Interior Glass Option Types

Tempered and laminated glass options are available for Nxtwall interior glass doors and interior glass wall panels. Both tempered glass and laminated glass offer aftermarket recyclability. Tempered glass is stronger than laminated against direct forces yet laminated glass is usually a safer option. However,  laminated glass is known in the industry as “safety” glass. Made up of multiple glass panels that are  divided by a layer of PVB (polyvinyl burial). If laminated glass breaks the pieces adhere to the PVB layer making it a safer option for interior installations. New technology now allows for tempering the glass and then laminating to make the glass both stronger and safer, however this added protection add a cost increase.

Tempered glass

• highly resistant to impact and temperature changes.
• limited to clear or satin etching
• digital direct-to-glass printing (permanently print designs, logos, etc. onto the glass)

Laminated glass doors

• interior films like PVB add increased acoustics and privacy
• clear and clean consistent finish of glass facings can be tempered with etching
• film can be printed with a wide range of color and designs

Interior Glass Door Types

Interior glass door types are most often determined by space and design. If there is limited clearance into a room or if a door will open into a busy walk way sliders may be the best option compared to a traditional swing door.

Swing Door – These doors swing out or into a room.

• single of double doors
• mounted on hinges on one side of the opening.
• door knobs or door pulls can be installed
• locking mechanisms can be included
• transom  or full-height doors available

Slider Doors – These doors slide away from the door opening and into the wall.

• single or double doors
• greet for new construction
• allow for full access
• reduced clearance for opening and closing  (reduces hallway traffic interruption)
• can be locked
• frees up other passageways

Frames and Finish Options for Nxtwall Interior Glass Doors

Interior glass doors offered by Nxtwall can be ordered as frameless door or with frames that will match the moveable partition or moveable glass walls specified. The frames can be minimal in size, consisting of only 4 percent of the overall material used in the opening. This minimalist approach provides aesthetics, light weight durability, ease of recyclability and more daylighting to assist in reaching LEED criteria. The main upper extrusion that holds the glass panels is mainly made of aluminum and Nxtwall offers a large range of finishes from clear anodized to any RAL color finish to match the look and feel of your interior design scheme.

Don’t you love them madly…

Commercial construction companies and building owners recognize the importance of maximizing space, flexibility and well being of their workforce and building guests with elegant and sustainable building product solutions. No more waiting for five o’clock to see the sun! With newly provided ADA compliant designs even budget conscious owners, facility managers, and developers recognize the compelling option of demountable wall systems with interior glass doors. Breaking down the barriers to natural light, bringing the outdoors in while encouraging interaction of departments creates a united and healthy work environment that is comfortable and inviting.

Call or email us today to discuss your commercial remodeling plans. We can retrofit an existing office, build out an entire floor or just add some sleek glass interior doors to bring some light into your space.

The post Break on Through to the Other Side: Commercial Interior Door Glass Options appeared first on NxtWall.

Types of Construction Waste

Construction and demolition debris includes non-water-soluble and nonhazardous materials. Some of the disposed items from construction, remodeling, or demolition of a structure include: steel, glass, brick, concrete, asphalt roofing material, pipe, gypsum wallboard, and lumber. Lumber and gypsum board ( drywall) are the top two construction materials disposed  of in landfills each year.

There are two categories of construction waste; waste generated as a result of design and specifications and waste generated by the actual construction or demolition.

Let’s take a look at the design stage. Incorrect and uneconomical decisions at this stage can attribute for a high volume of waste. Errors in measurements, specification of the wrong materials, and ordering a larger quantity than needed all result in waste. There are a plethora of items on the market with recycled content and the capability for multiple use or repurposing. Considering these options increases the sustainability of each project and reduces the likelihood of eventual disposal.

During the actual demolition and construction phases waste can be ‘accidental’ or unavoidable. Following incorrect measurements, human error in cutting, installing the wrong materials or installing them incorrectly, and damage from weather or storage all contribute to higher waste. Some of the unavoidable construction and demolition waste is potentially hazardous, for example lead or asbestos removed from older buildings, and plasterboard as it decomposes in landfills releases toxic hydrogen sulfide.

How do we motivate construction firms to decrease construction waste?

Once again the USGBC’s LEED rate systems have led the way for many construction firms to take a closer look at waste diversion for their projects. The total LEED point credits awarded under the Construction Waste Management area is based on the percentage of waste diverted from landfills. An additional exemplary performance credit is available under the Innovation and Design category if 95% of the total waste is diverted. Additionally, LEED points may be earned for use of recycled and sustainable materials on your project. Keep in mind, the quantity of total waste does not include any hazardous materials.

In 2008 the Rinker Hall Construction project at the University of Florida resulted in diverting 84% of generated waste by following a thorough Waste Diversion Plan. Each new building on campus is LEED certified and follows a Waste Management Plan resulting in less waste, reduced material loss, and less expense  to the University. It makes sense financially, and for the sake of your company image to be a responsible steward for your client budgets and for the environment. Plus if your goal is to gain LEED credits it’s time to take the next step and design a waste diversion plan that will allow you to achieve maximum efficiency.

Benefits of a Waste Diversion Plan

• positive effect on your finances and the environment
• reduced project costs benefit your client and your contractors
• reduced expense from not having to pay for excess material wastage
• increased LEED points
• meeting or exceeding state requirements (many states such as Florida have laws in place for construction waste disposal)

Important Items to Consider Including in Waste Diversion Planning

Resource/Materials Quantity: Limit the amount of waste by purchasing less material. Careful planning during procurement of materials is vital to minimizing the waste generated by each construction project. Nxtwall’s field-fit installations are a great example for minimized material waste. Smaller quantities are ordered and doors and wall systems are installed more efficiently resulting in less waste. Purchasing only what is needed also reduces the amount of materials stored onsite and the exposure to damage factors including weather. Reduced need for storage of construction materials prior to installation is another benefit.

Recycled Content:  Construction material with recycled content decreases the negative effects on the natural environment by using less resources. By using materials with recycled content it also diverts those items that would normally be going to a landfill into new use. Nxtwall View glass wall systems are a great example – doesn’t get much clearer than full glass panels and metal frames!

Reused Materials: Glass, metal and doors are just some of the products that can be reused in the construction setting. Again this practice keeps products out of the landfill and reduces material costs considerably when salvaged architectural items can be reused. We have repurposed corrugated metal in our Flex brand moveable wall systems from old buildings and salvage yards – the possibilities are endless on what can be reclaimed.

Life Cycle Cost – The advantages of choosing products and materials based on their life cycle include cost savings, reduced raw materials, and reduced waste. Demountable walls have an extended life span – they can be re-configured time and time again. Adding a new department in your current corporate office space? Building a collaborative space to increase creativity and communication? Nxtwall movable office wall systems can be designed to fit any floorplan throughout the life cycle of your building. Look for affordability and flexibility especially when it comes to interior spaces.

Are You Ready for Waste Diversion Planning?

The ultimate goal is to increase revenue, reduce client cost and decrease waste transferred to a landfill for the life span of each project. Recycling of waste means less demand for virgin materials, reducing unused materials results in less landfill space and far less environmental impact with each construction project.

From day one of a project the owner, architect, facility manager, interior designer and construction manager must agree to work together to achieve the highest level of waste diversion possible. Proper preparation of a Waste Diversion Plan will ensure waste diversion goals are met and the construction project generates minimal waste. A process should be built in for accurate documentation. Clearly defined guidelines for each stage of the construction must be communicated to all contractors and team members for optimum results.

Each Waste Diversion Plan begins by segmenting the project into phases:

Pre Construction Phase:

• Analyze the project – outline site-specific issues, identify sources of wastage and encourage reduction to reduce it at each phase of construction
• Formalize the plan – distribute to key stakeholders

Design & Set up Phase:

• Appropriate material selection – based on life cycle, recycled content and recyclable materials, accurately estimate material requirements as closely as possible, communicate with sub-contractors as to their specific requirements. – research materials recyclability  – determine the materials onsite and what recycling resources are available for disposal (for reconstruction and new build projects)
• Construction site set-up – order correct quantities of all materials, make sure dumpsters are in (optimally) one place with clear signage identifying where each material should be disposed of (wood, gypsum drywall, metal, etc.)

Construction Phase:

• Involve the whole team – include standard language in subcontracts, hold orientations to educate the workplace on why waste diversion is important and have each team member agree to abide by the waste-reduction program
• Compile proper documentation – monitor the plan, ensure workers’ ability to handle and dispose of materials properly, document waste created and diverted. Upon completion if LEED credits are sought appropriate documents for the USGBC must be completed outlining success and failures of the plan. It is all a learning project that will get better each time

Although ordering exact amounts of materials can be a daunting task and we are often tempted to order more in case of error or potential mishaps the workers knowledge of a surplus may reduce their drive for accuracy when they feel they have another option. While disposing of unavoidable waste responsibly will benefit both the environment and your bottom-line, pre-planning to reduce the impact your construction projects have on the environment and your clients construction budget will support your business acumen to serve ethically for years to come.

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