Architectural Demountable Walls 101

A lot has been written about the ease and functionality of using demountable wall systems to adapt to the changing needs of the new office landscape. Demountable walls, as you have come to expect, are flexible and can accommodate any design layout. Demountable walls are also known to offer an unlimited choice of panel material such as laminate, fabric, whiteboard, and vinyl wrapped gypsum. But do you really know what a demountable wall system entails?

What is a Demountable Wall?

• Demountable walls are architectural wall systems that can be quickly installed where needed. When a redesign is required, they can also be quickly disassembled, moved, and reinstalled or reconfigured in a new location.

What Are Demountable Walls Called?

Demountable walls have many names. They are sometimes referred to as partition walls, modular walls, moveable walls or even interchangeable walls. There are slight variations, but they all originate under the umbrella of architectural demountable walls systems.

• Some demountable walls are 100% reconfigurable and up to 100% recyclable. Some may also be non-progressive – which means switching out an individual wall panel or glass section is easy and possible without disassembling the rest of the wall.
• Demountable walls have come of age. There have been many derivations of a demountable wall including unitized, pre-engineered, and field-fit.
• Field-fit wall systems have emerged as the forerunner because they deliver the only complete, unique, and scalable solution for the ever-changing needs of today’s office space, and they can only require a single trade to install.
• Standard drywall construction is permanent and difficult to modify. But with demountable walls, such as NxtWall, making changes to any office design can occur easily, quickly, sometimes even overnight – resulting in minimal work disruptions.

What does Field-fit Mean?

• The term “field-fit” refers to a process whereby each structure is built piece-by-piece onsite, rather than constructed from prefabricated units.
• Field-fit wall systems provide the flexibility to adapt to pre-existing and imperfect site conditions, regardless of the severity. They integrate with building conditions such as non-level floors, curvilinear layouts and out-of-plumb building columns.
• Field-fit tolerances can accommodate up to several feet of change, unlike “unitized” or “pre-engineered” walls systems which allow only inches.
• Eliminate the risk of incorrect field measurements and panel sizes by choosing field-fit construction.
• The field-fit process uses non-progressive framing and allows access to individual panels without impacting adjacent area.

Advantages of Field-fit Demountable Wall Systems:

• Maximum flexibility
• Meets challenging environments
• Non-progressive construction makes it easy to switch out panels
• Sustainability/LEED
• Free standing or floor-to-ceiling wall design options
• Some demountable wall systems are 100% reconfigurable and up to 100% recyclable

• Speed of construction - only a single trade needed to install
• Tax savings – Section 179 depreciation
• Turns open office space into private office space quickly
• Easy to clean surfaces for employee safety and privacy

When future changes are inevitable and competitive pricing is important, demountable walls are the best option!

Demountable Walls and Partitions are More Responsive

• Demountable walls can provide floor-to-ceiling or open space partitions that are freestanding and offer protection when separation is required.
• Architectural wall systems offer unlimited opportunities to create the perfect environment. Clean lines and user focused designs, architectural walls offer endless customization.
• Combine solid or glass panels for innovative workspace design solutions. Add a tackable fabric board, whiteboard, or get creative with nearly any material or design imaginable.
• Eliminate the risk of incorrect field measurements and panel sizes by choosing field-fit construction.
• Demountable partition walls such as NxtWall demountable walls are the perfect way to adapt to the new office environment.

Recap: The Demountable Wall Advantage

Clean efficient process, one trade group to install, and low impact on operations.

100% reconfigurable and up to 100% recyclable, LEED compatibility, daylight harvesting with use of glass walls.

Blended price per lineal foot competitive with GC/Trades. More affordable than drywall construction in the long run.

Combination of glass and solid walls with an array of finish options fits unique shapes. Center pane glass walls.

Many municipalities do not require a permit to install demountable walls which are classified as furniture.

3–5 week standard lead times.

As requirements change, demountable walls can adapt.

Reuse, re-purpose, and reconfigure strategy.

Qualifies as furniture for accelerated depreciation Section 179.

No delays as with typical gypsum drywall construction. Eliminate debris, sanding, finishing and painting. Some demountable walls require only a single trade to install.

How Much Do Demountable Walls Cost?

There is no single per-foot price: the cost of a demountable wall system depends on the mix of glass and solid panels, wall height, door types and hardware, finishes, and how much reconfiguration the layout needs to support. Glass-heavy designs sit at the higher end and solid-panel layouts at the lower end, and because the walls are typically classified as furniture rather than construction, they may qualify for accelerated depreciation that permanent construction does not.

For a realistic number for your own project, sketch your layout in Build and Price and see a budgetary estimate in minutes, or read our guide to what drives glass office wall pricing.

Where can Demountable Walls be Used?

• Private Offices
• Conference Rooms
• Reception Areas
• Collaboration/Breakout Rooms
• Full Glass Partitions
• Co-working Offices
• Break Rooms
• Office Renovations
• Retail Walls and Fronts
• Demising and Temporary Walls
• Classrooms
• Training Rooms
• Feature Walls
• Privacy Walls

• Computer/Technology Rooms
• Banks, Financial, and Legal Facilities
• Freestanding Offices
• All Glass Offices
• Multipurpose Offices
• Executive Offices
• Financial and Insurance Offices
• College Universities and Institutions
• Developers and Real Estate Management
• Tenant Spaces
• Hotels and Hospitality
• Fitness and Training Facilities
• Technology, Energy, and Science
• And Many More...

NxtWall Demountable walls are truly the best option available for customers who want to stay ahead of the curve. Look to NxtWall for all your partition needs.