5 Reasons Glass is the Best Choice for Office Remodels

By Chad Streeter, Sales Manager at Northwestern Glass Fab 

Commercial Interior Glass is Driving Post COVID-19 Return to Workspace Decisions

Using interior glass walls in your office remodel is more important than ever before. As companies return to office settings, redefining what office space looks like and how it is utilized is crucial. This topic is essential for building owners, office managers, property managers and the contractors who serve their buildings.

A common question heard daily within the glass industry is, “What will the ‘new’ office workspace look like?” COVID-19 has made organizations re-evaluate requirements for their workspace. After the pandemic kept co-workers apart for extended periods of time, teams are rethinking how to get back together safely and how to better use their space.

Even before the pandemic, the application of glass walls in the workspace was preferred. With more organizations utilizing remote and/or hybrid work models, the amount of space and layout required for healthy and productive workspaces is being reviewed. For some companies, this could be a reduction in size of the space and layout. However, there is little doubt that glass will continue to play a large role in the new workplace to bring life, light and vitality to interior spaces.

5 Reasons Commercial Interior Glass will be the Go-To for Office Remodels

1. The Post-COVID Workplace is Smaller

The post COVID-19 workplace will be smaller than in the past. Most companies will minimize the need for all employees to be in the office at the same time. Additionally, many companies will and have moved certain work teams to virtual environments (or hired people who live in other locations). Smaller groups in the office may minimize the risk of spreading viruses. The downside is that smaller spaces can leave a negative impression on employees who are used to a large office. Using glass walls makes the office space feel larger and helps employees feel more connected to one another.

2. Glass Walls Allow More Light

Natural light contributes to a healthy work environment and happier employees. By having interior glass walls, natural light from the external windows can be shared by all employees. Among  the top nine foundations for a “healthy” building, according to an article by Harvard Business Review, are lighting and views.

3. Glass Walls get LEED V4.1 Points

Natural daylighting has been identified by the U.S. Building Council as an effective way to support the body’s circadian rhythms, which leads to a healthier and more productive work environment. By designing an office remodel that meets the guidelines for the LEED V4.1 EQ credit for daylighting, companies can bolster their LEED certification efforts.

4. Work Environment Ranks High for Prospective Employees

Interior glass walls create an updated workspace atmosphere that is an asset for recruiting. While dark and dingy office spaces have a negative impact, a modern and well-lit workspace is perceived as welcoming and gives prospective employees the sense of a fresh and inviting environment. In a research poll by Harvard Business Review, access to natural light and views of the outdoors was the number one attribute for a positive employee experience in the workplace. Access to natural light was selected ahead of cafeterias, fitness centers and childcare.

5. Glass Walls Improve Flexibility for Future Updates

Creating the “perfect” post-COVID-19 workplace solution is a daunting task. Using glass interior walls in a demountable design provides the flexibility to make changes at a reasonable cost. Demountable walls can be reusable and offer a sustainability benefit. By using demountable glass walls, your workplace can be updated more efficiently as the company gets additional clarity on what its future workspace requires.

Forward-Thinking Workplace Design

As more companies return to the office, commercial interior glass will play a role in how the updated workplace looks and feels. Glass not only provides visibility in a safe way, but it also allows outdoor visible light, which is important to the employee experience. Glass also makes the workplace feel more open and updated, and it can also be easily updated as requirements change.

Ready to Explore Your Options?

To learn more about how we can help integrate glass into your workplace, visit our website. We have numerous options and examples of ways to integrate glass to improve your team’s workplace experience. If you have inquiries or would like to know more about glass walls, visit Northwestern Glass Fab or give us a call at (763)-762-1750 with any questions you may have.

Learn more about how Northwestern Glass Fab can help you.

 

Additional Links & Resources

Harvard Business Review “What Makes an Office Healthy?”

The #1 Office Perk Natural Light, Harvard Business Review

Demountable Walls