Glass systems specialist bets high on innovation

Standing still is going backwards. This expression is absolutely applicable to Interior Glassolutions B.V. The Veenendaal-based specialist in glass systems for interior applications is continuously innovating its products, paying attention to health & air quality, ample daylight penetration, optimal smoke resistance as well as thermal & acoustic comfort. Efforts that have led to numerous interesting new products....

Working in an open-plan office apparently has many advantages: maximum daylight flows in, employees can easily and quickly make contact with colleagues and square meters are optimally utilized. Yet there is also a downside, Roelofsen knows. "In an open-plan office there is often (too) much noise. For example, research by PanelWizard among 1,000 respondents shows that two-thirds (!) of employees in an open-plan office are distracted by ambient noise several times a day. Especially calling (75%) and talking colleagues (72%), ringing phones (66%) and noise from playing videos (54%) are experienced as very distracting. The consequences are difficulty concentrating (51%), feeling restless (34%) and fatigue (27%). Not for nothing do we see that more and more concentration workstations with glass walls and doors are being chosen. Our glass systems match this perfectly. Thanks to our all-glass walls and doors, daylight, optimal sightlines and mutual interaction are maintained at all times, while noise pollution is no longer an issue. This is how we contribute to a nice and comfortable workplace."

Single glass frame door with 38 dB sound insulation

An absolute first from Interior Glassolutions B.V. in this context is the slim and slender frame door with double sealing, which allows for sound insulation (Rw value) of as much as 38 dB. "Only one type of glass is possible in most frame doors," Roelofsen knows. "In many cases this is 'simple' glass of 6.76 mm (33.2), which ensures optimal daylight penetration and sightlines. For acoustic insulation, however, this thickness is not sufficient. Our latest frame door provides an effective and aesthetically pleasing solution for this." Multiple glass thicknesses can be included in the SYSTEMS SILENCE DOOR KD1738, from 6.76 mm (33.2) to 16.76 mm (88.2), he says. "In the latter case, sound insulation of 38 dB is guaranteed. A unique performance for frame doors with single glazing, which was also demonstrated last summer in Peutz's independent acoustic laboratory. Thanks to this development, sound insulation is within reach for every project and every wallet."

Slender and slender

Another striking feature of the SYSTEMS SILENCE DOOR KD1738 is its slim and slender design. "We have incorporated the narrowest lock in the frame door," said Roelofsen. "The new frame door was initially developed for a government office, but is being rolled out widely in the market. We expect many requests for office and conference rooms, as well as for hospitals and other buildings where specific noise requirements apply."

Flush doors with sound insulation up to 50 dB

Also unique are Interior Glassolutions B.V.'s all-glass flush doors, which demonstrably enable sound isolations of 43, 46 and 50 dB, as evidenced again by various sound tests at Peutz. "The SYSTEMS SILENCE DOOR PC5000F flush doors of 50 dB were initially developed for the new Booking.com building in Amsterdam, in cooperation with UNStudio, where they are combined with 56 and 60 dB glass walls," says Roelofsen. "This puts us at the maximum of what is currently technically feasible. And we are enormously proud of that!"

Great decorative freedom

Both flush doors and frame doors can be combined with electric locks, making it easy to grant authorizations. "And also decoratively, architects and end users can do anything with it," Roelofsen said. "Because the glazing is safely enclosed, numerous types of glass are possible. Moreover, color can be played with. The frames can be supplied in any color."

Optimal smoke resistance in accordance with Sa and S200

A third interesting innovation relates to smoke resistance. "Because not the fire itself, but additional smoke development is the number one cause of death in fire, new requirements for smoke spread and fire and escape safety have applied since July 1, 2021," Roelofsen knows. "Meanwhile, we have tested various glass systems in accordance with the European Sa and S200 classifications, with which we also demonstrably meet the latest requirements in this area."