To accommodate changes in how we work, commercial designers and business owners often add more glass to office layouts to bring in more light and a sense of openness. One of the tactics used to accomplish this is to install glass doors and office doors with glass windows. In these situations, shades, blinds, curtains, or other coverings can be used on door windows to enhance privacy, mask noise, limit direct sunlight, and add an aesthetic touch to an office.
Looking to upgrade your office with new office doors, but wanting to find ways to keep the windows covered? Let’s dive in!
Issues With Glass in Doors
The purpose of a door is to restrict access. Glass doors–and doors with glass built into them–are meant to accomplish this goal while mitigating the sense of being closed off from others. Yet, by doing so, they present certain challenges.
For one, while glass in doors may look great, enhance engagement and collaboration, and allow the person inside to survey what is going on around them, people outside the room can still see in.
Those inside the room don’t always want to feel like they are on display, and happenings on either side of a window can be distracting. For example, if you need to put 150% of your attention on a particular task for an extended period, you don’t want others peeking in the window to see if they can have a moment of your time.
How Door Window Covers Can Help
Covering a window in an office door with a shade, curtain, blind, or other window covering can help:
- Increase the privacy of those on either side
- Reduce noise
- Protect against the sun that can make a working environment uncomfortable
- Control the amount of natural light that seeps into a room, such as during a presentation
- Add color, texture, and personality
Finding the Right Window Covering
Do you want to block all of the sunlight, or just some of it? What is your budget? How do window coverings align with the aesthetics of the overall space?
Shades and Blinds
Shades and blinds can be installed horizontally or vertically and come in a variety of materials and colors. For shades, you have the option of simple roller, elegant Roman, or sleek honeycomb shades.
These are a good choice if you want to completely block a window and can also be found in all price points. If you have a panel of sliding glass doors, you may want to go with vertical blinds that are adjustable and move with the door.
Privacy Films
Applied directly to glass, films are easy to install and come in a wide variety of finishes and colors. You can also have custom films made with elements of your logo or branding. Some have one-way visibility so you can see out of but not into a room.
Curtains
For windows of interior doors, a sheer fabric can improve privacy and still let in natural light. Curtains can also cover large panels of glass and be held back with ties or decorative hooks.
Heavy fabrics may not be appropriate because they can drag or snag when doors open and shut, although they may be useful.
Design Considerations
Choosing a method of covering windows in office doors requires close attention to the door dimensions and the number of doors in your office building. Choose a color or pattern that complements the office aesthetic, and make sure the window covering looks good from both sides of the door.
Contact 27estore today to discuss your ideas on how to cover a window in an office door when the need arises. Wondering if office doors need insulation? Don’t miss our latest post!
