Folding Partition Walls Guide

Adding a folding wall system to your home or place of business has been a popular design practice for decades. In years past, a simple folding wall divider could be used to create an impromptu dressing area. The same holds true today, but the technology and availability of different products have greatly improved. Now, you can choose from different kinds of folding partition walls based on the unique needs of your space, your budget, and even your aesthetic preferences.

But if this is your first time considering a folding partition wall for your home or business, you probably have a lot of important questions. For instance, what types of folding partition walls are available? How do these products differ from one another? Which folding walls are the most budget-friendly? Can folding partition walls add semi-permanent divisions to a room? Finally, where can you find high-quality retractable walls at affordable prices?

In today’s guide, we will answer all of these questions and more. So let’s get started!

Types Of Folding Partition Walls

There’s a lot of debate over what counts as a folding partition wall and what doesn’t. The word “folding” often throws people off, as many assume that the partition must be folded by hand. However, the fact is that there are many different ways that a partition can be folded, retracted, or otherwise made smaller and more compact when it is not needed. In any case, we’re going to take a closer look at all of the most common types of folding partition walls and discuss how they differ from one another:

Movable Folding Privacy Dividers

Movable folding privacy dividers are the kind of partitions that have been around for centuries. They are often made of 3 to 6 vertical panels that are connected by hinges or similar designs that allow them to be folded. You can easily pick these dividers up and move them around, as they are often made of light materials like wood or plastic.

When you’re ready to use a movable folding privacy divider, you simply unfold each panel and place it where it’s needed. You may need to be careful in how you position each panel, as you can’t simply have these kinds of dividers standing in a straight line. Instead, the divide between each panel must create an angle (often around 90 to 120 degrees) so that the divider doesn’t fall over.

The main benefit of a movable folding privacy divider is the price. You can often find these dividers online for anywhere between $40 and $200. But you also get what you pay for. These dividers offer virtually no privacy and absolutely no sound dampening. They are more often an aesthetic choice, as opposed to a practical one. Plus, the cheap materials usually make these a short-term solution, since they are more likely to break or deteriorate with regular use.

Folding Wall Panels

Folding wall panels are essentially more substantial variations of the old-school privacy dividers. These panels come in many different designs. Some are meant to be fixed to a specific place using a track system, while others have wheels so that they can easily be moved from one room to the next. These panels are distinctive insofar as the individual panels themselves are generally larger and thicker. Additionally, the design often allows for a folding wall panel to stand up in a straight line, without the need to have angled panels.

Folding wall panels tend to be a bit more expensive, but the price can vary greatly based on the size, brand, and materials. These panel walls are often best for visual privacy, as the materials used are unlikely to cast shadows or allow for any visibility between distinct spaces. However, they will not offer complete privacy, as sound will easily travel through them.

Accordion Folding Walls

An accordion folding wall, sometimes known as a concertina wall, is a type of folding wall made of malleable fabric or plastic. You might have seen these walls in hospitals or office buildings, as they make it easy to quickly open up or shut off a particular area. Unlike folding wall panels, concertina walls are almost always built onto a fixed track.

Accordion folding walls also tend to be more expensive, as they need to be installed. They also can’t be adapted to fit into every kind of space. Like the options we’ve already covered, accordion folding walls are not soundproof, which means you only get partial privacy. But what’s most disappointing about accordion folding walls is that they simply aren’t that nice to look at.

Retractable Wall Partitions

Retractable wall partitions are flat room dividers that are fixed to a track. They are typically extended or contracted into the ceiling by being rolled up, often with just the click of a button. The features of a retractable wall partition can vary a lot by the provider. Some partitions are soundproof, while others only offer partial sound-dampening. In any case, retractable wall partitions are often considered the best option among folding walls, as they provide maximum privacy and are about as close as you can get to adding a permanent wall to your home or business without needing to call in a construction crew.

Why Retractable Wall Partitions Are So Popular

Retractable wall partitions are popular because they take the best from both worlds. A temporary room divider is meant to be easy, convenient, and (hopefully) aesthetically pleasing, while permanent drywall is meant to be a strong addition that greatly enhances privacy and reduces sound penetration. Retractable wall partitions take from both of these categories, offering pleasant temporary walls that provide the same degree of privacy and sound reduction as permanent wall fixtures. This makes them one of the best options if you want more flexible space optimization, acoustic control, and cost-efficiency.

Types Of Retractable Wall Partitions

Retractable wall partitions can come in all shapes and sizes. In many cases, you can even get a customized partition to fit a particular space. This makes these types of partitions far more suitable for distinct rooms or hallways that don’t allow for prefabricated room dividers.

And if you’re looking for quality, you can’t go wrong with the retractable wall partitions available at Tudelü. Currently, we offer three different types of retractable wall partitions:

• Closure - Our Closure motorized model offers standard room division and privacy, with single-side finishing and sealed borders for reduced sound penetration and enhanced stability. The Closure partition is often best for standard space optimization and flexibility, with the added bonus of privacy and beautiful aesthetics.
• Private - Our Private motorized wall partition is made of 4-inch thick vinyl that creates a 36 STC sound barrier. To put that into perspective, standard drywall typically has a 33 STC rating, making the Private wall an even better option for minimizing noise penetration.
• Mute - Lastly, our Mute motorized wall partition is a triple-layer vinyl barrier that recreates the look and feel of an elegant yet permanent wall. Plus, as a 48 STC sound barrier, you will get unmatched soundproofing on either side of the Mute partition.

We hope you enjoyed our guide on folding partition walls! Are you looking for a high-quality partition wall to put in your home or place of business? If so, be sure to reach out to Tudelü today!