Acoustic Innovation in Glass Door Design | Optima

We invest a lot of time and expertise in acoustic research and development. We’re particularly focused on trying to overcome the perennial problem associated with the negative impact that doors have on the acoustic performance of glass partitioning.

Glass Doors – Poor Performers?

Doors have traditionally been the Achilles’ heel in any glass partition’s acoustic performance, based on the fact that it’s always been so difficult to effectively seal a closed door.

From this stemmed an industry-wide perception that glass doors are particularly poor performers where acoustics are concerned. Many of our clients – lawyers being a good example – require high levels of acoustic performance due to the confidential nature of their work. Previously, the only way to achieve really high levels of acoustics through doors was by installing bespoke, high acoustic timber door sets.

We wanted to open up design possibilities by creating glass doors that could offer the same acoustic performance as timber door sets. That’s been the driving force behind our research and development.

Giant Steps Forward 

Our huge advances in door sealing technology have allowed us to do just that; placing us on the cutting edge and enabling us to offer glass doors that can hold their own against bespoke, timber door sets.

Our Elite Series of glass doors, designed exclusively for use within our Revolution 100 double glazed system, can achieve an acoustic performance that is on a par with bespoke acoustic timber door sets, as standard. As they let light in, the Elite Series also has the added benefit of being able to maintain an airy feel within any environment, whereas timber door sets block light out.

Beautifully crafted, the Elite Series combines performance with aesthetics, complementing our Revolution 100 high acoustic, double glazed partitioning system perfectly. Our Elite Symmetry and Elite Affinity double glazed doors are double rebated with two door frame seals – and additionally, feature door edge seals on all four edges.

In tests, Elite Symmetry has achieved an impressive Rw43dB as a fully operable door set, and when used as part of the Revolution 100 system, the results are outstanding, achieving a composite value of Rw47dB within a Revolution 100 office front.

Elite Affinity takes things to another level, achieving an incredible Rw45dB as a fully operable door set, with a composite value of Rw49dB when factored into a Revolution 100 office front.

In addition to the Elite range of glass doors, Optima can offer a number of framed acoustic glass doors that are compatible with our complete range of glass partitioning systems. Take our Edge Series for example: sleek and elegant in design and fully tested in a UKAS accredited laboratory to achieve a maximum acoustic rating of Rw42dB.

If you are designing a working environment where space is restricted then our Kinetic sliding glass doors provide the perfect solution, without having to compromise on acoustic performance, Our commitment to product development and innovation in door sealing technology has enabled us to offer an impressive Rw36dB with our Kinetic Align system. 

Innovative Design

With such an extensive range of fully tested glass doors that can hold their own against bespoke, acoustic timber door sets, Optima is pushing the boundaries of glass door design.

The advancements that we’ve made have earned us a strong reputation both nationally and internationally. We’re proud to be known and trusted as a company that truly understands the needs of modern offices, not least those for which privacy and confidentiality are the cornerstone of their operation. 

To get a more in-depth look at acoustics, testing and our research, we invite you to read Expert Opinion: Acoustic Privacy.