Workplace Curtains

NOT SO GREAT

Companies often boast that open work spaces allow for open communication and collaboration among team members but recent studies show it does just the opposite. An article recently published in Forbes states that, "31% of employees in open offices say they hold back their true thoughts and opinions while on calls in the office because they don’t want co-workers to hear and judge them." It also shares "1 in 8 (13%) of open office workers in the U.S. feel that their company’s office layout has pushed them to consider leaving their job and feel resentful towards more senior staff with private offices." Also, 1 in 3 workers feel distractions and noise from open work spaces hinder their productivity, while 1 in 6 say it hinders creativity as well. These are staggering statistics. So if your company office is an open work space, what are you to do?

BUILD A WALL

Constructing walls to create individual offices may not be realistic, or even within budget. But a simple solution to create private areas in an open office space is to install curtain tracks and eclipse curtains to create curtain "walls". Eclipse curtains help absorb sound so these curtain walls can be used to create smaller "phone booth" spaces so employees can speak with clients or customers and not feel like their conversation is being overheard by the entire office. Curtain walls can also be used to create conference rooms or huddle spaces. The beauty of creating these walls is when there is a need for an all-office meeting, simply pull the curtain walls back and open up the entire office space again.

EVERYTHING YOU NEED

Creating curtain walls may just be the answer your employees are looking for and Curtain-Tracks can help! We have the largest selection of online curtain tracks, hardware, accessories and curtains and our friendly customer service team will hep you through the entire project.

WIDE OPEN SPACES

Open office spaces were once thought to be the best thing since sliced bread. They allowed for improved social interaction, collaboration and increased productivity. Inc.com recently published an article discussing this short lived trend and how "people are still people and like most people you and your employees probably wouldn't mind a little time away from...well...other people." But if your work space is wide open and you aren't willing to move your team to a new office or you have another five years on a lease, what are you to do to keep your employees happy?

SMALL SPACES, BIG IMPACT

Creating a private space or two in an open office environment will allow employees to take a much needed break, if needed, from others. One idea is to create a quiet room and if adding walls to your office environment isn't feasible, the 3120 Extra Heavy Duty Curtain Track can be your solution. Available in silver or black anodized aluminum, it has a thicker top wall for added support. Add 7140 Double Wheel or 7146 Short Snap Carriers, sound absorbing curtains, a couple extra comfy chairs to the space, and you have created an area where members of your team can take a quick break. This same concept works if you are looking to create a small meeting space.

THE SKY'S THE LIMIT

Don't be frustrated with your office space. There are many options when it comes to creating an environment that allows for team work but also permits private spaces. Our team is here to help. For more ideas for your workplace, check out these blog posts.

AS SEEN ON TV

Shows such as Counting Cars on the History Channel and Fast and Loud on Discovery “trick out” cars with extravagant accessories (think large spoilers, eleaborate rims on the tires) and paint jobs that catch your eye. These shops that are featured on tv often have large, open spaces giving them plenty of room to perfect their car craft. But for body shops across the rest of America, the space may not be as large. When this is the case, our industrial track is perfect as it can enclose a space, which is especially useful when painting a car. This track is a strong, heavy duty track that can hold industrial strength curtains. When closed, a car can be painted safely without harming nearby cars.

SUPER, DUPER STRONG

This heavy-duty Industrial Roller Track - 16 Gauge Galvanized Steel is roll formed from 16 gauge hot dipped galvanized steel, sold in 8-foot lengths and rated to support loads between 100 - 175 pounds. Now, that's strong! The Industrial Roller Track is popular for many reasons including its compatibility with a wide range of mounting hardware, curved sections, trolleys, splicers, and end stops. The track is constructed with a safety flange to assist in guiding trolleys safely when the curtain is pulled and is punched and beveled on ends for splicing and adjoining multiple pieces. Mounting options include flush ceiling mount, chain mount, beam flange mount, wall mount, or threaded rod mount.

CAR WASHES AND MORE

This track is not only found in autobody shops, you will also see them in warehouses, loading docks, welding areas, aircraft hangars and even in commercial car washes. This track is that good! You can find more information on this extra strong track here or give us a call (888) 434-7444!

OPEN SESAME

We've recently read a few articles discussing the many downfalls of open office spaces. A recent article in The Journal Times shares, "Across America, companies have torn down walls, built big open spaces, and designed work environments to make it easier than ever for staff members to talk. But what's been the effect of all of these open spaces? A series of new studies suggest that open workspaces aren't all they're cracked up to be. In fact, opening up offices may actually have the effect of decreasing communication and hurting productivity rather than helping it." What this article, and several other we have read, is trying to say is this kind of environment actually decreases face-to-face communication. But if you have an open office space, what are you to do? Start building walls? This can be time consuming and expensive. However, there is a solution that allows you to break up an office space when needed or open it up for large meetings: curtain walls.

DIVIDE AND CONQUER

Curtain walls can divide a space into smaller offices and conference rooms for brainstorming sessions and we have everything you need! The 6200 Heavy Duty I Beam is a strong track that can be mounted to the ceiling or the wall with the appropriate brackets and can divide the room beautifully. The 6100 F6100 Flexible Track on the other hand, is great for creating a few cubicles. Adding Eclipse Light Blocking Curtains to the curtain tracks will help also absorb sound so larger meetings don't disrupt others working at their desks.

SURPRISE!

Imagine doing this project over a weekend and having your team walk in on Monday. Do you think they would love it? If this is a project you are considering for your office space, contact our Customer Service team at 1-888-465-0274 and we can help you.

Photo: Pinterest

OPEN AND LOUD

There has been a push in recent years for “open workspaces” in the corporate world. This type of workspace puts lots of employees in one large room with little, if anything, to separate each employee from the next; much like a 1960s newsroom, minus the clacking typewriters. The idea is that this environment will encourage collaboration and allow the company to be more creative and productive. A recent New Yorker blog highlights some research that indicates the reality is quite different. Open workspaces are noisy and privacy is lacking. These conditions lead to distracted, less productive, less satisfied employees. Health may even be affected as workers in an open workspace tend to take more sick days than those in an individual office.