The flexibility of internal glazing

Ben Brocklesby, director at Origin, discusses the growing trend for internal glazing, what is driving demand, and a new product on the market.

Every facet of homeowner’s lives changed dramatically over the course of two years during the pandemic. Some of that change is here to stay, including how we value our space and view our homes.

The open plan living trend first became popular back in the 1970s when walls were knocked down to create large communal spaces for whole families to interact without boundaries. However, months of working and schooling from home showed this is no longer a practical solution for modern living. As work and play crashed into each other, many found it difficult to separate their lives or avoid distraction.

Now, there is a growing trend for families to create separate ‘zones’ in the home to compartmentalise their living space, but they don’t want their homes to feel closed off and dark. Internal glazing provides a similar barrier as a nib wall, but with the light of a glass screen, creating a bright, yet organised feel in a home.

Internal glazing can come in the form of doors or screens and is a great way to divide up the footprint of a home without cutting off natural light. It allows offices or playrooms to be separated from living and kitchen spaces easily. Versions with frosted or reeded glass can also be used in utility and bathroom environments, so it’s adaptable for all areas of a home. They can also work in commercial spaces, dividing offices up to create an organised, yet open working space. There is a solution to fit any style and size of property, maximising light wherever possible.

Helping homeowners choose internal glazing can seem like a minefield with so many styles on offer. A popular option is the steel look, although this can also be achieved using aluminium which carries a lower cost, without losing out on the aesthetic.

PVC-U and wooden options, including oak and walnut, are available, but are not as strong to withstand the treatment that internal doors receive. They also don’t offer the same industrial aesthetic that is so popular with homeowners right now. Any style of internal door can come with a glass section or grids which adds a low amount of light, or a fully glazed door within a frame. This means that the homeowner can choose any style or material that best fits their home.

With the desire for internal glazing continuing to gather momentum, we launched the OI-30 internal door, our first ever internal product. With this new addition, we have quickly become a one stop shop for all windows and doors, both internally and externally. Our partners can specify a whole house using only Origin products, reaffirming our position as a leading manufacturer.

Our steel-look doors are made from aluminium, meaning they are not only an affordable option, but they still maintain the Origin quality we have become synonymous with. These internal doors can be specified in fixed, single, corner, or French configurations, making them a perfect fit for any home. Options are further widened by the range of fittings available, including hinges which help establish continuity between external and internal doors. A wide choice in handles offers increased flexibility, creating a more heritage or modern look, depending on the homeowners’ wants.

There are countless possibilities when advising on internal doors. As more and more people look to update their homes, finding the right option for them must remain the goal.