Replies

1. 
   CapnMac | Dec 03, 2004 06:38pm | #1

   You mean like a cubicle partition, or just the divider between spaces (the difference being between 60" peices and 15" tall panes)?

   If you are making partitions, you likely need (may have to have) safety glass. 

   If it's just some dividers, you probably could just use tempered glass.  Note that tempered glass has to be drilled before tempering.

   Your best bet is to call the local glass suppliers and ask them what available/what they supply.  They might even have some scrap peices from previous orders you can get for a reasonable price.  They might not. 

   Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)
1. 
   marv | Dec 03, 2004 07:33pm | #2

   Cubicle partitions, 60" panels.You get out of life what you put into it......minus taxes.

   Marv

1. 
   CapnMac | Dec 03, 2004 10:09pm | #3

   Ok, yeah, you want safety glass, then. 

   But, it's also back to "check the local supplier," too--he may have some suitable material as an alternative (polycarbonate, or the like) at a better price.  When you talk to the glass people--and going to as many as possible is a good idea--see if they stock gasketing bead.  If you are making a wooden frame for the panels, you'll want a bead in the bottom, and the sides to keep the glass edges from digging into the wood.

   I'd be very inclined to building it just like a window sash, with a fixed bead and a removable bead strip.  I'd leave the screws obvious (colored to match background, yes--just not concealed) on the removable bead, if only to keep a future glazer from pulling out the wrong one.

   You'll want to consider the floor contact design very carefully.  A broad flat base will better carry the heavy glass--but will slide easily, too.  That could be either good or bad--or both.

   Having built office partitions myself, you really want to cearfully consider how the panels connect to each other, and to the "office" itself.  It's a real good idea to work out how just one panel will stand (otherwise, you get to figure it out with a half dozen during the install . . . )

   If this sounds negative, don't take it that way--I'm just sharing the "wrong" things I have learned--usually the hard way.Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)

2. 
   CapnMac | Dec 03, 2004 10:17pm | #4

   Hmm, just had a thought on design and materials.

   While you have the yellow pages out, check for greenhouse suppliers--the polycarbonate sandwich panels might be a trick item for your application.  (This, of course, depends on whether you have to pass the design by an AHJ, first.)

   Now, there is a design consideration for glass office partitions.  It sounds obvious, but the problem os that you can see through them.  So, you can see the unfinished backsides of furniture.  So you can see wire clutter on the back of a desk.  So you can see the space heaters and power strips on the floor.  So you can see all of the things that slipped over the back of the desk.  Those sorts of things.

   In a perfect world, a rail about 30" above the floor with an obscure glass might be ideal.  If the rail were wide enough to run plugmold along, that could even be better (in some applications).

   And, should anyone talk you into the translucent corrogated skylight panels, just go ahead and scribe the frame to the panel individually.  This is much easier than trying to get the #^$%& panels to fit the pre-routed wood.Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)

1. 
   marv | Dec 03, 2004 11:35pm | #5

   Thanks for the tips Mac.  I already have some panels up and the cubicles are open to the large office interior.  I would just like to close them off a little and make them more private for appointments.  I'll just fasten the panels I make to the existing cubicle walls.

   MarvYou get out of life what you put into it......minus taxes.

   Marv

2. 
   FastEddie1 | Dec 04, 2004 04:45am | #6

   You're slipping :

   If you are making partitions, you likely need (may have to have) safety glass. 

   If it's just some dividers, you probably could just use tempered glass.

   Tempered glass is safety glass.  There are two types of safety glass: tempered and laminated.  One of the big differences is that the laminated glass can be cut to size anytime, but the tempered has to be cut before tempering.  But you knew all that, right? 

   :)

    Whenever you are asked if you can do a job, tell'em "Certainly, I can!"  Then get busy and find out how to do it.  T. Roosevelt

1. 
   CapnMac | Dec 06, 2004 09:04pm | #7

   Tempered glass is safety glass.

   Slipping like a discount, once-used, over-the-border clutch, true enough.

   Just got through with a project where the AHJ wanted the plans to show tempered glass as just that, but all the laminated glass had to be labled as "safety."  Only as smart as the last project, I guess.Occupational hazard of my occupation not being around (sorry Bubba)