The Choice is Clear: Glass Makes a Dramatic Office Appearance Thanks to Innovative Hardware

The days of intimidating paneled boardrooms, opaque, studded walls and wooden doors could be numbered; glass is catching on in the workplace faster than ever. Glass adds sophisticated architectural appeal unrivaled by other materials. Additionally, glass remedies the 'bomb shelter' syndrome in offices by allowing natural light in, creating a bright, productive space conducive to modern work styles.

Popular in Europe, glass in the workplace has crossed the Atlantic to the United States. The glass trend has been partially fueled by the availability and affordability of textured glass products, which provide privacy but still delivery the benefits of traditional glass. A few years ago, textured glass had to come from a manufacturer piece by piece from a kiln. In contrast with kiln pieces, textured glass is available in over 100 standard patterns at 75 percent less cost.

Architects are demanding functional commercial-grade hardware that doesn't compromise the aesthetics of the glass. Whether the office houses six people or 600, there are a number of hardware options from DORMA Glas to consider:

The ARCOS line of hardware for tempered glass doors features flowing lines and elegant design to offer architects and designers an exquisite complement between metal hardware and tempered glass doors. The gentle curvature in the ARCOS line delivers an eye-catching element that complements the glass rather than detracting from it. Each ARCOS component shares the same radius. The result is a clean, stylish, tasteful appearance.

Stainless steel fixtures and components give Manet Compact system glass doors a clean, modern look. Designed for use on tempered glass doors, the Manet Compact system offers a variety of sleek-looking components that enable smooth sliding and pivoting action. Components that attach directly to the glass surface feature strong, flush-fitting single-point fittings that deliver a tasteful, uncluttered appearance.

The Double-Acting Hinge, part of the ARCOS line, offers self-closing fitting options to eliminate the requirement of hydraulic closing mechanisms. This helps to maintain the elegance and beauty of glass while ensuring reliable door control.

Safety is often a concern in glass office applications, especially in medical offices. As a result, anti-pinch glass doors are becoming more prevalent. The BEYOND system locates the pivot point of the glass door at the glass edge, thus eliminating the nip hazard. The system is not only safe, but also offers a striking, attractive, modern design. It is the smallest radiused mechanism of its kind in the glass market.

For more information contact DORMA Glas at 1-800-451-0649 or visit www.dorma.com/usa.

Comprising DORMA Architectural Hardware, DORMA Automatics, DORMA Glas, DORMA Canada, DORMA Mexico, Crane Revolving Doors(TM), Carolina Door Controls, Inc., and Modernfold, DORMA Group North America manufactures and markets a wide range of products for the architectural openings industry æ with a particular focus on commercial and institutional openings. DORMA Group North America is part of The DORMA Group worldwide, the world's largest manufacturer of door controls.