Firstly let’s be clear about what we classify an office screen to be. Screens are panels used to divide areas within the office or desk mounted to separate one desk from another and should not be confused with partitions which are floor to ceiling walls used to create offices. The grey area is where screens are used to create rooms but we shall come back to that a little later.

At their most basic level office screens are simple fabric wrapped panels that can either be free standing or linked together. They may have height adjusters at the bottom but will generally stand on T shape feet and the linking strips will be a crude plastic extrusion. Similarly the desk mounted versions will be rectangular or curved panels with a plastic extrusion around the edge.

As with all things it is important to be clear about what you want to achieve by installing screens. Apart from the obvious aesthetic differences between products there are real technical differences that are far more important. Many clients buy screens in the mistaken belief that they will cut down noise in the office but unless you are buying a screen with true acoustic properties the difference will be negligible.

For a higher quality finish and look we would suggest an aluminium frame screen which has a number of benefits over the basic panels. The aluminium end posts allow for a better linking mechanism either by brackets or an additional linking post and particularly where screens are used in open areas this leads to a much sturdier installation. If glazing is required it is better to use an aluminium framed system as again a much stronger screen can be produced. In addition we can add cable management systems at either skirting or desk height which can impact on the type of desking required.

As with floor standing screens, desk mounted screens are available in a wide range of fabrics, laminates, wood veneers and acrylic or glass and also create the opportunity to reduce desk clutter by using toolbars. The toolbar is fitted both as an integral part of the screen structure or surface mounted and can be used to carry a range of accessories such as filing trays or pencil holders that would normally sit on the desk. Computer monitors can be fitted to toolbars using monitor arms that can either be a simple bracket or articulated arm and this further reduces desk clutter by lifting the monitor off the desk.

The humble office screen has come a long way in recent years and new materials have allowed the introduction of true acoustic screens. Through the use of a product called Lamaphon we can produce desk mounted or floor standing screens that can absorb 75% - 90% of the sound that hits them and used properly can have a dramatic impact in noisy office environments. This type of product is particularly suited to use in large open plan offices such as call centres but does require the input of a specialist to ensure the maximum benefit is achieved. Installations can include a mixture of desk mounted and floor standing screens along with wall panels, cupboard backs and even notice boards. By using screen printing techniques manufacturers can turn the panels in pictures, company logos or works of art.

Screens can also be used to create offices and this is often where the confusion between screens and partitions starts. Some buildings will have restrictions that prevent traditional partitions being used but there is still the need to create offices or meeting spaces. Systems such as our 5.1 and 5.2 screens can be built up to 2.4m high and can include double glazed units and doors. They won’t go right to the ceiling but will be the closest to an office without fixing to the building. By using the Lamaphon acoustic foam a high degree of privacy can be achieved.