Affordable Accordion Door Alternatives
May 15th 2019
Most people know of accordion doors from seeing them in hotels, schools and churches. These partitions became popular throughout the 1980s by offering a way to create a temporary wall between two spaces. The panels collapse and expand (hence the "accordion" name) and run along a ceiling-mounted rail. They offer a convenient way to divide space without having a permanent wall. The problem is that installation of these track-mounted divider systems can be cumbersome and expensive. Anything attached to a ceiling is often covered by local building codes and associated fees. Many codes won't allow anything close to a sprinkler head, and others regulate HVAC circulation.
[caption id="attachment_1123" align="aligncenter" width="1000"] Track-mounted accordion doors simply don't provide the same value as Versare partition walls.[/caption]
With starting prices close to $1,000/foot (just for the accordion doors), expect a possible increase of $30,000 – $100,000 to move sprinklers, improve HVAC, or strengthen the ceiling. As you can see, cost becomes a big factor.
[caption id="attachment_1124" align="aligncenter" width="625"] The Operable Wall provides more benefits at a fraction of the price of a track-mounted partition system.[/caption]
A portable or wall-mounted room divider is not only more cost-effective, but can also be easily relocated, in case the room situation needs to change or a different arrangement is desired. Versare portable room dividers collapse quickly for easy storage, while build-in panel locks make transport a cinch. Versare wall-mounted partitions function similarly to accordion doors, but without the track mount. The space between the divider and the ceiling ensures proper air flow and ventilation while still providing the same amount of privacy. Our Operable Wall system uses special 2" thick panels, greatly reducing sound and increasing room privacy. With dozens of size, color, and panel material options, we offer something to fit just about any situation.