Q: What do I need to know when specifying interior walls?

A: Interior walls started out as simple, movable, floor-to-ceiling structures that could be rearranged in response to a company's churn. Their innovative flexibility corresponded with the revolutionary open plan office systems, but their purpose was more practical than aesthetic, with limited design options and few moving parts.

Today, the interior wall industry has morphed into a different animal. Its growth is booming with fierce competition among many players in the field. These walls are no longer merely functional and flexible—they have developed into artistic tools that help corporate clients reinforce their branding.

Interior designers need to stay on top of all the options that come with specifying these products. Take time to work with wall reps to study all of the designs, materials, and functions available. Then, hone your manufacturers to a workable few. Also, make sure you have an interactive study on the subject with your facilities managers. Are they clear about how they want to use these walls? Do they want something purely visual, or movable, or both? Do they want them to appear nondescript or outstanding? Conservative or edgy? Thick or thin? How do they want them connected and framed? Do they want doors? And what materials do they prefer? The choices are numerous. At the very least, glass can be clear, artistic, etched, sandblasted, or slumped; resins can be colored or textured; and paints can be flat, stippled, or metallic. If you scrutinize every detail, you can guarantee a clean and successful installation.

Resources Q&A is provided by Katherine Day Sutton, a member of the Resource Directors Association (RDA)