There has been a transformation in office workspace design over the past decade or so. Smaller workforces have resulted in smaller offices. But the traditional walled, closed offices have mostly disappeared. Open cubicles have been around for years. But the walled offices have given way to glass partitions. And walled conference rooms have been replaced by glass conference rooms.

These glass offices and conferences rooms have benefitted the workplace in a number of ways. The openness of the glass gives the appearance of a larger, more open space. The aesthetic look of an open workspace with glass offices and conference rooms is a huge upgrade from walled off space. Employees benefit as well working in a psychologically appealing atmosphere.

Another benefit of the glass walls is how it allows the spread of natural light throughout the office space, which brightens darkened rooms.

But as pleasing as glass partitions can be the emergence of decorative window films, also known as privacy films, have added an entirely new dimension to their look and appeal. These films, which come in all types of patterns and colors, not only enhance the beauty of the glass but provide some privacy as well.  Groups of employees can work in a conference room with a sense of freedom from the unobtrusive boundaries decorative film provides.

There are various types of decorative/privacy films. They include:

• Frosted: Versatile frosted films come in a variety of styles, from modern to historic.
• Gradient: These films feature gradual transitions from transparent to opaque. They offer an open feel to the workspace yet disguise cluttered offices and conference rooms and have a privacy component as well.
• Pattern: These films feature a variety of often bold patterns and geometric shapes. They are more design-oriented and often are used to develop a branding style for a business and its workspace.
• Texture: Classic designs with a sense of elegance through the light-refracting sparkle of designer textured glass, is the hallmark of these films.
• Specialty: These films are designed to mask light or add a vivid shot of translucent color. As a result, they make a bold statement a company’s style and design brand.
• Custom: Any company can design their own style of decorative films and have them produced by a film manufacturer.

Commercial Window Shield has been at the forefront of the decorative film trend. Over the past few years the company has completed a number of high-profile privacy film installation projects.

HITT, one of the country’s largest contractors, hired Commercial Window Shield to install solar security film on 45,000 sq. ft. of glass in a 15-story building housing the U.S. Marshals Service. Additionally, CWS was asked to install decorative film on all the glass conference rooms in the building. HITT was charged with renovating the building for the Marshals Service, a new tenant.

For the U.S. Department of Justice in Washington, D.C., Commercial Window Shield installed Decolite Winter Morning decorative film to the assistant attorney general’s office at DOJ’s headquarters. After the previous vendor bowed out of the project at the last minute, CWS was called because the company had completed two previous successful privacy film installation projects for DOJ. Although CWS stepped in late, the company was able to meet the original tight deadline and received high marks from the DOJ facilities support manager.

Commercial Window Shield expects the trend in decorative/privacy film installation to increase as companies move to improve their workspace designs and layouts, providing a better atmosphere and work environment for their employees.