Office Partition Wall FAQ: Demountable Walls, Glass Partitions, Acoustics, and Cost in Canada

Office partition wall costs in Canada vary significantly by system type. As a general market estimate (not a quote): basic solid demountable wall systems typically range from $80-$150 per square foot installed; glass partition systems range from $150-$350+ per square foot depending on glazing specification, frame finish, and acoustic performance requirements. Factors that drive cost up: floor-to-ceiling height, acoustic performance specification (higher STC/Rw = more cost), frameless glass vs framed, integrated technology (power, data raceways), and project complexity. Factors that reduce cost: modular systems that reuse components across reconfigurations, single-contractor delivery (Design+Build), and phased installation. These are market estimates. Contact Selectta for a project-specific budget range based on your space and specification requirements. Design+Build (/design-build) project-specific budget range(/contact)

Yes, demountable modular wall systems typically have a higher upfront installation cost than drywall - generally 30-70% more depending on specification. The economic case reverses over the building lifecycle. Drywall is demolished and rebuilt each time a layout changes. A modular system is reconfigured. A single reconfiguration of a drywall office typically costs $15,000-$50,000+ in demolition, trades, and rebuild. A modular system reconfiguration costs a fraction of that and generates no construction waste. For organizations on long leases (5+ years) or in growth/restructuring cycles, the total cost of ownership over 7-10 years frequently favors the modular system. demountable modular wall systems(/solid-partition-walls)

The five primary cost drivers in a commercial office fit-out are: (1) scope definition - incomplete or late-changing scopes are the single largest source of cost overruns; (2) wall system type - glass, solid, acoustic, or mixed; (3) acoustic specification - higher performance ratings require more engineered components; (4) building condition - existing mechanical, electrical, and structural constraints add cost; (5) delivery model - fragmented design-bid-build contracts typically cost 15-25% more than integrated Design+Build delivery due to coordination gaps and change orders. Leasehold improvement (TI) allowances from landlords in Canadian commercial leases typically range from $50-$150 per square foot depending on market and lease term. This offsets but rarely covers full fit-out cost for a premium specification. Design+Build delivery(/design-build)

STC (Sound Transmission Class) is the standard North American measurement of how much airborne sound a wall assembly reduces between spaces. It is measured in decibels - the higher the number, the more sound is blocked. For office environments: STC 35-40 provides minimal privacy (voices audible but not intelligible); STC 40-50 provides speech privacy for most office conversations; STC 50+ is required for boardrooms, HR offices, legal, and executive spaces where confidentiality is critical. STC is the dominant acoustic specification metric in North American construction standards (ASTM E413). European-manufactured systems like feco are typically rated using Rw, which is a comparable but not identical metric. Always confirm which standard applies to the specification you are reviewing. feco(/acoustic-partition-walls)

STC (Sound Transmission Class) is the North American standard (ASTM E413). Rw (Weighted Sound Reduction Index) is the equivalent European/ISO standard (ISO 717-1). Both measure airborne sound insulation, but they use different test procedures and frequency weightings. In practice, Rw values are generally close to STC values for the same assembly - typically within 1-3 points - but they are not directly interchangeable for specification purposes. feco partition systems are certified using Rw ratings from German acoustic test laboratories. Selectta can provide the corresponding STC equivalent estimates for Canadian specification documents. When specifying for a Canadian building permit or LEED documentation, confirm with your acoustic consultant which standard is required. acoustic-rating(/acoustic-partition-walls)

Yes - when properly specified and installed. The common assumption that glass walls are acoustically poor is based on low-specification frameless glass systems with inadequate sealing, not on engineered glass partition systems. High-performance glass office partitions using laminated acoustic glazing with precision-engineered frame seals can achieve STC/Rw ratings of 38-52 depending on configuration. feco glass systems reach up to approximately 52 dB Rw,P in tested configurations. The weakest point in any glass wall system is not the glass - it is the perimeter seals at floor, ceiling, and vertical connections. Engineered systems address this through factory-precision components. Site-built systems frequently leak sound at these junctions regardless of glass specification. glass office partitions(/glass-partition-walls) feco glass systems(/acoustic-partition-walls)

As a general guideline: private offices where speech confidentiality is required should target STC 45 minimum; boardrooms, HR offices, and legal spaces should target STC 50+; highly confidential environments (C-suite, medical, financial advisory) should target STC 55+. The National Building Code of Canada (NBC) sets minimum requirements for certain occupancy types but does not mandate specific STC values for general office use. Acoustic consultants and workplace designers typically recommend exceeding code minimums for environments where productivity and confidentiality are business-critical. Selectta can provide system configurations with acoustic test data matched to your specific STC or Rw target. boardrooms, HR offices(/glass-partition-walls-fecofix)

Three approaches work in combination: acoustic partition walls to create defined zones (the most effective, addresses transmission at the source); acoustic ceiling treatment to reduce reflections; and sound masking systems to raise the ambient noise floor so conversations become less intelligible at a distance. Acoustic pods and phone booths provide individual focus or call privacy but do not address the open floor plate noise problem - they relocate individuals rather than controlling sound transmission across the space. For open-plan offices with significant acoustic problems, the most cost-effective long-term solution is typically to add a partial or full partition system that creates defined acoustic zones rather than continuing to apply surface treatments. acoustic partition walls(/acoustic-partition-walls-wood)

Demountable walls are prefabricated, modular partition systems that can be installed, disassembled, and reinstalled without demolition. Unlike drywall, which is a permanent construction material that must be cut out and disposed of when removed, demountable walls are engineered products assembled from reusable components. In commercial office environments, demountable walls are used to divide open floor plates into private offices, meeting rooms, acoustic zones, and collaborative spaces. Key characteristics: dry installation (no wet trades, no curing time), reconfigurable layouts, recoverable asset value, and significantly reduced construction waste compared to drywall. The terms 'demountable walls', 'movable walls', 'modular walls', and 'operable partitions' are sometimes used interchangeably but refer to different product categories with different performance profiles. Demountable systems are floor-to-ceiling fixed partitions designed to look and perform like permanent walls, with the operational flexibility of a temporary system. demountable walls(/solid-partition-walls)

Drywall (gypsum board on metal stud framing) is a site-built, permanent construction method. Once installed, it requires demolition to change - generating construction waste, downtime, dust, and cost. Demountable modular walls are a factory-manufactured product assembled on-site without wet trades. Key differences: Installation time (demountable is 30-50% faster); Reconfiguration cost (drywall = demolish and rebuild; demountable = disassemble and reinstall); Waste (drywall generates significant landfill material on each change; demountable generates near zero); Acoustic performance (comparable or superior in engineered demountable systems); Upfront cost (drywall is lower upfront; demountable is lower over 7-10 year lifecycle for organizations that reconfigure). For Canadian commercial tenants, demountable walls also offer a lease-end advantage - they can potentially be removed and reinstalled in a new space or recovered as a depreciating asset rather than written off as a tenant improvement. demountable modular walls(/solid-partition-walls)

Yes. That is the defining feature of a demountable system. feco partition components are engineered to be disassembled at the floor and ceiling connection points, relocated, and reinstalled in a new configuration with minimal site disruption and no demolition. Typical reconfiguration timeline for a 2,000-3,000 sq ft office: 2-5 business days depending on complexity and whether new components are required. Comparison: drywall reconfiguration for the same space typically requires 3-6 weeks including demolition, structural work, finishing, and painting. Not all demountable systems have equal reconfigurability. Simpler systems may limit configuration options due to fixed panel dimensions or connection details. feco systems are engineered for multi-generation reconfiguration - meaning the same components can be reconfigured multiple times over the life of a building. feco partition components(/systems)

Yes. Demountable partition systems in commercial office environments are typically full floor-to-ceiling installations. This is required for acoustic performance - partial-height partitions do not block sound transmission through the ceiling plenum. Full-height installation also provides the structural integrity required for glass wall systems, integrated doors, and heavy panel finishes. Selectta's feco-based systems are designed as full-height structural wall assemblies, not cubicle-height screens. acoustic performance(/acoustic-partition-walls)

Yes. Demountable wall systems contribute to LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) credits in several categories: Materials and Resources (reduced construction waste, potential for material reuse and recycling); Indoor Environmental Quality (acoustic performance, low-VOC materials in feco systems); and Innovation credits for adaptive reuse strategies. feco systems are manufactured under ISO 14001 environmental management standards. The reusability of demountable components directly reduces the construction waste that would otherwise result from drywall demolition cycles over a building's lifetime. Selectta can provide product environmental documentation for LEED submissions upon request. LEED(/sustainability)

Installation time depends on system type, project size, and site conditions. As a general reference: a 1,000 sq ft modular partition installation typically takes 3-7 business days for a prefabricated system like feco. A comparable drywall build-out typically takes 3-6 weeks including framing, boarding, taping, finishing, and painting. Selectta provides a project-specific timeline as part of the consultation and scoping process. Timeline factors include: building access and elevator scheduling, electrical rough-in coordination, any custom-manufactured components, and phasing requirements if the space must remain partially operational. consultation and scoping process(/design-build)

feco glass partition systems are installed as a dry assembly process. The sequence: (1) floor track installation anchored to the structural slab; (2) vertical frame elements plumbed and secured; (3) ceiling track installation coordinated with existing ceiling grid or structure; (4) glass panels inserted into frames with acoustic seals; (5) door frames and door units installed; (6) electrical raceways and data pathways integrated if specified. No wet trades are required. There is no drywall mud, no painting, and no curing time. This makes feco installations significantly faster and cleaner than traditional construction - workspaces adjacent to the installation are typically unaffected. All Selectta installations are managed under single-point accountability - one team coordinates planning, supply, and installation through to handover. feco glass partition systems(/glass-doors)

A Design+Build contract integrates design, specification, supply, and installation under one accountable partner. In Selectta's model: scope definition and space planning; system specification and acoustic performance matching; supply of feco components; installation management and site coordination; and post-installation support. What is explicitly excluded from a typical modular partition Design+Build contract: base building mechanical and electrical work, flooring, ceilings (unless integrated), and furniture. These are typically coordinated in parallel but contracted separately unless agreed otherwise. The advantage of Design+Build over traditional design-bid-build is a single point of accountability for the partition system - no finger-pointing between designer and contractor when issues arise. Design+Build(/design-build)

Five practices minimize operational disruption: (1) phased installation - complete one zone before starting the next, maintaining function in unaffected areas; (2) after-hours or weekend installation for noise-sensitive phases; (3) dry installation systems (like modular walls) rather than wet trades, which generate dust, fumes, and extended cure times; (4) pre-manufactured components that minimize on-site fabrication time; (5) a single contractor rather than multiple trades, which reduces coordination delays and site confusion. Selectta's prefabricated system approach is specifically suited to occupied building installations. Components arrive site-ready. Installation is clean and fast. Most clients experience minimal disruption to adjacent workspaces. Selectta's prefabricated system(/systems)

Selectta supplies four primary system types through the feco platform: glass partition walls (single and double glazed, framed and frameless options, acoustic performance to approximately 52 dB Rw,P); solid partition walls (opaque panels with integrated finishes, coordinated with glass and door elements); acoustic partition walls and elements (targeted acoustic treatment for meeting rooms, focus zones, and open-plan environments); and fall-proof glass wall systems (engineered to meet safety standards for large glass formats without additional barriers). All systems are available as part of a full Design+Build engagement or as supply-only for contractor-managed installations. glass-partition-walls(/glass-partition-walls) solid-partition-walls(/solid-partition-walls) acoustic-partition-walls(/acoustic-partition-walls) glass-wall-fall-proof(/glass-wall-fall-proof)

feco is a German manufacturer of precision modular wall systems with over 70 years of development history. feco systems are used in commercial offices, institutional buildings, and high-specification workplace environments across Europe and internationally - including projects for Microsoft, Harvard University, and major financial institutions. Selectta is the Canadian supply and installation partner for feco systems. This means Canadian clients receive a globally certified system with local specification, supply chain, and installation accountability. feco products are manufactured to DIN and ISO standards and tested to certified acoustic performance values by independent German laboratories. The feco system is not a commodity partition product. It is an engineered building component designed for multi-decade building lifecycles with reconfiguration as a core design principle. feco(/systems) Canadian supply and installation partner(/about)

Yes. feco systems include built-in raceways for power and data cabling as a standard design feature. This allows electrical and IT rough-in to be completed as part of the wall installation sequence rather than as a separate trade coordination problem. HVAC integration is coordinated at the design stage. feco wall systems are designed to interface with standard North American ceiling grid and base building mechanical systems. Selectta's Design+Build process includes HVAC coordination as part of the scope management process. This integration is one of the key advantages of a system-based approach over site-built construction - all service coordination is designed in, not improvised on-site. Design+Build process(/design-build)

Selectta currently operates from offices in Toronto (Ontario) and Halifax (Nova Scotia), serving clients across the Greater Toronto Area, Atlantic Canada, and other Canadian markets on a project basis. For projects outside these primary markets, contact Selectta to discuss logistics and project delivery options. Selectta's Toronto office is the primary point of contact for national project inquiries. Toronto(/contact)