April 2018 | Space Plus By The Sliding Door Company

What’s the Big Deal About Coworking Spaces?

Where do freelancers go when they need to get down to business? Many work from home. Some hop between coffee shops. Others put down roots in a new kind of shared office called a “coworking space.” Instead of housing a single corporation, coworking spaces open their doors to multiple businesses or independent contractors, and they’re becoming more common by the minute. Why are so many people tearing down the office wall and putting up glass office dividers? Take the time to learn a bit more about these 21st Century workspaces.

Why All the Rage for Coworking Spaces?

In the past few years, we’ve seen the rise of the gig (or freelance) economy, in which short-term contracts and remote work become more popular. In other words, businesses are hiring more independent contractors and fCd. Intuit CEO Brad Smith told CNN Money that 34 percent of the workforce already works in the gig economy, and that could reach 43 percent by 2020.

Combine that with the fact that the collaboration-loving millennial generation is taking over the workforce, and it’s no wonder coworking spaces have become so popular. Indeed, we’ve seen a boom in the number of offices that accommodate more than one business. From little more than a dozen known coworking spaces in 2007 to more than 11,000 in 2017, it has become one of the fastest-growing trends in modern office design.

That being said, whether coworking spaces are a brilliant idea or a terrible idea depends on who you are, what you do, and how you work. Freelancers love them because they offer the structure of a regular office and the benefits of a communal workspace without them having to get a regular job.

Many entrepreneurs prefer coworking spaces because they’re less expensive than traditional offices and require less commitment and responsibility. In other words, they come with no long-term contracts or the obligation to hire a cleaning staff. By renting out part of an office, a startup can get many of the perks of a bona fide office, without some of the most prohibitive drawbacks.

How to Design the Perfect Coworking Space

Coworking spaces present unique design challenges. How do you create an office space that works for such a diverse set of people? Here are a few tips:

Open Space: One of the reasons people love coworking spaces is because they want to be part of something bigger. They want to work in an office with other people, and the design should reflect that. Allowing for plenty of open space also gives employees of a single business the opportunity to work together while encouraging innovation, collaboration and a sense of “buzz” going on to boost morale. When it comes to design, think shared tables, couches, large comfy chairs, and glass office divider walls instead of solid walls.
Kitchen: So much of the socialization that happens at work takes place around the water cooler, or coffee pot, or fridge. Include a kitchen in your office design, particularly since workers can gather with others without interrupting the flow of their work.
Separate Workspaces: Coworking spaces that serve multiple businesses might consider erecting glass office partition panels between different areas. That’s a great way to give different businesses their own workspaces without cutting them off from each other.
Private Offices: Openness is fine, but sometimes you need a little privacy, particularly in shared offices where renters often belong to different businesses. Glass doors and office wall dividers are preferable in those cases.
Conference Rooms: You should include at least one conference room so employees can meet with each other or so people in cross functional teams can brain storm or meet with visitors. Although renters typically have to pay a premium to access perks like private offices and conference rooms, they’re important features in any coworking space.
Keyless Entry: Modern keyless entry systems allow tenants to input a code, scan a pass card, or even use their smartphones to gain access to interior offices. In other words, it’s both secure and convenient.

Looking for more design ideas? Need solutions for your workspace? Stay tuned to our blog and then give us a call at 888-869-1850 when you’re ready to talk quotes, purchasing, and installation!

Why Are Bi-Folding Doors So Awesome?

Introducing the newest addition to the Space Plus, a division of The Sliding Door Company, lineup—The Bi-Fold Door. Coming in May 2018!

Bi-fold doors got a bad reputation during the late 20th Century due to bad design and poor construction. At Space Plus, a division of The Sliding Door Company, we’ve set out to change that. We’re on a mission to revive this neglected space divider. Why do we care so much? Because the bi-folding door is nothing short of incredible. With the right design and quality manufacturing, they can work wonders for your interior.

6 Advantages of Bi-Fold Doors

They’re Unique – Bi-folding doors are a type of sliding door that folds out like an accordion. Instead of swinging out, sliding along the side, or disappearing into a recess, the panels stack up against the wall. In the past, most bi-folding doors of the past were constructed out of cheap wood (a key reason for their bad reputation), but newer, better models use higher-quality materials like tempered glass.

They Create a Nice Big Opening

Bi-folding doors are unique in that they both fold and slide, which opens up a lot of space, giving you full access to the other side. That makes them ideal for large walls, such as living room entryways or master suites. That’s also why bi-fold doors are the go-to option for large closets that span the length of a wall.

They Don’t Hog Space

Like all sliding glass doors, Space Plus’s glass bi-folding doors are great space savers. While not as discreet as pocket doors, they free up more space than traditional sliding doors since they don’t need to slide against an adjacent wall. Their ability to save space while creating a large opening makes them perfect for laundry rooms, mud rooms, closets—anywhere space is at a premium but full access is needed.

They Lighten Up a Room

Doors made of glass let light flow from one space to the next. Since bi-folding doors take up most, if not all, of a wall, that can have a major impact on the look and feel of the room. In short, you can take your interior from gloomy to airy just by installing bi-folding glass doors.

They’re Perfect for Closets

When you think of bi-folding doors, you probably think of closet doors. Indeed, they’re a popular choice for closets because they offer full access to the contents inside, unlike sliding doors, which only give you access to half of the closet at any one time. Custom bifold closet doors give you the power to choose the size, glass style, and frame design.

They’re Easy and Safe to Use

Just slide them apart, and … voila! A full view! With Space Plus, you get doors that won’t pinch your fingers. Unlike the poorly designed doors of the past, our doors feature an anti-finger-pinching system that prevents your hands from getting stuck inside the folds. Finally, our doors require no bottom tracks or heavy wood suspension systems. Instead, we support our panels with pivots and smooth-gliding upper wheels. That makes them both easier and safer to use with safety you can trust!

Want to learn more about our bi-folding doors? Contact Space Plus, a division of The Sliding Door Company, to find out all about bifold closet doors sizes and bifold closet doors installation. Also, stay tuned to our site for full product descriptions coming in April of 2018.