Blog

Building With Confidence

As a contractor, you’re entrusted with the responsibility of creating functionally aesthetic living environments while ensuring the safety and comfort of your clients. This can be a difficult medium to reach while staying on budget and meeting timeline expectations. The trick is to have all pieces to the building puzzle working harmoniously together, including your building team and the wholesalers selling your materials.

The quality of materials you source can be the difference between a successful build and a nightmare project. Working with companies that manufacture solid, reliable products and materials is the best way to ensure a great outcome.

The Building Blocks

Wood, Stone, Brick, Steel, and Cement are any builder’s best friend. But these fine material choices also come with a fair bit of sourcing discretion and a willingness to dig. Not just literally. Anytime you source these precious materials, it’s your duty as a contractor to take a deep dive into the harvesting practices, refinery methods, and treatment by your wholesalers to ensure long-lasting materials that aren’t so impactful on the planet. With the right tools, you can build with confidence and thoroughly impress your clients.

Ready to Refine

Space Plus, A Division of The Sliding Door Company, makes the sturdiest spatial solutions around, including sliding pocket doors, glass barn doors, and floor-to-ceiling wall partitions. What sets this company apart from others is its variety of glass including 5mm tempered glass, 7mm laminated glass, or 10mm frameless glass- which is great for industrial use as well as residential properties. Never worry about failing products or breakable glass again when you work with SpacePlus. Another perk? Their team of installers will come transform a room with the doors being installed in less than a day! Slashing building time while enjoying the expertise of hardworking installers is one big bonus you can’t afford to pass up.

Furnishings to Finish

Whether your new project was built on spec or commissioned by an excited client, interiors are one area you can’t overlook. All the hard work spent constructing the exterior will be lost in translation if the interiors don’t dazzle and inspire. Sourcing high-quality, built-to-last furnishings is key when outfitting your new project. So pass on the plastic! Here are some of our favorite materials that stand the test of time (and look incredible):

  • Ethical Leather
  • Organic Wool
  • Velvet
  • Wood/Metal framing
  • Hemp and Bamboo
  • Organic Cotton
  • Cork
  • Glass

At Space Plus, we’ve got you covered. With recyclable and environmentally friendly, LEED points, and a variety of glass options, Space Plus offers the sturdiest spatial solutions on the market. Visit Space Plus, A Division of the Sliding Door Company online for your up and coming commercial needs including glass office dividers and other sliding room dividers. View our online catalog, Get a quote from one of our professionals today, and order the perfect office partitions and sliding doors you need to ensure safety for all online at SpacePlus.com

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Blog

Keeping The Workplace Safe This Season

As we head into a new season, there is a collective worry that this flu season will be far more devastating than in years past. With no sign of this virus slowing down, and a vaccine still months out, workers are becoming even more aware and considerate about how to keep their workplace safe and comfortable for everyone. Managing an office space and leading a team can be difficult during these uncertain times. But arming yourself and your workplace with the right solutions will make all the difference in the fight against COVID.

So what are some methods to introduce into the workplace to safeguard employees, visitors, and clients alike this fall flu season? Above all else, you and your workforce should use the known and proven-to-work sanitation standards, which should be regularly followed and unwavering. Your employees need to ensure the safety of everyone in the building while coming and leaving work even if they have individual offices, which is why asking everyone to mask up while at work is another simple solution that guarantees safety for all. All communal areas should be socially distanced and mask-required in order to be safe for employees of all ages.

This information is probably not anything new, but before we get into other safety methods, we thought it important to mention those above, though most people by now are well-versed with the standard safety precautions in place. The following fall solutions list a number of new and inventive systems that really help eliminate unnecessary surface contact, potential airborne contamination, and general fear within your commercial establishment.

Keyless Locking Systems

Considering how often we open and close doors, it only makes sense that locking systems should evolve to meet the modern moment and utilize the available technology. Space Plus, A Division of The Sliding Door Company offers innovative keyless locking door systems that connect right to your smartphone! Rather than carting around a set of dirty keys and touching handles and doorknobs unnecessarily, you can unlock your doors with the tap of your finger.

All you need is your smartphone and the locking app. Simply unlock the door and push open, cutting the contact in half. Especially useful in office settings for utility rooms or individual office doors that open and close regularly, these systems make entering and exiting a total breeze.

Sanitizing

The importance of consistent sanitation cannot be overstressed. Your company should have already created a job for one of your cleaning staff or contracted a team of sanitation experts to consistently and professionally clean, disinfect, and sanitize your commercial space. Door knobs, elevator buttons, kitchen counters, and other communal spaces within the office must be wiped down and sanitized often. Providing hand sanitizer and disinfecting wipes throughout your commercial building is also highly recommended in order to help keep employees cleaner and safer for all.

Space dividers

Aside from masks, large outdoor spaces, and self quarantines, space dividers are the newest solution of choice. Many of you have likely seen pop-up plexiglass or glass dividers in restaurants, banks, or any other business that comes in close contact with customers. And as a commercial business, it is your responsibility to outfit your facility or office space with top-grade spatial dividers to keep your employees and your customers a safe as possible. Sliding Room Dividers (floor-to-ceiling and smaller sizes), as well as sliding glass doors and Office Partitions, make it possible to welcome back workers safely without risking the health of everyone indoors. You can choose from countless customizable options, handles, accessories, and even glass transparency when you order your sliding office dividers from Space Plus!

Putting these tips into play, you can safeguard your staff, employees, and your customers against this fall flu season! For more ideas, inspiration, and related blogs, head over to Space Plus, a Division of The Sliding Door Company for all the best in commercial space-saving solutions! From Bi-Fold doors to swing doors,wall dividers to suspended systems, Space Plus has it all. Schedule a free consultation with one of our showroom professionals and start your educational transformation today!

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Blog

A New Kind of Necessity

Interior upgrades for your commercial space or retail business that add convenience and offer flexibility are an absolute must these days. If you own and operate any business that interacts with numerous customers per hour, you need to safeguard both your employees and your clients from spreading the Coronavirus by implementing methods for safe separation.

The key to success is finding a solution that is not only quick, affordable, and cost-effective to install, but one that also offers must-need flexibility during the workday. At Space Plus, a Division of The Sliding Door Company, we’re the experts at finding the right solutions for your business. Take our advice, and invest in the best. Here’s a list of some of our safety recommendations if you’re currently operating a business during these unprecedented times.

Be Prepared

To run and operate a safe and effective business or medical practice in the modern moment, you’ll need to arm your place of work with safety measures before anyone even enters the door. This looks like:

  • Hiring a door greeter that is capable of taking people’s temperature or issuing medical questionnaires to incomers.
  • Offering a hand sanitizing table, complete with wet wipes and sanitizer pumps.
  • Keeping the doors closed with a sign on the outside stating your requested protocol such as mask-wearing, social distancing, and store capacity number.
  • Having a time limit for appointments/shoppers to keep the flow of traffic steady and fair to all visiting.
  • Request that visitors to your business make an appointment online or through the phone prior to visiting.

Pass-through Windows

Pass through sliding panels allows you to open or close spaces between workers and visitors, such as a pharmacy counter, medical testing site, or food window! Reception windows are a perfect solution to healthcare waiting rooms, education, and any commercial space where people walk up to a counter. The best part? Your business can select from various glass types, frame finishes, locks, handles, and other accessories to find the ideal solution for your business needs.

Transition Your Business Online

Many businesses and even medical practices have made the transition to online, offering all the services they can on a virtual platform while COVID cases remain high and safety is a top concern. While not every need can be met through a screen, the majority of shopping, consultations, and medical questionnaires can be fulfilled using a computer. This helps reduce the number of people visiting the physical place of business and cuts back on the number of workers necessary.

With the integration of glass partitions and wall dividers, hospitals, health care facilities, pharmacies, and retail shops will be able to serve patients, clients, and customers in need.  Spatial separation is the most crucial element in this process to safeguard citizens against this deadly virus. Make your facility or place of business as safe as possible for everyone involved. Stop the spread of COVID-19 by integrating glass wall partitions and increasing physical separation between visitors and workers. Visit Space Plus, A Division of the Sliding Door Company online for your commercial needs including glass office dividers, privacy walls, and sliding room dividers. View our online catalog, Get a quote from one of our professionals today, and order the perfect pass-through glass windows you need to ensure safety for all online at SpacePlus.com.

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Blog

Shut-downs Present the Perfect Opportunity to Remodel

Last week, California announced another round of restaurant closures due to a recent and troubling spike in COVID case numbers. This comes as the second wave of mandatory restaurant shut-downs, which will result in widespread job loss (both temporary and long term) and will be financially devastating for millions. And while the next few weeks will be exceptionally difficult for both employees and employers, there might just be a silver lining.

This is because customers, clients, and employees will be gone from the business over the next few weeks, allowing you (the owner) a chance to finally make those restaurant upgrades you’ve been putting off for years. Without the ability to serve in-person dining, it’s time to start thinking about the direction you would like to see your restaurant move towards. If you own a food or beverage establishment in a top California city, chances are you’ve been competing with some of the best in the business. And these top restaurants are not only judged by the quality of the food and service, but also the ambiance and aesthetic. With so many competing restaurants to choose from, you have to make your business stand out and pique the interest of passersby.  And if you haven’t put work into your business in over a decade, chances are it’s due for a serious interior upgrade. Luckily, Space Plus, A Division of the Sliding Door Company has the expert know-how and innovative ideas to bring your environs into the modern moment.

To help get you started, we’ve provided a few interior design tips and tactics for your new project.

Expand the Space

These days, we tend to feel most at ease within wide-open spaces and sleek open floor plans that ooze contemporary modernism. And this considered style doesn’t just apply to restaurants but also is integrated into workspaces, retail shops, and homes. The truth is, the decade-long transition to a more light-filled, open-air environment creates a breathable space and allows your patrons to feel included in the greater experience. Providing easy interior visibility broadens the space and creates a kinship between patrons. A great way to achieve expansive interiors is to adopt a minimalist approach and reduce the number of physical barriers and even tables within the space. Though if your restaurant requires a few physical barriers within the dining area, we suggest installing beautiful glass wall partitions or Glass Room Dividers to achieve this medium. This way, you can enjoy some spatial separation between tables or entire dining rooms, all while retaining an open floor plan and the same visibility.

Modernize it

Lately, the interior design industry is promoting the use of natural textiles, rustic materials and timeless pieces. Juxtapositions of natural elements such as wood with metal, or glass paired with earthen materials like stucco create a fascinating narrative for your customers to appreciate while they dine. Integrate metalwork with comfortable opposites like velvet, linen or corduroy to use for upholstery like seat cushions. Also, don’t forget to update your bathrooms to reflect the rest of the renovation. Pair modern Sliding Glass Bathroom Doors with rustic concrete floors and finish the room off with worldly wall textiles. Women in particular will truly appreciate the extra effort

Now that you have a springboard of ideas, it’s time to jump into the interior remodeling. After all, you may only have a few weeks until restaurants are allowed to reopen! By implementing these spatial solutions into your interior space, you’ll be able to compete with your surrounding restaurants and attract the customers you’ll need to emerge from this crisis unscathed. For more ideas, inspiration, and related blogs, head over to Space Plus, a Division of The Sliding Door Company for all the best in commercial space-saving solutions! From Bi-Fold doors to Swing Doors, wall dividers to suspended systems, Space Plus has it all! Schedule a free consultation with one of our showroom professionals and order your very own custom Qubi Glass partitions today!

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Blog

Solutions for Social Distancing During early Stages of Re-openings

Restaurant Industry Greatly Affected by COVID 19.

While expected, it appears as though most Americans are still grappling with digesting the new normal, being that many public establishments, restaurants included, are beginning to open their doors at alarming rates. Beaches, parks and other recreational, or “non-essential” businesses are also slowly reopening to the public. Though most are uncertain whether this is a wise gamble, others are overjoyed with the recent developments. Over the course of the last two and a half months, the food and beverage industry (including restaurants) has seen an unprecedented rollercoaster of highs and lows, of prejudices and judgments, of swift evolutions and unfortunate pitfalls and foreclosures. Of course, there is really no telling at this point, how successfully the industry will be able to regain its footing and return to “business as usual”. Likely, things won’t look or feel the same for months, perhaps even years. Though,  if there is one certainty, it is that during the coming weeks and months, health, safety, and comfort will be taken more seriously than ever before. As a restaurant owner, it will become imperative to not only provide a safe and sanitized setting for your valued patrons, but your future success will hinge on your ability to convince the public that your establishment has taken serious measures to safeguard your visitors. There are a number of ways that you can ensure a clean, healthy restaurant coming out of this pandemic, so perhaps the ideal restaurant is one which utilizes all of the solutions simultaneously. Below are the top health and safety solutions to implement coming out of COVID 19.

 

Limit Your Available Capacity

Many restaurants are choosing to reopen as safely as possible, to guard both their working staff, as well as their customers. One sure way to reduce the risk of person-to-person spreading, is to significantly reduce the number of available seats in the restaurant. Additionally, outside seating is encouraged, as fresh air is said to help reduce the risk of air transmission from those in close proximity to one another. By halving your normal capacity, you can effectively create distance and space between your patrons, allowing them the peace of mind of a non-crowded atmosphere, while ensuring a no-contact dining experience.

Indoor Social Distancing

Similar to limiting the establishment’s overall capacity, the main idea is to encourage indoor social distancing within public spaces that are normally overflowing with people. In regards to reopened businesses and restaurants alike, it will be very important to discern which tables should be seated depending on how much space they allow from the next occupied table. People want to know that they can remain a safe six feet apart, so it is the restaurant’s responsibility to grant that. The host or hostess must be aware of the current circumstances, the social distancing recommendations, and be able to plan accordingly when seating guests. 

Wall Partitions and Room Dividers

Another solution that businesses, educational institutions, and restaurants are starting to utilize, are wall partitions and room dividers. Easy to install partitions can effectively create additional spatial separation and enhanced safety within indoor environments. No restaurant wants to see their customers feeling uncomfortable or worried about their health while out for their much anticipated, long awaited dining experience. As the owner of a food establishment, make use of the available spatial solutions and integrate easy to clean glass room dividers or breezy sliding room partitions throughout your business to create enhanced separation from table to table, or to limit the restaurants available seating. Some restaurants are now even using glass wall dividers to create see-through waiting zones where customers can wait to be seated in a safe, risk-free enclosure, apart from foot traffic and potential contact. Glass walls are not only antimicrobial, but they are also exceptionally easy to clean and disinfect within seconds. Additionally, glass walls are resistant to damage and water, and conveniently offered in a wide range of glass opacities, from completely opaque, to see-through transparent. They require no construction, and take less than 24 hours to be installed by our team of professional installers.

Continue Encouraging Customers to Take Out

Without a doubt, the surest way to continue providing a safe dining experience for your patrons, is to continue encouraging take-away food, deliveries, and made-to-order items that passersby can easily walk home with. By reducing the number of people dining inside the restaurant, you can maintain maximum health and safety for everyone involved.

Spatial separation will be the most crucial element through this reintegration process to safeguard patrons, restaurant staff, and delivery workers against this deadly virus. Ensure your establishment is as safe as possible for everyone involved! Stop the spread of COVID 19 by integrating glass wall partitions and increased patient separation. Visit Space Plus, A Division of the Sliding Door Company online to view our online catalog, and Get a quote from one of our professionals today.