Mobile walls
Wall claddings
Lightweight partition walls are one of the most commonly chosen interior design elements in commercial buildings: offices, hotels, conference centers, and universities. Unlike load-bearing walls and traditional masonry partitions, lightweight systems are installed without interfering with the building’s structure, which shortens construction time and reduces costs.
Keep in mind, however, that the term “lightweight partition wall” encompasses several fundamentally different systems with varying acoustic properties, fire resistance ratings, and degrees of flexibility. Below you’ll find a comprehensive overview of the types, materials, and technical parameters that will be useful during the specification phase.
A lightweight partition wall is a non-load-bearing interior partition designed to divide usable space without carrying structural loads. It is mounted to the ceiling, floor, and side walls using lightweight aluminum or steel profiles.
Key features of a lightweight partition wall:
Lightweight partition wall systems differ primarily in their acoustic performance, installation requirements, and the ability to reconfigure spaces without significant effort. Below is an overview of the four main categories, including their specifications and typical applications in commercial buildings.
The most common system in commercial construction. The structure is based on galvanized steel profiles (CW/UW) filled with gypsum board—usually in a double or triple layer configuration.
Typical specifications:
Application: open-plan offices, hotels, hospitals, hallways. A good choice for places where high sound insulation is required on a tight budget.
Constraint: fixed wall—moving it requires demolition work.
Aluminum-and-glass systems are the standard in modern Class A office buildings and high-end spaces. They consist of an aluminum support frame and a glass panel (tempered or laminated glass).
Typical specifications:
Application: conference rooms, reception areas, executive offices, and open-plan spaces with designated workstations. Satin-finished or film-coated glass ensures privacy without visually closing off the space.
Limitation: higher unit cost compared to GK; limited options for running installations inside the profile.
Mobile systems are distinguished by the ability to be rearranged or installation without permanently altering the building’s structure. They are divided into two main types.
Prefabricated panels attached to the ceiling and floor using guide profiles. Disassembly and reassembly are possible without specialized tools. The system is designed for spaces where the functional layout changes less frequently—for example, once every few years during an office reorganization.
Typical specifications:
Systems suspended from ceiling tracks, consisting of sliding or folding segments. They allow you to divide or open up a space in just a few minutes without any construction work.
Typical specifications:
Application: conference rooms, auditoriums, hotel banquet halls, exhibition centers. Ideal for spaces that require flexible reconfiguration—for example, a conference room that can be divided into two smaller rooms or combined with a lobby.
Systems based on aluminum profiles filled with solid panels—without glass. The panels are typically made of composite materials (HPL or CPL laminate—both variants comply with EN 438-3), MDF, particleboard, or gypsum board. They are characterized by great aesthetic flexibility and ease of integration with glass-aluminum systems.
Typical specifications:
Applications: reception areas, hallways, entryways—spaces requiring a high-quality aesthetic finish while maintaining modularity.
The choice of filling or finishing material has a direct impact on the system’s acoustic and fire performance, weight, and aesthetics. Below is a list of the most commonly used materials.
| Material | Typical tear strength | Fire reaction class | Fire resistance (EI) | Typical application |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gypsum board | 40–60 dB | A2-s1,d0 (GKF) | EI 30–EI 120 | Office walls, hallways, hotels |
| Tempered / Laminated Glass | 35–50 dB | A1 | EI 30 (fire-resistant glass) | Conference rooms, reception areas |
| Mineral wool (insulation) | increases Rw by 5–10 dB | A1 (non-combustible) | – | Inside gypsum board and modular systems |
| HPL / CPL Laminate | depends on the system | B-s1,d0 | – | Aluminum panel finish |
| Particleboard / MDF | 38–46 dB | D-s2,d0 | – | Modular walls, furniture panels |
A note on terminology. The table uses two separate fire classifications. The reaction-to-fire class (A1, A2, B, D, etc., according to EN 13501-1) specifies how a material behaves when exposed to fire—whether it ignites, emits smoke, or drips. The EI fire resistance rating (according to EN 13501-2) is a parameter for the entire partition system—it indicates how many minutes the system maintains its integrity (E) and thermal insulation (I) during a fire. The mere use of Class A1 materials does not automatically mean that the finished wall system will achieve an EI rating of 30 or higher. This is determined by a certified test of the entire assembly.
The sound insulation of a partition wall is determined by the Rw index (weighted sound insulation index), expressed in decibels. The higher the Rw value, the more effective the airborne sound insulation.
Guidelines for acoustic requirements in typical commercial spaces:
The Rw rating declared by the manufacturer is a laboratory value. The actual sound insulation performance of an installed wall (R’w) is typically 3–5 dB lower due to acoustic bridges, the quality of installation, and the tightness of service penetrations.
Note. The Rw value declared by the manufacturer refers to the panel itself, not the entire installed wall. The actual insulation performance of the partition depends on the airtightness of each of its components: the bottom seal, the junction with the ceiling, and the joints between panels. A single leaky joint can reduce the Rw value of the entire wall by several decibels, regardless of the panel’s specifications.
The fire resistance of a partition wall is expressed as an EI class (a measure of fire integrity and fire insulation) with a time rating in minutes: EI 30, EI 60, EI 120.
What do the different classes mean:
The requirements for a specific building are based on the fire protection design and depend, among other things, on the building’s fire resistance rating, the function of the rooms, and the evacuation route. Walls that do not meet the required EI rating cannot serve as fire barriers.
Important: Not every movable or sliding wall system has an ITB certificate confirming its EI rating. Review the manufacturer’s technical documentation before including the system in the specifications.
In commercial facilities with variable functions (hotels, conference centers, universities), a fixed partition wall may, over time, limit layout options. A mobile system allows you to reconfigure the space without involving a construction crew. Below is a comparison of both solutions.
| Criterion | Fixed Partition (Gypsum Board) | Movable wall |
|---|---|---|
| Flexibility of Space | None (fixed wall) | Full—can be reconfigured in a few minutes |
| Sound insulation Rw | 40–60 dB | 42–56 dB (automatic sealing) |
| EI Class | Up to EI 120 | Up to EI 30 (certified systems) |
| Cost of dismantling/relocation | High (construction work) | None (self-reconfiguration) |
| Installation time | 2–5 days per 100 m² | 1–2 days per 100 m² |
| Applications | Offices with a fixed layout | Conference rooms, hotels, auditoriums |
The OPTIMAL 110 and OPTIMAL 50 series systems are designed for facilities where spatial flexibility is a key design requirement. The OPTIMAL 110 Plus Fire EI30 system is one of the few mobile systems on the Polish market with ITB certification confirming fire resistance class EI30, which allows it to be used as a fire barrier while maintaining full mobility.
Base your choice of system on an analysis of at least five criteria:
Also take into account the manufacturer’s service model—especially for mobile systems, where regular maintenance of the guides and seals is crucial for maintaining acoustic performance over the long term.
See: OPTIMAL Maintenance Services – we operate throughout Poland.
Mobile partition wall systems are used in Poland in, among other places:
In each of these cases, it was important to combine acoustic parameters that met the design requirements with the ability to quickly reconfigure the space without involving a renovation crew.
See OPTIMAL projects – lightweight partition walls.
In this section, you’ll find the questions our customers ask us most often. If you have any additional questions, please feel free to contact us—our engineers are ready to share their knowledge and experience regarding the installation and maintenance of lightweight partition walls.
A fixed partition wall (e.g., drywall) is a permanent structure once installed—moving it requires demolition and renovation work. A movable (sliding) wall is suspended from ceiling tracks and can be folded or moved without any construction work in just a few minutes by facility staff.
Yes. Both fixed systems (gypsum board with fire-resistant cladding) and certain mobile systems may have ITB certification confirming EI30 class. For mobile systems, such certification is rare and requires verification of the manufacturer’s documentation. Mobile systems with an EI60 rating are rare on the market—verify the manufacturer’s documentation.
Achieving an Rw value of 50 dB in a drywall system typically requires double profiles (split frame), double or triple layers of drywall on each side, and mineral wool insulation. The number of layers alone is not enough—the decisive factor is Sealing of joints and elimination of acoustic bridges.
The primary document is the PN-B-02151-3:2015 standard specifying sound insulation requirements for partitions in buildings. For offices and hotels, the following also applies: European standards (EN ISO 140, EN ISO 717). The final requirements are based on the acoustic design for the facility in question.
Yes. Mobile systems require regular inspections of the guides, casters, floor and ceiling seals, and folding mechanisms. The recommended maintenance interval is 12–24 months, depending on the intensity of use. Failure to perform maintenance results in reduced sound insulation and makes it more difficult to guide the panels.
The minimum documentation required is:
Are you looking for a movable wall system for a commercial facility?
Optimal Poland designs and manufactures OPTIMAL 110 and OPTIMAL 50 series movable wall systems for offices, hotels, conference rooms, and universities. We offer ITB-certified systems, BIM models on the BIMobject platform, and customized solutions tailored to each project.
Contact us or use online configurator.
