Mobile walls
Wall claddings
Movable walls are systems of sliding interior partitions that allow for the flexible division and consolidation of usable space in commercial buildings without interfering with the building’s structure. Unlike traditional fixed walls, movable systems make it possible to transform a single large room into several independent zones in a matter of minutes, without tools and without involving construction crews.
In this guide, we will discuss the technical specifications that determine system selection, the types of movable walls available from Optimal Poland, acoustic and fire safety requirements, and applications in various types of commercial facilities.
Movable walls are systems of segmented sliding partitions that move along tracks mounted in the ceiling (and optionally in the floor). Each segment—called a panel or leaf—is a self-contained structural unit filled with insulation, finished on both sides, and equipped with seals that ensure the continuity of the acoustic barrier.
How the system works:
This mechanism provides sound insulation comparable to that of solid walls while maintaining the system’s full mobility.
Sliding wall systems are divided into several categories, which differ in terms of storage, guidance, and technical specifications.
In systems with side storage after the wall is assembled, the panels are stored in a storage compartment located to the side of the opening – most often in the door frame or in an adjacent room. This is the most common layout in conference rooms, auditoriums, and hotel lobbies, as it allows the doorway to be completely exposed.
In overhead storage systems the panels are lifted and stored horizontally near the ceiling once the wall is opened. A solution for use in areas with limited side clearance—such as hallways or narrow passageways.
Selecting a sliding wall system for a specific building requires an analysis of four groups of parameters:
The sound insulation performance of a movable wall is expressed by the Rw value (weighted airborne sound insulation index) in accordance with the PN-EN ISO 140 standard. The higher the Rw value, the more effective the sound barrier.
Approximate requirements for typical applications:
| Application | Required Rw |
|---|---|
| Conference room in an office building | ≥ 42 dB |
| University auditorium / conference center | ≥ 48 dB |
| VIP Room at the Hotel | ≥ 50 dB |
| Banquet hall at the hotel | ≥ 50 dB |
| Open-plan space – focus zone | ≥ 38 dB |
The actual insulation performance is most significantly affected by the seals, both the bottom seal (the sealing strip against the floor) and the top seal (the seal against the ceiling). Even a leak affecting just 1% of the wall’s surface area can reduce the effective Rw by several decibels. Therefore, for requirements exceeding 45 dB Rw, it is essential to use systems with active or passive bottom sealing.
Fire resistance requirements for interior walls depend on the fire zone and the building category—they are specified in the Regulation of the Minister of Infrastructure on the technical requirements that buildings must meet (WT). Public facilities—hotels, conference centers, universities, office buildings—are subject to these regulations without exception.
Fire resistance classes:
Optimal Poland manufactures mobile fire walls for the OPTIMAL 110 Plus Fire system with a fire resistance rating of EI30 certified by the ITB. It is one of the few systems in its class that combines the mobility of a sliding wall with fire safety requirements.
OPTIMAL 50 systems are designed for smaller openings and rooms with lower acoustic requirements.
Optimal Poland manufactures movable wall systems in two main series—OPTIMAL 110 and OPTIMAL 50—with several variants tailored to different project requirements.
OPTIMAL 110 is the flagship series of sliding wall systems designed for large commercial spaces: conference rooms, convention centers, hotels, and university auditoriums. The series includes four models:
OPTIMAL 110 Plus Fire is a variant of the OPTIMAL 110 Plus system with an ITB certification confirming fire resistance class EI30. The system is designed for facilities that require space division while also meeting fire safety requirements—such as shopping centers, malls, and hotels with separate fire zones.
OPTIMAL 50 is a system designed for smaller spaces with lower acoustic requirements, such as open-plan offices, seminar rooms, and reception areas. Its key features include a compact design, lighter panels, and lower upfront costs, while maintaining mobility.
Sliding walls are used wherever a space needs to be configured differently depending on the time of day, day of the week, or type of event. Below, we discuss the four main types of commercial facilities, along with the typical requirements for each.
Conference rooms are the most common application for sliding walls. Requirements:
For conference rooms larger than 100 m², we recommend the OPTIMAL 110 or OPTIMAL 110 Plus systems with a multi-zone configuration, which allows the room to be divided into 2–3 independent zones.
In hotels, sliding walls are used in banquet halls, ballrooms, spa areas, and food and beverage areas. Requirements:
Optimal Poland has installed movable wall systems for the IBIS Styles, Focus, and Gromada hotels.
In office buildings, movable wall systems serve two main functions:
For open-plan spaces with a lower budget and lower Rw requirements, the OPTIMAL 50 is a sensible choice. For meeting rooms in Class A office buildings with Rw requirements of ≥ 45 dB, choose the OPTIMAL 110 Plus.
At universities, sliding walls are mainly used in multipurpose auditoriums, libraries, and seminar rooms. The requirements include, above all, high sound insulation (Rw ≥ 48 dB for the auditorium) and resistance to heavy use.
Optimal Poland has implemented systems for UMCS in Lublin and the Łódź University of Technology, as well as for the Lublin Conference Center and Targi Lublin—facilities with the most demanding operational requirements.
Check out our projects—movable walls for hotels, universities, offices, and exhibition halls.
Properly specifying a sliding wall system requires gathering design data as early as the conceptual phase. Changes made after the construction project is completed result in costs and delays. Below are the key steps and tools available to designers.
Before drafting the specifications, it is necessary to analyze six groups of design parameters:
Yes—the website offers a tool for the initial configuration of the movable wall system. The configurator allows you to select a system variant, specify approximate parameters, and prepare the data for a request for quotation.
Optimal Poland provides architects with BIM models for all systems on the BIMobject.com platform – This allows you to integrate the system directly into a project in ArchiCAD or Revit without manual modeling. In addition, we offer:
Below are answers to the questions that most frequently arise during the specification and design phases of sliding wall systems.
The terms “movable wall” and “sliding wall” are used interchangeably and refer to the same type of system—a segmented partition that moves along a ceiling track. In the architecture and construction industries, both terms are used interchangeably.
Sliding wall systems are designed for many years of use. Manufacturers specify the service life of the operating mechanisms and seals as several tens of thousands of open-close cycles. Regular inspections and maintenance of the bottom seals are key to ensuring their longevity. Optimal Poland offers after-sales service, including adjustment and replacement of wear parts.
Installation of movable walls as systems not permanently attached to the building structure generally does not require a building permit. However, it requires a detailed design that takes into account the load-bearing capacity of the ceiling (ceiling rail) and, in the case of fire protection systems, consultation with a fire safety expert.
Yes. The OPTIMAL 110 and OPTIMAL 50 systems are available in a threshold-free version—the wall rests solely on a ceiling track, without a floor track. The bottom seal is provided by a sealing lip that is pressed against the floor mechanically or pneumatically. This solution is mandatory wherever barrier-free accessibility is required.
Panel surfaces can be finished with CPL laminate (equivalent to HPL, from the same manufacturers, meeting the same EN 438-3 standards), natural veneer, fabric or upholstery, powder coating in any RAL color, and in glazed systems—tempered or laminated glass. The choice of finish is part of the architectural design and does not affect the system’s acoustic performance.
The number of panels depends on the width of the opening and the width of a standard panel (typically 750–1,250 mm). The rail configuration—including the length of the storage track—depends on the available space. Optimal Poland offers online configurator on the website and offers technical support in developing specifications.
Yes. The OPTIMAL 110 Plus Fire model has ITB certification confirming its EI30 fire resistance rating. It is a mobile sliding system with a full-fledged fire resistance rating, which is a unique solution on the Polish market for sliding wall manufacturers.
A complete list of reference projects is available in the “Projects” tab. Among the facilities equipped with our sliding walls are hotels (IBIS Styles, Focus, Gromada), universities (UMCS Lublin, Łódź University of Technology), and conference centers (Lublin Conference Center, Lublin Trade Fair).
