3 Screen Room Divider Comparisons

If you are thinking of purchasing a screen room divider, there are enough different types of screen dividers on the market today to suit just about any need you have, whether its breaking up open space in a loft apartment, dividing up the room between you and your dorm roommate, or setting up workstations at the office. If you are going to be able to make an informed decision about the type of divider to buy, you need to know what types are available.

1. Free Standing, Multi-Panel Divider

This is probably the most common type of divider. It allows for maximum mobility while needing zero installation in order to stand up, allowing it to be placed anywhere in the home and easily moved about. These work by having hinges on alternating sides of the divider, which also gives you the option of folding it down into a single panel and easily storing it. They come in a variety of sizes, as well as many types of materials, including wood, plastic, glass, and fabric.

These are the most popular for those looking for a decorative divider. For example, having a fabric room divider with an intricate pattern sewn in, or a divider with decorative stained glass, can greatly liven up a room. They are also popular for being a more cheap room divider than many other types.

2. Hanging Divider

Hanging room dividers offer less flexibility than the free standing, multi-panel dividers, because they must be installed on a permanent track in the ceiling. They are also more expensive, especially if the track needs to be strong enough to support the full weight of the divider (some dividers reach all the way to the floor, letting the floor support most of the weight). These dividers are less about ornamentation and more about functionality, often partitioning off sections of a large room that you may occasionally want to open up, such as a large office area or a large basement.

3. Single Panel Dividers

Single panel dividers are popular for businesses, especially for constructing cubicles or otherwise breaking up separate work areas for employees. While you can set one up as a single panel standing on its own, it is best to set them up at least in pairs, set perpendicular to each other so they can support one another. Otherwise, you may need to install some sort of supporting legs to the divider.

4. Other Divider Options

There are many options that come with each of the three main types of dividers, depending on what you want to use your divider for. For example, instead of using a traditional material like wood or fabric for your panels, use a divider with mirrors, which not only adds functionality but gives the sense of a larger, more spacious room. Some also come with small shelves or hangers that fold out, pockets for books or magazines, or slots for photographs. Office dividers also come with a number of features, such as panels used as dry erase boards or cork boards (or other materials suitable for push pins).