A well-engineered operable wall track can make a big difference to the lifetime of the wall. Tight tolerances and the demands of over use or alternately not enough use can impact the performance if not maintained. Periodic maintenance enables longevity, therefore the tracks should be cleaned and when required adjustment to carriers should be made as well as lubrication to tracks and carriers. Operable walls will provide years of integrity.
Updating the look of the room when an operable wall is in place is a simple process. Recovering the face or even replacing the panel of an operable wall can be a cost benefit for upgrades.
Operable walls also allow for the rationalisation of a room, as the available space is divided to allow for a multitude of uses. For example, creating meeting rooms, function areas, and even outdoor dining areas is possible. Flexible design should also address future trends and changes in patient profile, that is, meeting the increasing demands on space and facilities because of increased patient numbers and the needs of bariatric patients. Allowing for changes to two spaces such as interlocking rooms, for example enabling residents and couples to share spaces means that when the division of space is no longer required it can be reconfigured accordingly.
