Surface Finishes for Operable and Demountable Walls

Partition Wall Finishes Across Four Manufacturers and Both Product Categories

Moderco NYC represents over 130 surface finish options for operable walls and demountable partition systems from four manufacturers. From Kvadrat fabric and Egger laminate to custom powder-coated aluminum and FSC Certified wood veneer, the combined finish library covers every specification requirement for NYC commercial interiors.

How Partition Wall Finishes Work

Office Wall Finishes for Operable and Demountable Partition Systems

Partition wall finishes serve two functions in commercial interiors: acoustic performance and visual coordination with the surrounding design. The available finish options depend on both the product category and the manufacturer. Operable walls and demountable walls use different finish systems because they are built differently.

  • Finish Selection Starts With the Product Category

    Operable walls accept panel surface finishes (fabric, vinyl, carpet, laminate, veneer) that wrap or adhere to individual movable panels. Demountable walls use a combination of aluminum frame finishes and panel infill materials (glass, solid panels, fabric-wrapped acoustic panels). Some manufacturers offer the same frame finish palette across both product categories, while others maintain separate finish libraries for each. Moderco NYC helps architects navigate these differences during the specification process.

Contract Wall Solutions Finishes

The Largest Finish Library in the Portfolio

Contract Wall Solutions offers more surface finish options than any other manufacturer in the Moderco NYC portfolio. The CWS finish library spans 73 aluminum frame finishes across 7 distinct series, 57 TEK panel finishes for demountable walls, and partnerships with Kvadrat (fabric) and Egger (laminate) for operable wall surfaces.

  • 130+ Finish Options Across Operable and Demountable Product Lines

    CWS finishes cover both the FLEXX operable wall system and five demountable wall product lines (MONO, TEK, SLIM, GEMELLI, ANTA). The 73 aluminum frame finishes apply across all product lines, giving architects a consistent finish palette whether specifying an operable partition for a hotel ballroom or a demountable glass wall for a corporate office. Panel finishes vary by product line, with TEK offering the deepest panel selection at 57 options.

CWS Aluminum Frame Finishes

Seven Frame Finish Series for Operable and Demountable Walls

Every CWS product uses the same aluminum framing system, which means the same 73 frame finish options are available across operable walls and demountable partitions. The finishes are organized into seven series, each with a distinct visual character.

Standard Anodized and Wood Printed (16 Options)

Seven standard finishes (Silver, Steel, Bronze, and Black Anodized plus White, Gunmetal, and Silver Spark painted) form the core palette. Nine wood-printed aluminum finishes (Ciliegio, Rovere, Larice, Noce, Wenge, Palissandro, Pino, and two additional variants) deliver a wood appearance on an aluminum substrate.

RAL Colors and Spark Series (30 Options)

Nineteen RAL powder-coat colors expand the solid color range beyond the standard palette. The Spark Series adds 11 metallic finishes with a textured, reflective surface including Cobalto, Pirite, Lime, Corallo, and Giada. Both series are available across all CWS operable and demountable product lines.

Satin and Silk Series (22 Options)

The Satin Series provides 11 matte metallic finishes with a smooth, low-sheen surface. The Silk Series offers the same 11 colors with a soft, brushed texture. Both series share a consistent color palette (Silver, Gold, Canna di Fucile, Pirite, Lime, Corallo, Rosso, Granata, Giada, Blu Notte, Nero) differentiated by surface texture.

Weathering Steel Series (5 Options)

Five finishes (Ruggine, Bronzo, Ottane, Ossido, Acciaio) replicate the appearance of oxidized steel on aluminum framing. This series is specified for projects requiring an industrial or raw material aesthetic. Available across all CWS product lines for both operable walls and demountable partitions.

CWS TEK Panel Finishes — Demountable Walls Only

57 Panel Finish Options for the TEK Demountable Wall System

The CWS TEK system is a frame-and-tile demountable wall that accepts solid panel inserts in three finish categories. These panel finishes apply exclusively to the TEK demountable product line and are separate from the 73 aluminum frame finishes that span all CWS products.

  • Solid Colors, Fabric Effects, and Wood Patterns

    TEK panels are available in 28 solid colors (whites, creams, greys, blacks, earth tones, and vibrant accent colors including yellows, oranges, reds, blues, and greens), 3 fabric effect finishes (Tessuto Chiaro, Tessuto Kaki, Tessuto Tortora), and 26 wood pattern finishes covering pine, oak, cherry, walnut, larch, wenge, maple, bamboo, elm, acacia, and fir variants. The wood partition wall finishes coordinate with the wood-printed aluminum frame options for a unified material palette across frame and panel.

Moderco Finishes

Finish Options for Moderco Operable and Demountable Walls

Moderco maintains separate finish libraries for operable walls and the EXTANZA 300 demountable system. Operable wall finishes emphasize acoustic panel surfaces. The EXTANZA 300 demountable system leads with painted aluminum frames in over 180 colors.

  • Operable Wall Surfaces and EXTANZA 300 Frame Colors

    Moderco operable walls (Signature 800 and Excel 700) accept carpet, fabric, vinyl, plastic laminate, wood veneer, marker board, tack board, and painted steel panel surfaces. The HytexRib carpet line offers 12 named colors including Aegean, Charcoal, Gunmetal Grey, Navy, and Taupe. The EXTANZA 300 demountable system offers 180+ painted aluminum frame colors with solid panel infill in base colors and wood grain finishes. Glass options for the EXTANZA include tempered, laminated, clear, tinted, frosted, and etched configurations.

PK-30 Finishes

Unlimited Infill Options on a Unified Aluminum Profile

PK-30 takes a different approach to finishes. Rather than offering a fixed catalog of panel options, the PK-30 system accepts any 1/4-inch to 1/2-inch panel material as infill. This gives architects unlimited design freedom.

  • Any Panel Material, Two Standard Frame Finishes, Custom Powder Coat

    PK-30’s aluminum profiles are available in clear satin anodized and black satin anodized as standard finishes. Custom powder-coat colors are available per special order (AAMA 2603 compliant). The infill system accepts glass (tempered, tinted, frosted, etched, sandblasted), laminate panels, fabric-wrapped acoustic panels, wood veneer, and solid-core panels. FSC Certified wood options are available for LEED projects. FSB hardware (in the MoMA permanent collection) comes standard in multiple metals and finishes. The same profile and finish system works for both operable and demountable applications.

Glass Partition Wall Finishes

Glass Finish Options Across Manufacturers and Product Categories

Partition walls with glass are specified for both operable and demountable applications. The available glass finish types depend on the manufacturer and product line. Three general categories cover the most commonly specified glass finishes across the Moderco NYC portfolio.

Clear and Tinted Glass

Standard clear tempered glass is available from Moderco (Crystal 200, Vision 100, EXTANZA 300), CWS (MONO, SLIM, GEMELLI), and PK-30 (all demountable products). Tinted glass options add color while maintaining transparency. Specified for conference rooms, executive offices, and reception areas where visual openness is the priority.

Frosted, Etched, and Sandblasted Glass

Privacy glass finishes reduce visibility while allowing light transfer. Acid-etched, sandblasted, and frosted glass options are available from all three glass-capable manufacturers. Custom etching (logos, patterns, gradients) is available from Moderco and CWS. Specified for private offices, HR suites, and healthcare facilities.

Painted and Custom Glass

Back-painted glass in custom colors is available from Moderco. CWS offers laminated safety glass configurations for acoustic performance in the GEMELLI double-pane system. PK-30 supports butt-glazed panels up to 12 feet wide without vertical mullions for maximum glass surface area. Custom glass specifications are coordinated directly with each manufacturer’s engineering team.

Airwall Finishes — Operable Walls Only

Surface Finishes for Vertical Lift Partition Systems

Airwall manufactures electrically operated vertical lift partitions. Their finish options cover the acoustic panel surfaces on a single operable wall product. Airwall does not manufacture demountable walls.

  • Five Finish Categories for the Airwall Vertical Lift System

    Airwall panels accept vinyl, fabric, wood veneer, plastic laminate, and custom finish surfaces. Custom work surfaces can be integrated into panel faces for multipurpose applications. The double-welded steel frame construction is concealed behind the selected panel finish. All Airwall finish options apply to the vertical lift operable wall system only. For demountable wall projects, Moderco NYC recommends CWS, Moderco, or PK-30.

Finish Specification Guide

How to Select the Right Partition Wall Finish for Your NYC Project

  • Architectural floor plans with proposed wall locations finalized
  • Reflected ceiling plans with structural support for operable wall tracks
  • Acoustic performance targets defined per space
  • Finish palette established for adjacent surfaces
  • Operation type confirmed (manual, motorized, or electric)
  • Power and data infrastructure requirements documented for demountable systems
  • Fire-rating requirements verified with AHJ if applicable
  • Project timeline and lead time considerations confirmed
Finish Options From Four Manufacturers

Representing Four Partition Wall Finish Libraries in New York City

Every manufacturer in the Moderco NYC portfolio offers a distinct range of surface finishes. CWS leads with over 130 options. Moderco provides 180+ frame colors for the EXTANZA demountable system. PK-30 accepts any panel material. Airwall covers standard operable wall surfaces. Together, the combined library addresses every commercial interior specification.

Frequently Asked Questions

Partition Wall Finish Questions From Architects and Designers

Answers to the most common finish-related questions we receive during the specification process for NYC commercial partition wall projects.

Request Finish Samples

Ready to Specify Partition Wall Finishes for Your NYC Project

Share your project details and finish preferences with the Moderco NYC team. We coordinate physical samples from all four manufacturers, provide finish-to-product compatibility guidance, and support the specification process from selection through installation. Whether you need Kvadrat fabric for a CWS operable wall or FSC Certified wood veneer for a PK-30 demountable system, our team handles the sourcing.