diff --git a/packages/dockview-core/src/__tests__/gridview/baseComponentGridview.spec.ts b/packages/dockview-core/src/__tests__/gridview/baseComponentGridview.spec.ts
index d8ed45209..3ab49faa7 100644
--- a/packages/dockview-core/src/__tests__/gridview/baseComponentGridview.spec.ts
+++ b/packages/dockview-core/src/__tests__/gridview/baseComponentGridview.spec.ts
@@ -105,6 +105,21 @@ class ClassUnderTest extends BaseGrid<TestPanel> {
 }
 
 describe('baseComponentGridview', () => {
+    test('that the container is not removed when grid is disposed', () => {
+        const root = document.createElement('div');
+        const container = document.createElement('div');
+        root.appendChild(container);
+
+        const cut = new ClassUnderTest(container, {
+            orientation: Orientation.HORIZONTAL,
+            proportionalLayout: true,
+        });
+
+        cut.dispose();
+
+        expect(container.parentElement).toBe(root);
+    });
+
     test('that .layout(...) force flag works', () => {
         const cut = new ClassUnderTest(document.createElement('div'), {
             orientation: Orientation.HORIZONTAL,
diff --git a/packages/dockview-core/src/__tests__/paneview/paneviewComponent.spec.ts b/packages/dockview-core/src/__tests__/paneview/paneviewComponent.spec.ts
index 77a58712b..8cfc7fc2e 100644
--- a/packages/dockview-core/src/__tests__/paneview/paneviewComponent.spec.ts
+++ b/packages/dockview-core/src/__tests__/paneview/paneviewComponent.spec.ts
@@ -67,6 +67,27 @@ describe('componentPaneview', () => {
         container.className = 'container';
     });
 
+    test('that the container is not removed when grid is disposed', () => {
+        const root = document.createElement('div');
+        const container = document.createElement('div');
+        root.appendChild(container);
+
+        const paneview = new PaneviewComponent(container, {
+            createComponent: (options) => {
+                switch (options.name) {
+                    case 'default':
+                        return new TestPanel(options.id, options.name);
+                    default:
+                        throw new Error('unsupported');
+                }
+            },
+        });
+
+        paneview.dispose();
+
+        expect(container.parentElement).toBe(root);
+    });
+
     test('vertical panels', () => {
         const disposables = new CompositeDisposable();
 
@@ -293,40 +314,6 @@ describe('componentPaneview', () => {
         disposable.dispose();
     });
 
-    test('dispose of paneviewComponent', () => {
-        expect(container.childNodes.length).toBe(0);
-
-        const paneview = new PaneviewComponent(container, {
-            createComponent: (options) => {
-                switch (options.name) {
-                    case 'default':
-                        return new TestPanel(options.id, options.name);
-                    default:
-                        throw new Error('unsupported');
-                }
-            },
-        });
-
-        paneview.layout(1000, 1000);
-
-        paneview.addPanel({
-            id: 'panel1',
-            component: 'default',
-            title: 'Panel 1',
-        });
-        paneview.addPanel({
-            id: 'panel2',
-            component: 'default',
-            title: 'Panel 2',
-        });
-
-        expect(container.childNodes.length).toBeGreaterThan(0);
-
-        paneview.dispose();
-
-        expect(container.childNodes.length).toBe(0);
-    });
-
     test('panel is disposed of when component is disposed', () => {
         const paneview = new PaneviewComponent(container, {
             createComponent: (options) => {
@@ -606,10 +593,10 @@ describe('componentPaneview', () => {
             className: 'test-a test-b',
         });
 
-        expect(paneview.element.className).toBe('container test-a test-b');
+        expect(paneview.element.className).toBe('test-a test-b');
 
         paneview.updateOptions({ className: 'test-b test-c' });
 
-        expect(paneview.element.className).toBe('container test-b test-c');
+        expect(paneview.element.className).toBe('test-b test-c');
     });
 });
diff --git a/packages/dockview-core/src/__tests__/splitview/splitviewComponent.spec.ts b/packages/dockview-core/src/__tests__/splitview/splitviewComponent.spec.ts
index 6ab1415b2..90d0b3986 100644
--- a/packages/dockview-core/src/__tests__/splitview/splitviewComponent.spec.ts
+++ b/packages/dockview-core/src/__tests__/splitview/splitviewComponent.spec.ts
@@ -26,6 +26,28 @@ describe('componentSplitview', () => {
         container.className = 'container';
     });
 
+    test('that the container is not removed when grid is disposed', () => {
+        const root = document.createElement('div');
+        const container = document.createElement('div');
+        root.appendChild(container);
+
+        const splitview = new SplitviewComponent(container, {
+            orientation: Orientation.VERTICAL,
+            createComponent: (options) => {
+                switch (options.name) {
+                    case 'default':
+                        return new TestPanel(options.id, options.name);
+                    default:
+                        throw new Error('unsupported');
+                }
+            },
+        });
+
+        splitview.dispose();
+
+        expect(container.parentElement).toBe(root);
+    });
+
     test('event leakage', () => {
         Emitter.setLeakageMonitorEnabled(true);
 
@@ -451,39 +473,6 @@ describe('componentSplitview', () => {
         disposable.dispose();
     });
 
-    test('dispose of splitviewComponent', () => {
-        expect(container.childNodes.length).toBe(0);
-
-        const splitview = new SplitviewComponent(container, {
-            orientation: Orientation.HORIZONTAL,
-            createComponent: (options) => {
-                switch (options.name) {
-                    case 'default':
-                        return new TestPanel(options.id, options.name);
-                    default:
-                        throw new Error('unsupported');
-                }
-            },
-        });
-
-        splitview.layout(1000, 1000);
-
-        splitview.addPanel({
-            id: 'panel1',
-            component: 'default',
-        });
-        splitview.addPanel({
-            id: 'panel2',
-            component: 'default',
-        });
-
-        expect(container.childNodes.length).toBeGreaterThan(0);
-
-        splitview.dispose();
-
-        expect(container.childNodes.length).toBe(0);
-    });
-
     test('panel is disposed of when component is disposed', () => {
         const splitview = new SplitviewComponent(container, {
             orientation: Orientation.HORIZONTAL,
@@ -736,10 +725,10 @@ describe('componentSplitview', () => {
             className: 'test-a test-b',
         });
 
-        expect(splitview.element.className).toBe('container test-a test-b');
+        expect(splitview.element.className).toBe('test-a test-b');
 
         splitview.updateOptions({ className: 'test-b test-c' });
 
-        expect(splitview.element.className).toBe('container test-b test-c');
+        expect(splitview.element.className).toBe('test-b test-c');
     });
 });
diff --git a/packages/dockview-core/src/dockview/dockviewComponent.ts b/packages/dockview-core/src/dockview/dockviewComponent.ts
index 63915751d..305b73536 100644
--- a/packages/dockview-core/src/dockview/dockviewComponent.ts
+++ b/packages/dockview-core/src/dockview/dockviewComponent.ts
@@ -368,8 +368,8 @@ export class DockviewComponent
         return this._floatingGroups;
     }
 
-    constructor(parentElement: HTMLElement, options: DockviewComponentOptions) {
-        super(parentElement, {
+    constructor(container: HTMLElement, options: DockviewComponentOptions) {
+        super(container, {
             proportionalLayout: true,
             orientation: Orientation.HORIZONTAL,
             styles: options.hideBorders
diff --git a/packages/dockview-core/src/gridview/baseComponentGridview.ts b/packages/dockview-core/src/gridview/baseComponentGridview.ts
index 537435310..93779f5a0 100644
--- a/packages/dockview-core/src/gridview/baseComponentGridview.ts
+++ b/packages/dockview-core/src/gridview/baseComponentGridview.ts
@@ -155,14 +155,17 @@ export abstract class BaseGrid<T extends IGridPanelView>
         this.gridview.locked = value;
     }
 
-    constructor(parentElement: HTMLElement, options: BaseGridOptions) {
-        super(parentElement, options.disableAutoResizing);
+    constructor(container: HTMLElement, options: BaseGridOptions) {
+        super(document.createElement('div'), options.disableAutoResizing);
         this.element.style.height = '100%';
         this.element.style.width = '100%';
 
         this._classNames = new Classnames(this.element);
         this._classNames.setClassNames(options.className ?? '');
 
+        // the container is owned by the third-party, do not modify/delete it
+        container.appendChild(this.element);
+
         this.gridview = new Gridview(
             !!options.proportionalLayout,
             options.styles,
diff --git a/packages/dockview-core/src/gridview/gridviewComponent.ts b/packages/dockview-core/src/gridview/gridviewComponent.ts
index 00084ce44..80df754bd 100644
--- a/packages/dockview-core/src/gridview/gridviewComponent.ts
+++ b/packages/dockview-core/src/gridview/gridviewComponent.ts
@@ -113,8 +113,8 @@ export class GridviewComponent
         this._deserializer = value;
     }
 
-    constructor(parentElement: HTMLElement, options: GridviewComponentOptions) {
-        super(parentElement, {
+    constructor(container: HTMLElement, options: GridviewComponentOptions) {
+        super(container, {
             proportionalLayout: options.proportionalLayout ?? true,
             orientation: options.orientation,
             styles: options.hideBorders
diff --git a/packages/dockview-core/src/paneview/paneviewComponent.ts b/packages/dockview-core/src/paneview/paneviewComponent.ts
index 86c87a690..b47ca0181 100644
--- a/packages/dockview-core/src/paneview/paneviewComponent.ts
+++ b/packages/dockview-core/src/paneview/paneviewComponent.ts
@@ -195,8 +195,10 @@ export class PaneviewComponent extends Resizable implements IPaneviewComponent {
         return this._options;
     }
 
-    constructor(parentElement: HTMLElement, options: PaneviewComponentOptions) {
-        super(parentElement, options.disableAutoResizing);
+    constructor(container: HTMLElement, options: PaneviewComponentOptions) {
+        super(document.createElement('div'), options.disableAutoResizing);
+        this.element.style.height = '100%';
+        this.element.style.width = '100%';
 
         this.addDisposables(
             this._onDidLayoutChange,
@@ -210,6 +212,9 @@ export class PaneviewComponent extends Resizable implements IPaneviewComponent {
         this._classNames = new Classnames(this.element);
         this._classNames.setClassNames(options.className ?? '');
 
+        // the container is owned by the third-party, do not modify/delete it
+        container.appendChild(this.element);
+
         this._options = options;
 
         this.paneview = new Paneview(this.element, {
diff --git a/packages/dockview-core/src/splitview/splitview.ts b/packages/dockview-core/src/splitview/splitview.ts
index fc5857d08..77fbb9cf5 100644
--- a/packages/dockview-core/src/splitview/splitview.ts
+++ b/packages/dockview-core/src/splitview/splitview.ts
@@ -32,7 +32,7 @@ export interface ISplitviewStyles {
 }
 
 export interface SplitViewOptions {
-    orientation: Orientation;
+    orientation?: Orientation;
     descriptor?: ISplitViewDescriptor;
     proportionalLayout?: boolean;
     styles?: ISplitviewStyles;
@@ -225,7 +225,7 @@ export class Splitview {
         private readonly container: HTMLElement,
         options: SplitViewOptions
     ) {
-        this._orientation = options.orientation;
+        this._orientation = options.orientation ?? Orientation.VERTICAL;
         this.element = this.createContainer();
 
         this.margin = options.margin ?? 0;
diff --git a/packages/dockview-core/src/splitview/splitviewComponent.ts b/packages/dockview-core/src/splitview/splitviewComponent.ts
index 5e988c422..a165ba4b3 100644
--- a/packages/dockview-core/src/splitview/splitviewComponent.ts
+++ b/packages/dockview-core/src/splitview/splitviewComponent.ts
@@ -155,15 +155,17 @@ export class SplitviewComponent
             : this.splitview.orthogonalSize;
     }
 
-    constructor(
-        parentElement: HTMLElement,
-        options: SplitviewComponentOptions
-    ) {
-        super(parentElement, options.disableAutoResizing);
+    constructor(container: HTMLElement, options: SplitviewComponentOptions) {
+        super(document.createElement('div'), options.disableAutoResizing);
+        this.element.style.height = '100%';
+        this.element.style.width = '100%';
 
         this._classNames = new Classnames(this.element);
         this._classNames.setClassNames(options.className ?? '');
 
+        // the container is owned by the third-party, do not modify/delete it
+        container.appendChild(this.element);
+
         this._options = options;
 
         this.splitview = new Splitview(this.element, options);
diff --git a/packages/dockview/src/dockview/dockview.tsx b/packages/dockview/src/dockview/dockview.tsx
index fefc605f1..2e4e2fc57 100644
--- a/packages/dockview/src/dockview/dockview.tsx
+++ b/packages/dockview/src/dockview/dockview.tsx
@@ -318,11 +318,7 @@ export const DockviewReact = React.forwardRef(
         }, [props.prefixHeaderActionsComponent]);
 
         return (
-            <div
-                className={props.className}
-                style={{ height: '100%', width: '100%' }}
-                ref={domRef}
-            >
+            <div style={{ height: '100%', width: '100%' }} ref={domRef}>
                 {portals}
             </div>
         );
diff --git a/packages/dockview/src/gridview/gridview.tsx b/packages/dockview/src/gridview/gridview.tsx
index 60b172651..9bc9dd60b 100644
--- a/packages/dockview/src/gridview/gridview.tsx
+++ b/packages/dockview/src/gridview/gridview.tsx
@@ -126,11 +126,7 @@ export const GridviewReact = React.forwardRef(
         }, [props.components]);
 
         return (
-            <div
-                className={props.className}
-                style={{ height: '100%', width: '100%' }}
-                ref={domRef}
-            >
+            <div style={{ height: '100%', width: '100%' }} ref={domRef}>
                 {portals}
             </div>
         );
diff --git a/packages/dockview/src/paneview/paneview.tsx b/packages/dockview/src/paneview/paneview.tsx
index 34ab300b9..e0d49d98d 100644
--- a/packages/dockview/src/paneview/paneview.tsx
+++ b/packages/dockview/src/paneview/paneview.tsx
@@ -176,11 +176,7 @@ export const PaneviewReact = React.forwardRef(
         }, [props.onDidDrop]);
 
         return (
-            <div
-                className={props.className}
-                style={{ height: '100%', width: '100%' }}
-                ref={domRef}
-            >
+            <div style={{ height: '100%', width: '100%' }} ref={domRef}>
                 {portals}
             </div>
         );
diff --git a/packages/dockview/src/splitview/splitview.tsx b/packages/dockview/src/splitview/splitview.tsx
index 63d2cf5d9..bb8593381 100644
--- a/packages/dockview/src/splitview/splitview.tsx
+++ b/packages/dockview/src/splitview/splitview.tsx
@@ -126,11 +126,7 @@ export const SplitviewReact = React.forwardRef(
         }, [props.components]);
 
         return (
-            <div
-                className={props.className}
-                style={{ height: '100%', width: '100%' }}
-                ref={domRef}
-            >
+            <div style={{ height: '100%', width: '100%' }} ref={domRef}>
                 {portals}
             </div>
         );