Green facades

Stainless-steel bar-and-wire-rope systems enable us to quickly turn an austere edifice into an aesthetically pleasing and environmentally friendly living wall of climbers, shrubs or trained trees.

This isn’t just about looks: green façades can help reduce buildings heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer, saving on energy costs; and protect the wall from extreme weather and ultraviolet light.

See: the Living wall FAQ for more benefits of green façades. Read a case study.

It is a fact of life that office blocks, shopping centres, distribution centres and car parks have to be built.

Living walls mitigate the visual and environmental impact of commercial developments. They mask eyesores, while helping to reduce noise, water and air pollution and reducing the Urban Heat Island Effect.

Pritchard & Pritchard is the UK’s leading installer of Jakob stainless-steel bar-and-wire-rope trellis and stainless-steel fencing systems, supplied through our partners MMA Architectural Systems.

See: the Living wall FAQ for more benefits of green façades.

The hanging wall takes a top down approach to living walls.

Trailing plants (including climbers such as ivy, Trachelospermum, Virginia creeper) are planted in planters at the top of a wall or affixed to a wall (e.g. window box or balcony), and allowed to dangle down the wall.

As with any planters, hanging walls require an irrigation system and a maintenance program.

See the case study.

Both local authorities – including the Mayor of London – encourage developers to include living walls (green facades) for the positive environmental impact on:

• The building through saving energy for heating and cooling.
• The wider environment through reducing the Urban Heat Island effect, pollution, light pollution, run-off.
• Helping to mitigate the impact of construction on the environment and local flora and fauna.

Using native plants helps earn BREEAM credits and living walls can be included in the ‘Enhancing site ecology’ assessment where there is a maintenance contract. Now also featured in Biodiversity Net Gain guidance living walls can play a valuable role in replacing biodiversity lost during development and construction.

See: The Living wall FAQ for more benefits of green façades.

Green facades and hanging walls require considerably less maintenance than modular green walls, but a maintenance package is recommended.

Maintenance requirements include: irrigation; fertilizing; weeding; pruning; replacement planting or seeding; checking irrigation and drainage systems and pest control.

See: Green wall maintenance for more information.

All your green facades questions answered by the living wall gurus:

• How is a green façade constructed?
• What are the benefits of a green façade?
• What is the difference between a living wall, green wall, green façade or a vertical garden?

Consult our essential FAQ.