Green wall & vertical greening of buildings
The green wall is an aesthetic solution for the cladding and thermal insulation of certain facades. A planted façade generates a strong visual impactbut also helps to generate islands of freshnessand protect biodiversity while well-being of users. LE PRIEURE has specialized in facades since 2008, and today masters all vertical planting techniques.
Future-proof solutions for your buildings
Do you still have questions about vertical planting?
What's the difference between a green wall and a climbing façade?
The gabion plant wall is a planting technique that consists of placing pre-cultivated modules on a facade to create a sort of planted “double-skin”. The aesthetic result is immediate, but changes with the seasons. This type of installation requires very regular maintenance.
A climbing façade involves guiding plants along a façade. The support can be a trellis, a net or stainless steel cables. This system also requires regular, but less frequent, maintenance. With deciduous plants, the façade can be bushy in summer to create shade, and sparse in winter to let in light.
Climbers take a long time to grow. You have to be patient to see them reach maturity.
How much does it cost to maintain a green wall?
To be well maintained and create the expected “wow” effect, a green wall needs to be closely monitored. Irrigation control, regular visual checks, rapid intervention in the event of problems… The location of the wall, its orientation in relation to the wind, sun exposure, ambient humidity and many other parameters need to be checked during the design phase, and again once the wall has been installed. Also, high walls require the use of gondolas or rope access for maintenance, which can considerably increase costs.
The cost of maintaining a green wall must be taken into account before any project is considered.
Does the green wall let in light?
Whether using gabions or another technique, a planted “wall” remains a “wall”. If installed on a facade with windows, openings can be created. On the other hand, if the windows are not skirted, the plant wall will obscure them.
The climbing façade lets the light through, and can easily be installed in front of glass. A mix of perennial and deciduous plants allows you to play with the light as the seasons change.
Is it less complicated to maintain a climbing façade?
A façade planted with climbing plants also needs to be maintained and monitored. The trellising of climbers, their adaptation to the climate and environment, and their rate of growth all need to be monitored. On the other hand, watering systems and maintenance methods are often less complex than for green walls.
Nevertheless, the design phase, as well as follow-up and maintenance, remain the keys to the success of a beautiful facade.
