One way to add some nature into your interior design is to include green walls. Green walls or trellises could be the backdrop to your office reception area, overlay one wall in your home, or add a boundary wall to your outdoor living space. In urban environments, a green façade can even soften the severity of skyscrapers or parking structures.
Some of the most popular green facades are living walls that may survive on a hydroponic system and installed as “vertical gardens.” Another type is 2D green façades or trellises which are comprised of system of tensioned cables, rods, grid, nets, or fences. The next type is 3D green façades, allowing unique design capabilities along the length, width, and depth of the wall. These 3D facades are typically 4’ wide panels, but custom widths are available. Even increments are better for custom panels. The depths are commonly 3” deep, while the length is 14’ maximum for one panel.
Most green walls have some corrosion resistance. Blow through of small items like leaves are usually allowed for in the spaces within the structure. There are also select green walls that have powder coating on steel material. Green walls are attached using chips, brackets, and wing nuts. Adjustable clips are used for uneven surfaces.
Green walls are a way to add biophilia or biomimicry into the design of your space. In a city, using green façades can help to reduce the urban heat island by the shade preventing the buildup of heat. Another benefit on the exterior of the building is these green areas help to capture runoff. A building seeking LEED certification may be eligible for Energy & Atmosphere, Water & Efficiency, and Material Resources through Sustainable Sites section.
Green walls can be wall mounted, freestanding, columns, planter, or custom designs. One type of green wall is wall mounted, usually on a concrete or masonry structure. Wall mounted green walls generally range from $13 to $18 per sq. ft. for material only. Another is free standing which can be used for a number of purposes. Freestanding walls could be for security or living fences, as a primary wall, used as a shading device. These are also used for a backdrop to alfresco dining. Columns are the next type which have a maximum height is 14’ with a 2’ spread. Columns may also be stacked.
Planters options include above ground, trellis mounted, or stationary types. There are multiple configurations possible. Green wall planters also require special liners. If none of the other green wall types suit your space, you could use a custom type. Custom sizes and shape could be built for green dividers, cabanas, building shapes, or radius shapes, etc. Any fencing should be joined with posts. Also, there will need to be irrigation and drainage methods designed into the system.