Green facades can look back on a long history. Ancient temples were already decorated with vines and medieval monastery walls were given more color by ivy growth. Farmhouses shine with a special charm when they are overgrown with perennials.
Self-climbing plants can cause damage to the facade
prevent damage
A nightmare for every homeowner is damage that can be caused by plant growth on facades. With good preparation and the right choice of plants, the worries are unfounded, because negative effects occur through incorrect implementation and on already damaged substrates.
strong gorge
Some plants are characterized by strong growth in thickness. This group includes tree shrike, knotweed, and wisteria. They entwine and grow behind components and can literally crush and blast them off. In order to prevent such damage, you should ensure that there is sufficient distance between the climbing aid and the facade. In most cases, a distance of 50 to 100 centimeters is sufficient. Be sure to leave a gap of two meters between them.
self climber
Some plants develop special adhesive organs with which they attach themselves to the ground. Ivy is the classic representative of this group. The plant leaves unsightly residues when the green cover is removed. There is an additional risk with emulsion paints and damaged surfaces, because the climbing plants can peel off the plaster and paint. Lime cement plaster of the DIN standard 18550 is recommended, because it withstands the growth.
lightflyer
This category occupies a special position because both strong climbers and self-climbers can prove to be negatively phototropic. Their shoot tips grow into dark cracks and crevices, where they massively damage the structure. Roller shutter boxes and ventilation openings as well as facade cracks are endangered by such plants. Before choosing plants, check whether there could be any dangers on the house wall.
Advantages of facade greening
Plants not only make a monotonous wall disappear behind a dense splendor of leaves. They also provide color and increase biodiversity in the garden. But they also prove to be positive for the building itself:
- dense foliage acts as a weather coat
- Roots draw water from the soil and keep the base of the wall dry
- Leaves intercept road noise
- Growth prevents house walls from overheating in summer
- Impenetrable branches protect facades from cooling down in winter