Green facades: An investment in aesthetics and sustainability

Green facades are becoming increasingly important, especially in the city. Green facades have many positive effects: They are able to cool, insulate and protect against noise – thereby mitigating the negative effects of climate change and traffic. A green facade is also a real eye-catcher.

What are the benefits of green facades?

Various publications have demonstrated the positive effects of greening buildings and facades in particular. The most important effects are:

1. Cooling: There is a clear effect on the local air temperature. The green moderates the temperature (according to case studies by up to 1.3 degrees Celsius).
2. Evaporation: In addition, the green facade increases the evaporation of rainwater (by up to 12 millimetres per day according to case studies).
3. Air quality: Finally, there are positive effects on air quality (according to case studies, particulate matter concentrations are reduced by up to 60 percent and nitrogen dioxide concentrations by up to 40 percent).

The environmental impact is associated with economic effects. For example, the additional layer around the building saves electrical energy that would otherwise have to be used for cooling systems. The benefits for the air and climate in the surrounding area are not only building-related, but also valuable in an urban context – which is another reason why developers who integrate green facades into their planning are eligible for additional funding opportunities.

Types of green facades: ground-based vs. wall-mounted

The way in which green facades can be implemented is constantly evolving. Architecture, urban planning as well as gardening and landscaping are merging in new ways. Modern, modular planting systems often already include solutions for irrigation and the right nutrient substrate composition for the plants. The various systems are:

Choosing the right plants

The companies in our group are experts in the selection and combination of suitable plants for all systems and work closely with the fitters and building technicians during installation to achieve optimum results.

Many different plants are suitable for facade greening, especially for wall-mounted systems. The selection ranges from mosses and perennials to special woody plants and grasses that also do well in a vertical orientation.

Costs and maintenance

The costs for a green facade can be divided into two main items: the costs for installation and the costs for care and maintenance. Experience shows that the installation costs are between € 250 and € 1,000 per square meter, but can also deviate from these figures depending on the project and planning. The maintenance costs are between € 10 and € 40 per square meter per year, but also depend on the system, size, structural conditions and technology.

Regular maintenance work is recommended during the growing season. The work to be carried out regularly includes:

Regular maintenance ensures the long-term effects of the green facades and protects the investment at the same time. Automated irrigation systems can minimize the maintenance effort and maintain the benefits. The regular maintenance work mentioned above can be conducted regularly by the companies in our group.

Project examples from Greenovis member companies

Project examples from Greenovis member companies