If you’ve never heard of green wall panels, don’t worry!
In this article, we’re going to break down what they are and the major impacts they can have on cities, towns, and homes.
The best part about green wall panels is that everyone can incorporate them into their lives.
Let’s dive into a world of greenery so that you can start benefiting from it today.
1. What Are Green Wall Panels?
Green wall panels, also known as vertical gardens or living wall panels, are panels containing plants that are placed on vertical walls.
There are two primary types of green wall systems: panel systems and tray systems.
The panel system can be utilized indoors and outdoors and supports a wide range of plants with different water needs.
Pre-grown plants are placed into the panels that are designed to prevent the soil or plants from falling.
The tray system can also be utilized indoors and outdoors and supports a wide range of plants with different water needs.
Seeds or pre-grown plants are placed into the trays (planter boxes) and hung at an angle in rows along the wall.
Because the plants do not have to be inserted into slots to avoid falling, the plants do not have to be pre-grown like the panel system.
However, because the plants aren’t in a completely vertical position, it’s best to use plants with hanging stems.
Both systems will typically use drip stick assemblies, injecting water directly into the soil.
Some outdoor green walls use spray nozzles to water the plants.
2. What Types of Plants Are Suitable for Green Wall Panels?
Green wall panels are suitable for a wide range of plants.
In addition to the environmental benefits of the green panels, part of the fun is to get creative and design an aesthetically pleasing look.
So, many people or towns will choose plants with lush, vibrant leaves that add texture and color to the wall or grass-like plants that add movement to the wall, enhancing its dynamic qualities.
It is important to choose plants that are full enough to cover the gaps between the slots in the panels.
The fuller the plants, the more complete the green wall panels will appear.
If you’re using the tray system, plants with hanging stems will help cover the trays beneath the plants.
Additionally, be mindful not to pick plants that grow too large, especially for indoor panels.
Big plants will take up more space and may be burdensome.
Green wall panels can include multiple plant species; however, make sure they all require the same amount of sunlight.
Here are some plant suggestions:
Ferns
Perennial flowers
Herbs
Small shrubs
3. Can Green Wall Panels Be Used Indoors?
Green wall panels are a wonderful addition to the inside of homes and offices.
Here are some indoor places where panels can be utilized:
Houses/apartments
Cafes/restaurants
Retail shops
Schools
Airports
Museums
As long as the wall where the panels are installed receives sufficient sunlight for the plant species you choose, there’s no reason green wall panels can’t be used indoors.
Green walls can offer a number of benefits when installed indoors, including improved air quality, noise reduction, humidity regulation, relaxed atmospheres, space optimization, and more.
Typically, humidity-tolerant plants perform the best for indoor panels.
If you’re planning on filling a large wall with green panels, you may want to consider hiring a company to ensure the project is done correctly.
A professional knows what type of plants would work best for the environment and makes sure the water system is adequate.
If you would like to tackle the project yourself, start by designing a small panel to get the hang of it before stepping up to the big leagues.
4. Can Green Wall Panels Be Used Outdoors?
Green wall panels can be used in outdoor spaces; these are often called exterior living walls.
Whether it’s on the exterior wall of a hospital building, on a restaurant patio, or on the exterior of a housing complex, they can do wonders for enhancing aesthetics, improving air quality, and reducing energy consumption.
Exterior panels can host a variety of plants, but the species should be carefully selected for the weather conditions of the area.
Green wall panels may face challenges if installed somewhere that experiences extreme hot and cold temperatures.
In those cases, the panels will require frequent maintenance and care to ensure the survival and longevity of the plants.
Native plants will offer the best performance as they have adapted to the environment.
It’s crucial to make irrigation adjustments prior to cold winter temperatures to prevent water from freezing.
Additionally, the plants may need to be covered to avoid exposure to cold temperatures and frost.
5. Can Green Wall Panels Be Installed on Any Type of Wall?
Green wall panels can be installed on most types of walls, but there are some circumstances to consider before the installation.
Most importantly, the walls need to be strong enough to support the weight of the full-sized plants and wet soil.
Structurally fragile walls could partially collapse if they’re not strong enough.
Here are some considerations when choosing the walls for green panels:
Water resistance: Green wall panels that are designed well shouldn’t cause puddling; however, the panels do introduce moisture to the walls they are installed on.
So, it’s important to choose a wall with a material that won’t absorb water and cause mold.
Load-bearing abilities: The load-bearing abilities of the walls are very important to ensure they can support the weight of the panels.
For large projects, walls may require reinforcement.
If you’re unsure of a wall’s load-bearing abilities, contact a professional green wall installation company or a contractor to verify its strength.
Sunlight availability: How much sunlight the wall receives will determine which plants are suitable for the location.
If the wall is mostly shaded, then you should choose low-light plants.
Or if the wall sees a lot of sunlight, you should choose plants that prefer direct sunlight.
Weather conditions: If the green wall panels are going to be installed outside, you need to consider the weather conditions.
Certain walls may receive more wind than others, making them less suitable choices.
Local regulations: Each municipality will have its own regulations regarding where green wall panels can be installed.
In some cases, certain walls of a building may be off-limits.
Reasons for regulations may be fire safety, aesthetics, and structural concerns.
6. What Are the Advantages?
Green wall panels may just look like a wall of plants, but they offer serious benefits for the inside of homes and buildings and cities as a whole.
So, what positive aspects do these panels bring?
Here are the advantages:
Enhanced Air Quality (Indoor/Outdoor)
Green walls can play an important role in cleaning the air of a home or building and a city.
Plants are able to absorb toxins from the air and increase oxygen levels through photosynthesis.
The panels’ cleansing abilities establish a healthier living environment, which is especially important for people with preexisting respiratory issues.
In addition to other methods, green walls can be a big help in fighting against pollution.
Urban Heat Island Effect Reduction
The immense amount of unnatural materials in cities, such as asphalt roads, cement buildings and sidewalks, and metal structures, cause urban areas to experience hotter temperatures than areas of nature.
By introducing green wall panels to the exterior of buildings, it can help prevent this effect from occurring.
Greenery is able to absorb heat better than unnatural materials, thus creating a cool environment.
Noise Pollution Reduction
Green wall panels can act as an excellent sound buffer.
This is especially beneficial in compact urban areas where traffic and construction noise are constant and disruptive to your well-being.
Buildings with panels in busy areas will have a much calmer and more peaceful environment than those that do not.
Increased Well-Being
Living amongst plants has been shown to positively impact mental health and well-being.
Installing interior and exterior green wall panels could lead to increased focus, reduced stress, and improved mood.
Although improved mental health due to more greenery seems too good to be true, it’s been studied for years, and there is legitimate evidence backing up the claims.
Improved Aesthetics
Green wall panels ramp up the aesthetics of indoor and outdoor spaces.
Blank walls suddenly become lush and live, adding a unique look.
The range of plants that can be used creates an endless amount of possibilities.
Additionally, they can be given wonderful customized designs, such as strips of colorful flowers amongst a sea of green ferns.
7. What Are the Disadvantages?
Despite the clear advantages of green wall panels, they do bring on a few challenges worth noting.
The theme of the disadvantages is time and effort.
Green wall panels do demand strategic planning and maintenance, which should not be overlooked before installing them indoors or outdoors.
Here are the disadvantages:
Costs
Depending on the size of the green wall panels, the initial costs can be quite expensive.
It’s not unusual for large projects to cost tens of thousands of dollars.
Additionally, big projects will require hired labor to perform maintenance and monitoring.
Frequent Maintenance
Whether green wall panels are installed inside or outside, small or large, they require maintenance.
Tasks include checking for pests and diseases, pruning, and fertilizing.
Failing to provide proper care for the plants can cause the green wall to lose its aesthetic appeal and eventually die.
Proper Irrigation
The irrigation system is crucial to the success of the green wall panels.
If the wall receives too much or too little water, it could cause rotting, pest infestations, and plant stress.
The irrigation system of an outdoor panel needs to be frequently adjusted based on the current weather conditions.
Light Availability
Finding adequate lighting can be tricky for indoor green wall panels.
If the wall doesn’t receive enough direct sunlight, it will negatively impact the plants’ health and growth.
Be careful to select specific plants that will thrive with the light available.
Pest Infestations
Green wall panels can become vulnerable to pest infestations if proper maintenance is not in place.
The plants need to be regularly inspected for visible damage, unusual coloration, and distorted growth.
There are several tactics to deal with pests, such as using plants that attract beneficial predators to fight them off.
8. How Much Do Green Wall Panels Cost?
The price of green wall panels greatly varies due to the wide range of project sizes.
Some professional green wall panel companies charge around $300 for a 20 x 20-inch panel.
However, the types of plants used and the intricacy of the design may cause that price to fluctuate.
A panel that’s 500 square feet could cost as much as $30,000–not a cheap endeavor.
But why do these panels cost so much?
Well, the installation process is tedious.
Think of it as having cabinets installed in your home.
The panels have to be leveled, properly drilled into studs, and precisely measured to prevent noticeable gaps.
Of course, you could build and install green wall panels yourself, and the overall price would likely be cheaper.
But you have to take into consideration the quality of work and the longevity of the panels.
9. How Long Do Green Wall Panels Typically Last?
How long green wall panels last depends on the plants used and the structural integrity of the panels.
The panels can last for a number of years as long as they are built with high-quality materials, installed properly, and closely monitored.
Wooden panels that are frequently exposed to water leakage will become moldy and rotten, shortening their lifespans.
In regard to the plants, green wall panels should provide the same comfort as a normal planter.
Some people may choose to use seasonal plants, which would require the plants to be changed periodically.
In general, expect the plants to last at least six months before needing to be replaced.
Final Thoughts
Green wall panels are an exciting interior and exterior décor option that can help tackle a number of urban challenges.
Some of the advantages include noise reduction, improved air quality, enhanced aesthetics, and increased well-being–who doesn’t want that?
When designing a green wall panel, it’s important to be cognizant of how much light a wall receives, how much water the plants demand, and how much maintenance they require.
As the world moves to a greener future, these panels can cultivate spaces that inspire and leave lasting impressions on the people who experience them and the environment around them.
So, take a look around your home or office, and see where you could install a green wall panel and start reaping the benefits.
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Disclaimer: we are not lawyers, accountants or financial advisors and the information in this article is for informational purposes only. This article is based on our own research and experience and we do our best to keep it accurate and up-to-date, but it may contain errors. Please be sure to consult a legal or financial professional before making any investment decisions.
