Green walls have unique challenges that are often glossed over. It is important to be aware of the problems as well as the solutions. For more information on Challenges and Criticisms of Green Walls, visit http://verticalfoodblog.com

1. Challenges and Criticisms of Green Walls
Green Walls are Expensive
At an average of $100-150 per square foot, plus a maintenance fee of between 8-10 percent
of the cost of installation, not to mention the cost of water and electricity required to run
irrigation systems and provide supplemental lighting, people begin to think that maybe steel
and concrete don’t look so bad after all.
Solutions:
For small businesses and individuals, the figures for installation and maintenance seem to
put green walls completely out of reach.
The demand for smaller scale green wall installations is growing and businesses are working
to meet that need.
The technology is improving and as the systems are streamlined, we will probably see more
economically feasible options for business owners and hobbyists.
While critics tend to object primarily to the high cost of green walls, I have to wonder if
anyone has asked how high the cost of not incorporating greenery into our cities would be.
Installing and Supporting a Green Wall Requires an Architecture Degree
Soil cells are one option for green walls
Green walls built with soil cells can weigh between 16 and 20 lbs. per square foot after they
are planted.

2. The weight of green walls can be intimidating. Most of us wouldn’t be comfortable
calculating loads and factoring in support for additional weight from rain, snow and the
stresses of high winds.
For large installations, it is true that an understanding of architecture is a prerequisite.
Smaller situations only require careful planning and a little common sense to choose the
best option for a given location.
Solutions:
There are many approaches to reducing weight. Light weight recycled plastics and media
with a high percentage of air space decrease total weight considerably.
Many of Patrick Blanc’s walls have a very narrow profile. In some cases, the substrate
supporting the plants has a depth of only two inches and, when planted, the walls weigh
roughly 6 lbs. per square foot.
Innovators in the field are using everything from felt to foam to keep weight to a minimum
and increase the installation options for consumers.
Green Walls Need Too Much Maintenance

3. Living Wall by Green over Grey
Those who condemn the incorporation of green walls as an overblown new fashion often
point out the time and trouble of maintenance.
They cite the difficulty of isolating disease and pest problems, the loss of aesthetic appeal
when plants die, and the intensity of labor just to get access to the walls to do maintenance
checks and replace plants as needed.
You might also read about the build-up of salts that results from evaporation producing a
toxic environment for plants.
Solutions:
Modular systems answer many of the difficulties of maintenance. Walls built with
removable panels allow for the quick isolation of any area that may be in need of extra
attention because of pests or disease.
Moving panels also answer issues of plant replacement, making it a much simpler task to
adjust, improve or repair the surface design of a green wall.
As long as the wall receives proper yearly maintenance, salination can be kept under
control.
Accessing green walls that have been installed after the fact is a challenge, but as more and
more architects incorporate green walls into their designs we are seeing buildings with
incredible innovations for behind the scenes access to multi-story green walls.
In conclusion
We hope this information provides a realistic counterpoint to all of the enthusiasm about
green walls. Like parks, gardens or any other green space, green walls require time,
maintenance and money.
The great news is that none of the challenges are insurmountable and the industry seems
to attract people who are dedicated, creative and bent on making a positive contribution.
We have a great deal to look forward to as technology and innovative design make the
benefits of green walls increasingly accessible.
For more information, visit http://verticalfoodblog.com