Climbing trees and shrubs at the base of walls are a super solution -- inexpensive, easy to maintain, and environmentally friendly to boot. Already existing graffiti can, of course, also be covered.
And if the monument authority has concerns: isn't well-maintained greenery always better than a graffitied façade?
The problem of graffiti is forcing architects and planners to completely rethink the base area of new buildings in city centres. It is important not to ‘provide’ any wall surfaces for graffiti from the outset. Slats or mesh panels, designed to support future greenery, have proved highly effective in this regard!
Prevention is better than cure... In most cases, the greenery is only intended to protect the base area, which requires regular trimming. Often, a few wires from the 1020, 1060 or 8010 cable systems are needed to secure stubborn shoots to the wall initially. A simple kit is usually sufficient for this. Mesh mats, on the other hand, are particularly robust. Painted plants, i.e. floral motifs, are also an effective form of graffiti protection; see below.
Sometimes the damage has already been done...
To protect a freshly de-grafittid wall, trellising roses and pyracantha (scarlet firethorn) can work wonders. It's no fun in the dark for sprayers to run up against their sharp thorns that tear into expensive brand name apparel. Evergreen climbers are interesting here. Small, low-maintenance winter creeper is another good option; it remains limited to the base areas with only moderate growth, yet requires little pruning.
Removing graffiti is expensive, and its stucco or protective coatings may be removed with the grafitti in the process. This or the painting itself can reduce the wall's natural breathability, hindering the water vapor permeability, which in turn can lead to delamination/spalling in certain kinds of masonry. It may then be better to leave the graffiti on the wall and to conceal it by greening over it. Ivy, Virginia creeper, and Boston ivy can quickly cover a wall. Be aware though-- uncontrolled growth can lead to eventual structural damage, namely in buildings where construction or plaster is already compromised.
For optimal protection of facades, choose the thorniest and most vigorous, slowest growing evergreens, or a climber with at least two of these factors...
A particularly low-maintenance, inexpensive graffiti prevention ~ have the facade painted in plant or floral motifs! Here's some inspiration...
Fassadengrün is a commercial supplier of stainless steel wire rope systems in Germany, Europe and overseas. Information about: Which plants are suitable, are climbing aids necessary, should they be made of wood or metal? Here at FassadenGrün you will find all the information you need from a single source.
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