One other approach to this launched over the years has been the introduction of so-called green walls. These planted up exterior provide a barrier between the wall and the elements, increase the foliage presence, and also absorb a lot of the water from heavy rainfall.
However, their longevity has come under fire from an architect who thinks that they are not sustainable in the long run.
While clarifying his view that they are often a helpful addition to some buildings with regards to aesthetics and their air-cleaning nature, he said he felt they didn’t amount to a good way to improve the sustainability of urban environments.
“Certainly, introducing landscaping inside a building has a functional purpose in that it cleans the air and provides a visual relief in internal spaces,” he told The Australian newspaper.
“But where it’s just placed on the outside of a building, just to conceal a car park, it’s not a responsible use of how to make a city more green.”
Despite this recent research has shown that green walls can significantly lower the temperature of buildings in hotter climates. Not ideal in the UK perhaps, but a strong perk in places like Australia where the majority of a home’s fuel bill will come from cooling the building.
If you need some help deciding on the best external wall finish for your home, then get in touch and we can help you figure out what is best for you.