Florafelt Pro System stainless wire clip mounting.

Florafelt Pro System Installation Guide

Architectural Green Wall System

The Florafelt Pro System is an extremely robust vertical garden system designed for rugged locations.  This guide will show various methods the grids can be mounted to walls or freestanding frames. The support system consists of architectural grade stainless steel 304 wire grids that have life spans beyond 100 years.

 

Sizing

Each grid is 3 feet wide x 2 feet high x 4.25 inches deep. Grids can be cut down easily with bolt cutters for custom sizes. Grids can be overlapped and saddled on to the adjacent panels to fill in areas less than 3 feet wide.

Coverage

Each 3ft x 2ft grid requires one 15-yard roll of 6 inch wide grow strip for adequate coverage. Openings are slightly less than 6″ so the felt fits in snug.

Planting

Openings are sized to receive root wrapped plants. A full 6″ potted plant will fit in nice and snug. Or you can use two of the 4-inch potted plants per pocket. But also, you can add a cup of soil and use just one 4 inch plant per pocket. You can save a lot on cost if you start with seeds, cuttings, or bare root.

 

Wire Grids Mounting Methods

 

Clips Mounting

 

Florafelt Pro System for a Pacific Heights Home by Lindsey Graves of Living Green Design San Francisco.

Use PRovided Stainless Steel Clips for Smaller Projects

Attach wire grid units to the wall using the provided stainless clips. Use appropriate fasteners for your wall.

Our wire grid system is easy to install and can be modified to fit any size wall. Made from high quality 304 stainless steel, they offer a pre-engineered solution for architects and engineers.

Freestanding Support Structure

Build a Post Structure Similar to a Standard Wood Fence

The Florafelt Pro System Kit can be installed as a freestanding installation. Pro grids can be attached directly to standard fence framing using the supplied stainless clips. Or use horizontally mounted galvanized Struts bolted to the vertical posts with the wire grids secured in place with strut clamps. Wood support posts should be spaced and sized for local wind and seismic loads in accordance with local building codes.

 

Florafelt Pro System Wire Grid Mounted with Clips.

Stainless steel clips mounting details

Stainless steel metal clips are included with the Florafelt Pro System. Use them to attach the wire grids directly to the wall surfaces. Use this method for smaller installations in protected areas.

The Florafelt Pro System can be mounted directly on walls that do not require an air gap. Stainless grids are simply mounted using easy-to-use Tapcon Concrete Anchors or other concrete anchors. Grids can be installed with stainless steel clips on moisture tolerant masonry walls or smaller installations where moisture accumulation behind the system is not a concern.

If you install on wood you can use horizontal cedar or treated lumber to every 24″ to create spacers, then attach the wire grids with stainless clips using Treated Deck Screws.

Stainless clips are lightweight and have limited holding strength. If you require an engineered high-strength attachment solution see the Unistrut Mounting Method below.

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Strut Mounting

 

Florafelt Pro System Wire Grid Installation Pre-assembled by Planted Design for San Francisco Zoo living wall installation.

Commercial or Tall Installations

For commercial or very tall installations use ½-inch lag bolts to attach the strut to existing walls. Locate and attach to structural members within the wall. Consult with your local building department to maintain standards for safety.

Florafelt Pro System installation on on concrete.

Pre-assembled Grid Units Make Installation More Efficient

Pre-assemble grids and struts on the ground first. Then bolt the assembled units to the posts. This will save time and ensure a perfect alignment of the struts.

Galvanized Struts Can Be Used in Most Locations

Florafelt Wire Grids and provided strut clamps are made from stainless steel. However, it is fine to use Electroplated Galvanized struts for your project. Galvanized struts are about 1/4 the cost of Stainless Steel 304. You can use Galvanized struts in most weather exposure areas, and it has a 50-100 year life span, longer for interior locations. For seaside or commercial building applications consider Stainless Steel 304 strut systems.

Florafelt Pro System Install on wood siding.

Mount to Wood Siding

For most residential projects of moderate height, attach the struts to your walls using heavy duty deck screws and fender washers. For exterior conditions use waterproof caulk. Also provide washers against the wall to keep the strut away from wall surfaces. When in doubt check with a local licensed building contractor or architectural engineer to advise on safe attachment.

Florafelt Pro System strut support frame.

build your structure using off-the-shelf pre-engineered strut systems

If your installation is very tall or in a public place consider a more robust mounting method.

Struts are a very versatile and pre-engineered construction material. Large and stable structures can be quickly bolted together. The Florafelt Pro Grid System is designed to easily integrate with standard strut design. This makes it easy to create free-standing structures or wall mounted installations. Explore the various strut manufacturer catalogs to learn how you can integrate pre-engineered strut materials into your architectural design.

Pre-engineered strut systems are used to support the grids. Strut pipe clamps secure the edges of the grids using bolted connections. Larger P1000 Strut series can span up to 6 feet and provide support for the structure. Smaller P4100 Strut Series can be used where a continuous wall structure allows for attachments every 2 feet.

 

Florafelt Pro System Wire Grid Strut Mounting Detail

Strut System Detail Drawings

Unistruts are a pre-engineered solution that can easily be applied to large scale projects. This means they can be specified for tall buildings where wind loads or marine environments. The grids are attached with Unistrut pipe clamps that also have pre-engineered specifications which help with building department approvals.

> DOWNLOAD PDF

 

Custom Sizing and Details

 

Florafelt Pro System custom sized grids.

Trim Down Panels to create a custom size

Grids can be cut with bolt cutters and custom sized. It’s best to stick to the 6-inch grid so you’ll get full sized pockets. Plants fluff out so it’s not visually crucial to completely fill the area with grid.

Use a bolt Cutter to Trim Panels

Stainless Steel Wire Grids can be cut with a 36-inch bolt cutter.

Important: File down sharp cut edges

Use extreme caution and use heavy gloves when using tools and handling cut grids that will have extremely sharp edges once they are cut. Use a grinder and/or file to smooth sharp metal edges because they will easily cut you during installation and may harm others once installed.

Finish external corners with an open grid end. Plants can be guided to grow out and fill in the corners. 

Corners Can be Finished with a Seamless Open End

Finish the corners using the folded ends of the grid to create a plantable corner. Use zip ties to attach grids together.

 

Plastic Water Barriers

 

Insert Water Shield

Water shields are slid in from the top or bottom. Fold in the side edges and slide into place. Be sure to overlap the shields toward the front so water will flow into the system. Open the side flaps to lock them in place.

Florafelt Pro System for a Pacific Heights Home by Lindsey Graves of Living Green Design San Francisco.

 

Grow Strip

 

Weave in the Grow Strip

Florafelt Grow strip is woven into the grid using our patented pleated method. Make a guide marked at 5 inches to make pocket depths consistent.

6-inch grow strip is woven into a 6-inch by 6-inch metal grid. The patented system directs moisture inward and keeps the front dry and drip-free.

  • Use 6-inch Grow Strips with custom 6 x 6-inch stainless steel 304 with 1/4″ wire grids to create extremely robust vertical gardens.

  • Or use the pre-assembled Florafelt Pro System Modular Unit to make any size living wall.

  • Engineer mega-scale plant walls.

  • Discover unlimited possibilities.

Use a Depth Gauge to Make all Pockets Consistent

Make a depth gauge from a small rigid plastic card to create even pockets throughout the wall. Use the card as you insert the felt. Pull even tension as you create the pockets. All pockets’ bottoms should align horizontally across the wall. This will ensure even watering once planted.

  • Locate a piece of rigid plastic and cut it to 4″ x 8″ size.

  • Create a mark on the card at 5-inches.

  • Use this depth gauge to make all pockets 5″ depth.

  • Apply tension to the felt evenly as you create the pockets.

  • Use the depth gauge as you insert the felt to ensure all pockets are even.