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Treatment Options

Party Wall Solutions

Detailed information on each finishing treatment option — what each involves, when it's appropriate, and what factors to consider when comparing them.

Application of elastomeric waterproof paint on a building party wall showing smooth coverage and moisture protection in an Argentine urban setting
Most accessible

Waterproof Paint Treatment

Elastomeric anti-humidity coatings are applied directly to the prepared render surface. They create a flexible, waterproof membrane that accommodates minor structural movement and prevents moisture penetration. Available in a wide range of colours, allowing for a significant aesthetic improvement alongside the protective function.

  • Relatively straightforward application process
  • Wide colour range for aesthetic flexibility
  • Suitable for walls with sound render and minor to moderate humidity
  • Lower cost compared to cladding systems
  • Requires render to be in adequate structural condition
Modern ventilated facade cladding system installed on a building exterior showing composite panel installation with visible air gap for moisture control
Technical solution

Ventilated Cladding System

A ventilated façade system consists of an outer cladding panel — ceramic, composite aluminium, natural stone, or fibre cement — fixed to a substructure attached to the wall, with an air gap between the cladding and the wall surface. This air gap allows moisture to drain and evaporate, eliminating the conditions that cause capillary humidity in the underlying wall.

  • Addresses capillary humidity at source
  • Improves thermal insulation of the building envelope
  • Contemporary aesthetic with diverse material options
  • Can be installed over deteriorated render without full removal
  • Higher investment than paint; requires structural assessment
Lush vertical garden covering a building party wall in an Argentine city showing modular planting system with diverse green plants creating a living facade
Living surface

Vertical Garden

Modular vertical garden systems use lightweight panels or pocket systems fixed to the wall surface to support a variety of plant species. The result is a living surface that transforms the visual character of the party wall while contributing to urban biodiversity, reducing the urban heat island effect, and providing a degree of thermal insulation.

  • Distinctive visual transformation
  • Contributes to urban biodiversity and thermal comfort
  • Can increase perceived property value
  • Requires ongoing maintenance and irrigation system
  • Plant selection must suit local climate and sun exposure
Large-scale artistic mural painted on an Argentine building party wall showing vibrant colours and abstract geometric design transforming the urban streetscape
Cultural value

Artistic Mural

Commissioning a mural from a visual artist transforms the party wall into a public artwork. The process involves developing a brief that reflects the building's context and the consortium's preferences, identifying suitable artists, reviewing proposals, and supervising execution. Exterior murals use UV-resistant paints applied to a properly prepared surface.

  • Creates a distinctive neighbourhood landmark
  • Supports local artists and cultural identity
  • Can be combined with protective base coatings
  • Requires consensus within the consortium on artistic direction
  • Longevity depends on paint quality and surface preparation
Decision Factors

Factors that influence which solution fits each situation

No single solution is right for every party wall. The appropriate choice depends on a combination of technical, economic, and contextual factors.

The structural condition of the existing render is a primary determinant. Waterproof paint requires a sound render substrate. Severely deteriorated or detached render may need partial or full removal before any finishing treatment, or may make a ventilated cladding system more appropriate as it can be fixed to the wall structure directly.
Surface humidity from rain exposure can often be addressed with waterproof paint. Capillary humidity rising from the base of the wall, or humidity resulting from structural issues, may require a ventilated system that addresses the moisture pathway rather than simply coating the surface.
The visual context matters. A mural or vertical garden may be highly appropriate in a residential neighbourhood with precedents for artistic interventions; the same treatment might feel out of place in a commercial district where a clean, contemporary cladding finish is more consistent with surroundings.
The investment range across the four options varies significantly. Waterproof paint is typically the most accessible option; ventilated cladding systems represent a larger investment with corresponding technical and thermal benefits. The consortium's available budget and willingness to invest are practical constraints that shape which options are viable.
Vertical gardens require ongoing maintenance: irrigation, plant replacement, and periodic system inspection. If the consortium doesn't have the capacity or inclination to maintain a living system, a lower-maintenance option may be more practical regardless of its aesthetic appeal.

Not sure which option fits your building?

That's exactly what our assessment process is for. Contact us and we'll explain how we evaluate each party wall on its specific merits.