Exterior VS Interior Murals

Wall murals are an excellent tool to deliver character and beauty to any kind of space. Perhaps you want to bring harmony and charm into your home, or maybe you want to highlight your business in an imaginative and artistic way. In both cases, wall murals can be the perfect answer.

A business may be deciding between an exterior or an interior mural. Do you want to utilize the available outdoor space to project your brand identity? Or do you prefer to bring the message indoors using an interior mural that your visitors can enjoy while in the office? An individual, on the other hand, might be deciding how to best utilize a mural within the home - in the living room, in the kids’ room, the hallways, or outside the home facing the garden?

In any case, at Wall and Wall, we offer both interior and exterior murals! However, the process as well as the requirements of each type of mural in terms of permits, materials, and tools may differ. Let's go through a list of factors that may come into play when deciding between the two options:

1. Permits. When creating an exterior mural, a permit almost will always be necessary.

Let's take San Francisco (and its reputation for great street art) as an example of the bureaucratic process. Murals in San Francisco are governed by a number of different elements. If the mural is on private property and financed with private funds, an approval from the Arts Commission is not needed. In other cases, the Arts Commission has to review mural proposals to ensure aesthetic quality, design integrity, etc., in order to determine that the work is appropriate for its setting, architecture and social context. Apart from the Art Commission requirements, permits for the specific location of the mural have to be gathered from the appropriate City agency. In cases where exterior murals are located on private property, the landlord must approve. These requirements may prolong the process. In the case of interior murals, the only obligation is proof of private insurance from the wall mural painter to cover any possible damage caused during the painting process.

2. Tools. Producing wall murals in exterior spaces may require special tools. The height of exterior walls may require scaffolding, while interior murals may only call for scissor lifts. Exterior murals that exceed a height of 9 feet necessitate the use of scaffolding, not only to make the work possible, but also to guarantee the safety of the wall mural painter.

3. Weather conditions. Target dates for exterior murals may need to be more flexible than with interior murals. Unpredictable weather conditions can sometimes limit the pace of work. The availability of natural light and the outdoor temperature can impact the number of working hours the wall mural painter can count on depending on the time of the year. While an unexpected downpour may mean a delay of a few hours in the painting process, a sunny day can have the opposite effect by providing the ideal temperature for faster paint drying.

4. Detail. Murals in exterior locations are typically made to be seen from far distances, so small design details are not as important as in interior murals designs, which are made to be enjoyed from a close distance. In exterior murals, the design process pays more attention to the fusion of forms and messaging with the particular environment where it will be shown. Big shapes and designs conceived to match the location are key in the creation process. In the case of interior murals, small details can become essential elements of the mural.

5. Materials. Appropriate materials used in the creation of exterior and interior murals may be very different. Interior murals make use of elements such as wood and even fabric, while exterior murals require more durable materials. Special effects, such as those used in our interactive walls for events and offices, may not be possible with exterior murals.

These are the main aspects to have in mind when deciding whether to choose an exterior or interior mural painting either at your home or office. Wall and Wall can help you find the best solution that fits your space, budget and vision. Just email us at info@wallandwall.com or connect with us through the contact form. We will be happy to listen to your needs and make the exterior and interior of your space as breathtaking as you imagine!

Have questions or a project in mind? Get a free estimate by reaching out below or by emailing us at info@wallandwall.com

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