Building Wraps: Read Before You Buy

Our customers have used our custom printed building wraps to conceal renovations, cover unsightly architecture, and transform entire buildings into a promotional space. High-rise structures, museums, hospitals, and historic landmarks like New York’s Plaza Hotel; in 35 years, our team of creatives, fabricators, and certified installers (available nationwide) have covered it all. Let that experience be a resource for your success by checking out the answers to these commonly asked questions.

Is there a basic formula to predict a building wrap’s cost?

Building wrap prices are calculated by square feet. A witch’s brew of logistics and unforeseen install hurdles can sometimes complicate end-pricing, but we can at least get you comfortably in the ballpark on the frontend by figuring a minimum of $2 to $5 per square foot for printing and installation.

Do you need to supply high-resolution, print-ready files, or can Britten assist with the design?

Whether the idea comes to us on a cocktail napkin or a high-res vector file, our team is happy to meet you wherever you’re at. For projects that require design help, our team can assist as needed and in any capacity for $75 per hour.

If you decide to handle the design, be sure to check out our Art Requirements Guidelines for detailed guidelines on sizing, file submission, and proofing tips of your high-res vector files. Or contact us for help setting up your files to prevent printing delays,

Before submitting files, please note: we’ve found 16' panels work best for the ease of installation and finished appearance over the long haul. We can also provide a rendering of how a wrap will look if you can provide us with an image of the building you’re looking to cover.

Which architectural mesh weave—70% or 30%—is best?

Some small-scale projects may get away with using banners with 30% mesh. But to maximize blow-through and reduce stress on wall anchors or scaffolding, 70% architectural mesh (meaning 70% of the material is holes) is most commonly used for large building wraps.

How is the wrap attached to the building?

Short answer: It depends. Where scaffolding is present, most cities require barrier netting that is attached directly as a safety measure to help prevent workers, tools, and/or debris from falling onto the street below. For structures with a concrete facade, our install team can drill anchors directly into the building or secure an anchor system on the rooftop, working their way down to the ground floor.

If covering scaffolding, do you need to provide scaffolding blueprint/schematics?

Yes. Scaffolding blueprints are necessary to ensure proper fit and anchor placement of your wrap. Your scaffolding team should be able to provide them.

Is any special site prep required before the wrap is installed?

Yes. Every building wrap project requires a site survey by someone on the Britten team. Your sight survey professional will look for things such as roof access or obstacles that may complicate your install and unnecessarily increase your costs.

The cost for a site survey starts at $500 and may be more depending on the complexity of the project. Think of it as cheap insurance so you’re not left holding the bag if anything unexpected happens. By providing photos of your building and the surrounding areas, our team can provide an accurate survey cost over the phone.

Will union work be needed for the install?

Some cities require union installers. Some do not. As the contractor or owner of the building, do some research and provide that information so Britten can meet your city’s requirements and give you an accurate install price that reflects union labor costs (which is higher).

What is the lifespan of a building wrap?

A building wrap can last anywhere from two to five years. Mostly it depends on environmental factors at your location, not whether the anchors will hold. Are you in a windy city? A place prone to hurricanes? Is your building south-facing (which can cause faster fading of an image)? These are factors to share with your Britten rep during the quoting process.

Will you need to hire a team to take it down when your project is complete?

If your wrap is anchored directly to your scaffolding, your scaffolding team can simply remove the wrap when your construction or renovation project is complete. No install/removal pros required. Wraps anchored directly to the building do, however, require some expertise. Britten offers wrap removal services, especially important if you plan on rotating or replenishing your mural or promotional print to keep your job site looking new and fresh.

Are there any special permits required to install a building wrap?

Consult your local city ordinances. While the Britten team is happy to reproduce any image you desire, know that most cities are fine with hanging works of art but not always massive advertisements. The Britten team can assist with the permitting process. We cannot, however, pull the permits ourselves.