Vine-Covered Homes: The Truth About Damage

A vince-covered house can be so charming, it’s worthy of a fairy tale. But those clinging vines can also damage surfaces, make brick crumble and provide cover for pests like spiders or even mice and rats. Let’s explore ways to get the allure of a vine-covered home while minimizing damage.

How vines climb. Most climbing vines adhere to surfaces by using clinging roots, sticky pads or twining tendrils. Clinging-root and sticky-pad types have the most potential to cause damage to a home’s exterior. Twining tendrils must grow around a support but can also cause serious damage to a home if they begin to twine around a gutter, window or roofline.

Choose the right vine. One way to minimize damage is by choosing a type of vine that is less likely to damage your home. Avoid English ivy, which has very tough clinging roots and is known to be invasive. Boston ivy or Virginia creeper would be a better choice for a classic vine-covered look, or try a climbing variety of clematis if you prefer something that flowers — check with a local nursery to find out the best option for your climate.

Can you ever have vines climb your house safely? The short answer is yes. If you have a brick or masonry home, it may be possible to have that vine-covered house of your dreams without damage being caused — that is, if the masonry is in perfect condition. Vines generally do not damage sturdy brick and mortar or stonework, but give them a tiny crack or chip, and the roots can work their way in, causing larger cracks and crumbling.

Homes with shingles or vinyl siding should have trellises, as vines grown directly on these surfaces can loosen and break shingles and pull off siding. Vines can trap moisture against the house, making them a poor choice for wood siding as well. Stucco is a mixed case: In good condition it is fairly sturdy, but removing the vines can chip and damage the surface.

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Vine-Covered Homes: The Truth About Damage