{"id":210664,"date":"2024-12-06T11:49:34","date_gmt":"2024-12-06T16:49:34","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.constructionspecifier.com\/?p=210664"},"modified":"2025-01-22T14:55:10","modified_gmt":"2025-01-22T19:55:10","slug":"best-practices-to-safeguard-commercial-properties","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.constructionspecifier.com\/best-practices-to-safeguard-commercial-properties\/","title":{"rendered":"Guarding against graffiti: Best practices to safeguard commercial properties"},"content":{"rendered":"

By Edward Owens<\/strong><\/p>\n

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Photo \u00a9Mehaniq\/courtesy Bigstockphoto.com<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Graffiti and vandalism have become increasingly common threats to commercial properties across the United States. For instance, in the second half of 2023 alone, the San Francisco Bay Area recorded more than 10,000 instances of graffiti on commercial properties.1<\/sup> Despite a significant 74 percent increase in cleanup requests, the response rate from public works dropped to a concerning 14 percent. And this is just in San Francisco\u2014imagine the costs and damage across other major metros such as New York City, Chicago, and Los Angeles.<\/p>\n

This growing problem underscores the need for specifiers to take proactive measures to protect building exteriors during the design and construction phases and beyond. By implementing suitable materials and design strategies, specifiers can help their clients maintain pristine business fronts and ensure the longevity of the building designs.<\/p>\n

A good starting point to combat graffiti effectively is understanding the available protective solution options and learning about design strategies that can deter graffiti. Let\u2019s begin by exploring the primary types of anti-graffiti coatings and the key considerations for selecting the best materials for different surface textures and conditions.<\/p>\n

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Unlawful defacing costs an estimated $12 billion annually in the United States. In some states, business owners may incur fines if graffiti is not cleaned up promptly, according to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency. Photo \u00a9Mehaniq\/courtesy Bigstockphoto.com<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

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Thoughtful exterior designs such as murals and decorative wraps beautify commercial spaces and deter vandalism in the first place. Photo \u00a9felix mizioznikov\/courtesy Bigstockphoto.com<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
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Reminding clients that a proactive approach is necessary even after installing anti-graffiti solutions\u2014swift graffiti removal can disrupt the cycle of vandalism, making properties less appealing targets. Photo \u00a9Andy777\/courtesy Bigstockphoto.com<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

Specifying anti-graffiti coatings and materials<\/h2>\n

There are various types of anti-graffiti solutions, and they all work a little bit differently. Each offers different levels of protection\u00a0and\u00a0maintenance requirements, and selection depends on the exterior materials and the budget. Here is a breakdown of the different offerings available that can protect exteriors:<\/p>\n