Historically, cell phone towers have been gigantic structures that could be seen for miles around. As a result, they haven’t always been aesthetically pleasing or popular for those living nearby. Fortunately, combining more compact cell towers and improved cell tower concealment solutions has made blending towers in with their environment much easier. Nowadays, stealth towers are one of the best ways to add a tower to the top of a building without having a negative effect on the building’s residents or the surrounding landscape.
But how does a stealth tower differ from a traditional cell tower? What are some of the best cell tower concealment options? Finally, what are a few of the primary benefits of using a stealth cell tower? In today’s guide, we will answer all of these questions and more, but first, let’s look at what makes a stealth tower unique from other types of cell towers.
What Is A Stealth Cell Tower?
As the name implies, a stealth tower is a kind of hidden cell tower that typically cannot be identified as a tower from most vantage points. If a person is standing right next to a stealth tower, they may realize that it is a cell tower, though this is not always the case. For example, many concealed towers in public areas are combined with other objects, like street lamps or power lines. This allows both structures to fulfill their respective functions while occupying the same ground space.
The type of concealment method used will largely depend on the surrounding environment. For example, street lamps and power lines are best for cell towers that need to be placed along roadways or in public spaces. Alternatively, hidden cell phone towers in more rural areas may be concealed by real or fake trees. Suppose you’re considering a hidden cell tower on top of a residential or commercial building. In that case, it may be more useful to consider materials that help the tower blend in with the rest of the structure. This could include anything from brick chimneys to clock towers.
Benefits Of Concealed Cell Towers
There are many advantages to implementing stealth cell sites on your property or in your local community. Here are a few of the most common benefits:
- Aesthetic Appeal – On its own, a cell tower may not be all that nice to look at. It is usually just a large metal object sticking up from the ground or the top of a building. By partially or fully concealing a cell tower, it can make the landscape and surrounding environment far more pleasing to the eye.
- Property Value – While a cell tower has the potential to increase property value through its ability to produce revenue, it doesn’t improve value for parties who do not benefit from a cell tower lease. Fortunately, the improved aesthetic appeal of a cell tower can also have a positive effect on property value, particularly when it comes to factors like curb appeal.
- Resident Consent – If you own a property with multiple tenants, you may run into issues if some or all of the residents don’t consent to the installation of a tower. This is especially true if it’s a large tower that could obstruct the landscape or generally make the building less appealing to live in. Generally, a hidden cell tower is far less objectionable to most residents, as it cannot be seen or distinguished from the rest of the building.
- Ordinance Approval – Many local ordinances regulate what you can put on your property. The people in charge of approving new structures may see a large, visible cell tower as an unwanted “eye sore.” Alternatively, a concealed tower is far more likely to pass ordinances forbidding objects that interfere with the landscape, skyline, or general aesthetic of the community.
- Multi-Purpose Towers – Though not all stealth towers have more than one function, many do. In addition to the obvious secondary function of beautifying a cell tower, some cell tower concealment methods allow you to benefit from your tower and an additional structure. For example, you can have your cell tower double as a clock, part of a roof garden, or a sign.
Hidden Cell Tower Ideas
If you’re in the process of installing a cell tower on your property and looking for ways to conceal it, there are plenty of different options at your disposal.
Parapet Panels
A parapet panel is a shortened wall surrounding the top of your building. Not only can parapets help keep people from accidentally falling off the roof, but they can also conceal objects on top of your roof — including cell towers.
Chimneys & Smoke Stacks
Many buildings already have chimneys or smoke stacks to direct smoke and heat safely away from the building. You can also use a chimney structure to conceal a cell tower, even if it doesn’t actually dispel smoke.
Cupolas
A cupola is a large dome on the top of a building. Cupolas are often reserved for buildings with ornate or classical architecture, though they can theoretically be added to just about any building. These structures make it extremely easy to hide a cell tower.
Clocks
A clock tower can be a great addition to large structures, particularly government or commercial buildings. Clock towers have natural visual appeal and practicality, as they can help passersby know the time. You can easily use a clock tower to conceal stealth cell towers as well.
Steeples
Steeples are generally reserved for religious buildings. However, if it fits with the architectural style of your building, you can use steeples to conceal cell towers on virtually any kind of structure. Steeples already extend straight upward, making them an ideal fit for hiding cell phone towers.
Wall Inserts, Boxes, & Mounts
Wall inserts, boxes, and mounts all look very natural on the top of apartment buildings, businesses, and many other flat-top buildings. This can make it easier to conceal a rooftop cell tower in a natural-looking way.
Building Extensions
If you’re already considering adding extensions to the exterior of your building, you can use these structures to hide a cell tower and get even more for your money. Additionally, since building extensions are made to look like additions to the building itself, it is very difficult for others to know that there is a stealth tower behind or inside the structure.
Signs
Adding signs and stealth towers to your building can be doubly beneficial. You can use the signs to promote a business endeavor or sell them as ad space, and profit from a cell tower lease on your stealth tower at the same time.
Trees (Natural & Synthetic)
Trees are one of the most common methods used to hide stealth towers located out in nature. Some of these trees are real, while others are synthetic. It may not be natural to put a tree on top of your building, but you could still use this method to make your stealth tower part of a rooftop garden.
Are you a property owner who has been approached by cell tower companies? Are you looking to sell an existing cell tower lease? Do you need help navigating an upcoming cell phone tower lease buyout? If so, be sure to contact the experts at Nexus Towers today!
