After all, there are incredible benefits to having a great interior design. For instance, premium office wallpaper can improve the mood of the workspace. Hotel wallpaper can enhance the guest experience.
Are you set on getting commercial wall coverings? Say yes.
But as you start looking for textured wallpaper for your commercial space, you may be overwhelmed by all the options. From healthcare wallpaper and white board wallpaper to custom mural wall coverings, choices are seemingly endless.
Luckily for you, here’s a guide with all you need to know about purchasing textured wallpaper:
Which textured wallpaper do you need?
By definition, textured wallpaper is wallpaper with a three-dimensional finish. You can literally feel the design. It’s cool.
But there is a clear and big difference between types of textured wallpaper. Note this:
- For commercial use: Also given names like wall coverings, office wallpaper, hotel wallpaper, hallway wallpaper, commercial wallcovering, etc, textured wallpaper for commercial use is sold in 54-inch wide rolls. It’s quite durable, with a thick feel. If properly maintained, commercial wall coverings can last 15 to 25 years or longer.
- For residential use: Textured wallpaper for the home has a lighter feel, as it’s sold in 27-inch rolls. It’s not built for use in buildings with heavy foot traffic.
Unless you’re looking for wallpaper to use in residential properties, opt for commercial wall coverings. They’re designed to withstand much more wear and tear.
What’s the quality of the textured wallpaper?
You want bang for your buck. Who doesn’t?
So, educate yourself. As the Wallcoverings Association notes, “it is important to understand the qualities of each type and in what type of environment the wallcoverings will be used.”
Here is a quick summary of the types of textured wallpaper:
- Type I (light duty): Usually around 15 ounces, this kind of wallpaper is meant for areas with lighter traffic, like offices and guestrooms.
- Type II (medium duty): Usually around 19 ounces, this kind of wallpaper is meant for areas that see decent traffic flow, such as meeting rooms.
- Type II (heavy duty): Usually 20 ounces or more, this kind of wallpaper is meant for areas with consistent heavy traffic, such as corridors and lobbies.
Another thing you should note is whether the textured wallpaper is fabric backed. Because that adds durability to the product. Wall coverings with fabric backings are also easy to install and remove. You can take such wallpaper off in complete sheets by simply pulling up the sheet, from any bottom corner, at a 45-degree angle.
Is textured wallpaper, washable wallpaper?
Picture this: Important people—that means workers, guests, customers, and maybe even your family members—are going to be walking into your office, hotel, or residential building hallway. You want your commercial interior design to look pristine.
If you don’t have washable wallpaper, making the place look pristine could be tough. Even if you have painted walls, it’s difficult. Paint more vividly shows stains and marks and is harder to clean.
That’s why you absolutely must buy washable wallpaper. The good news is most wall coverings are washable. But do check first.
Another advantage of office wallpaper, hotel wallpaper, or other types of wall coverings that are washable is cost. Since you can quickly clean textured wallpaper with warm water and detergent, you can save on labor and maintenance costs. Also, because commercial wall coverings last at least five times longer than paint, you can avoid having to repaint or replace cheap wallpaper.
For instance, for hotels with 200 guestrooms, premium washable wallpaper can save you about $30,000 per year. That’s precisely why buying high-quality textured wallpaper is essential to business success.
Does it meet safety and quality standards?
You want to be prepared when the unexpected comes, right?
Commercial wallcoverings are special. It is rated by the American Standard for Testing of Materials (ASTM) which authors the most stringent building code requirements in the world. Simply put, when purchasing textured wallpaper for commercial interior design, absolutely make sure it’s Class A fire rated.
Architects and interior designers create specifications for wallpaper that is compliant to code, giving you a straightforward guide to follow. Information regarding the fire rating should come from the manufacturer. The Architect bases approvals that are compliant to the local building codes they are developing in. For instance, in densely populated areas such as NYC, LA, and Las Vegas have more stringent codes, than NJ or Virginia.
The wallpaper you purchase should meet the following:
- It should be Class A fire-rated.
- It should satisfy the characteristics specified in the ASTM E84 test.
It should meet performance requirements set forth in CCC-W-408 tests for color fastness, scrub cycles, overall quality, stain resistance, washability, etc.
How much do you need?
It’s time to get out the good ol’ measuring tape and do some math. Put on your math cap if you have one.
First, figure out how many square feet you need. Measure the height and width of the area, and multiply the two. Be sure to measure every location, especially where wall surface area varies (around doors, vents, etc).
Next, figure out how many linear yards you need. This requires first figuring out how many square feet equal a linear yard, which varies based on the width of the wallpaper. Linear yard length is always 3 feet (36 inches).
For an example, consider the following:
- You need 270 square feet of wallpaper.
- The wallpaper you’re buying is 54-inches wide, or 4.5 feet.
- To calculate a linear yard for your wallpaper, do the following:
- 4.5 feet (width) x 3 feet (length) = 13.5 square feet
- To get the total amount of linear yards you need, do the following calculation:
- 270 square feet / 13.5 square feet – 20 linear yards
So, you need 20 linear yards. If possible, purchase 10% more for backup and in case you run into any issues during installation.
Things to remember after purchasing textured wallpaper
You probably love when things go smoothly. To make sure you get the most out of your office wallpaper, hotel wallpaper, or other type of textured wallpaper, do the following after purchase:
- Prep the wall for installation: If necessary, clean the wall and fix any imperfections, like indentations and nail holes.
- Store backup wallpaper: Things happen. And it can be difficult to find identical wallpaper even just a few years after purchasing. Storing textured wallpaper is a good way to ensure you only have to repair the damaged area.
- Get installation help (if needed): Textured wallpaper installation can be tedious, so get help if you’re not completely confident. Proper installation ensures you get the most use out of your wall coverings.
Make sure delivery is correct: Check the pattern and color upon arrival. Make sure it’s the proper amount. Also, rolls must be delivered in sequential order so that installation runs smoothly and in dye lot order.
Enjoy all the benefits of textured wallpaper
Whether you’re getting office wallpaper, hotel wallpaper, healthcare wallpaper, or another type of wall covering, you stand to benefit. Textured wallpaper is an aesthetically pleasing, clean, and cost-effective solution for any space, from condo hallways and hotel offices to retail stores and event facilities.
To make sure you make the right purchase, follow this guide. Your organization will benefit greatly.