Material Guide
Pattern is only half of a wall. The other half is what it’s printed on: the way light catches sisal in the afternoon, the quiet grain of wood, the soft give of linen. Here’s how our materials compare, so you can choose one that suits the room as well as the design.
Before anything else, order a sample. Texture is best judged by hand, and color in your own light.
Compare Our Materials
| Material | What It Is | Where It Works Best | Pattern Match |
|---|---|---|---|
| Textured Vinyl | Printed vinyl with a texture you can feel; washable, stain-resistant and waterproof | Our first suggestion for bathrooms and humid rooms with good ventilation | Straight match, untrimmed, double-cut |
| Grasscloth | Natural woven sisal with a creamy base that softens printed color | Dry, well-ventilated rooms, away from splashes and humidity | Straight match, untrimmed, double-cut |
| Basketweave | Woven paper on a brighter base for crisp color | Dry, well-ventilated rooms, away from splashes and humidity | Straight match, untrimmed, double-cut |
| Linen | Woven linen with the soft look of fabric | Dry, well-ventilated rooms, away from splashes and humidity | Straight match, untrimmed, double-cut |
| Solid Sisal | Handwoven natural sisal, dyed one color | Dry, well-ventilated rooms, away from splashes and humidity | Random match, no double-cut |
| Paperweave | Finely woven paper with a tailored, textile-like finish | Dry, well-ventilated rooms, away from splashes and humidity | Random match, no double-cut |
| Cork | Genuine cork with natural, organic variation | Powder rooms, half baths and living spaces, away from high-splash areas and humidity | Random match, no double-cut |
| Wood Veneer | Thin slices of real wood on a paper backing | Dry, well-ventilated rooms, away from splashes and humidity | Random match, no double-cut |
Bathrooms and Humid Rooms
- For full baths, laundry rooms and other humid spaces, start with Textured Vinyl in a room with good ventilation.
- Natural wovens (grasscloth, sisal, basketweave, paperweave and linen) should stay clear of splashes and humidity.
- Cork is lovely in a powder room or half bath. Just keep it away from high-splash areas and steam.
- Textured Vinyl itself is waterproof, but it doesn’t waterproof the wall behind it, so splash zones still need the right surface underneath.
Installation
We recommend a professional installer for every material. Natural wallcoverings especially reward an experienced hand.
Printed designs on Grasscloth, Basketweave, Linen and Textured Vinyl have a straight pattern match and arrive untrimmed. Your installer will double-cut the seams for clean, aligned edges.
Cork, Solid Sisal, Wood Veneer and Paperweave are random match, so there’s no pattern to line up and no double-cutting needed. A little variation from length to length is part of their character.
Before You Order
Order a sample, then measure with your installer. Measuring on your own? Plan for about 20% extra, and order everything at once so your rolls come from the same run.
Planning a project and have a question? Write to us at customerservice@sundaysocialscene.com. We answer Monday through Friday, 9am to 5pm Pacific.