Wallpaper Material Guide: Everything You Need to Know
By Calgary Wallpaper · Updated
Wallpaper is not a single product — it is a category spanning radically different materials, each with distinct properties, installation methods, and ideal use cases. Choosing a material involves more than matching a photograph: consider the room, surface preparation and manufacturer instructions. Use this guide to compare material families, then confirm the selected product’s composition, care grade and installation instructions. Material names alone do not establish suitability.
Vinyl Wallpaper
Vinyl is the workhorse of the wallpaper world. Its coated surface can offer practical cleaning options; check the manufacturer’s cleaning grade and intended use for the selected design.
Types of Vinyl
- Solid vinyl: A continuous vinyl layer laminated to a paper or fabric backing. Check the individual product’s cleaning grade and room suitability. A vinyl surface is not a waterproof wall assembly and is not approval for direct-water areas.
- Vinyl-coated paper: A paper substrate with a vinyl surface coating. Check its care rating and manufacturer-approved uses; the coating alone does not establish suitability for a kitchen or bathroom.
- Vinyl on fabric: Vinyl fused to a woven fabric backing. Often used in commercial interiors; confirm the relevant project specifications rather than assuming a fabric backing meets them.
Pros and Cons
Pros: Many patterns and textures; cleaning resistance and durability depend on the selected product’s manufacturer specifications.
Considerations: Check the complete product’s vapour permeability, backing, composition and removal instructions. Resolve wall moisture problems before covering them; a vinyl surface alone does not establish the wall assembly’s performance.
Consider for: Rooms needing the selected product’s stated cleaning grade and durability. Browse kitchen wallpaper or washable and scrubbable wallpaper, then confirm suitability for your location.
Non-Woven Wallpaper
Non-woven wallpaper is the material that modernized the wallpaper industry. Made from a blend of cellulose (wood pulp) and polyester fibers pressed together without weaving, its properties depend on the fibres, surface finish and backing used.
Key Characteristics
Many non-woven products use paste-the-wall installation. Follow the selected product’s instructions for adhesive, preparation and application; installation time depends on the material, wall condition, pattern and installer.
A non-woven backing alone does not establish vapour permeability, mould resistance or removal behaviour. Correct moisture problems before installation, and check the manufacturer’s instructions for the complete wallcovering.
Pros and Cons
Pros: Many products offer paste-the-wall application and dry-strip removal; confirm these features on the product instructions. Composition, inks and environmental credentials vary.
Considerations: A non-woven backing does not specify the surface’s cleaning grade or water resistance. Check the complete product’s ratings and approved uses, especially near moisture.
Consider for: Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, offices and hallways, subject to the product’s specifications. Read our detailed vinyl vs non-woven comparison.
Traditional Paper Wallpaper
Paper wallpaper is the original — a printed paper product that has been used for centuries. While largely superseded by vinyl and non-woven in practical applications, paper wallpaper still has a place in interior design.
Characteristics
Some paper wallpapers require paste-and-book installation to accommodate expansion when wet. Appearance, washability and removal depend on the particular paper and coating. Check the care symbols and application instructions.
Pros and Cons
Pros: Available in historic and artisan designs. Confirm the complete composition, coatings and disposal guidance rather than assuming all paper wallcoverings are biodegradable.
Considerations: Uncoated papers can be sensitive to moisture and handling. Washability, booking time and removal method vary; do not assume a coating or cleaning grade from the material name.
Best for: Formal dining rooms, low-traffic spaces, heritage restorations, anywhere aesthetics take absolute priority over practicality.
Peel-and-Stick Wallpaper
Peel-and-stick wallpaper has a pressure-sensitive adhesive backing — like a giant sticker. You peel off the backing liner and apply the paper directly to the wall without separately applied paste. Cutting, alignment and smoothing still require the tools and preparation in the product instructions.
Characteristics
Some peel-and-stick products allow repositioning, but adhesion and removal depend on paint, curing time, wall texture and the adhesive. Test an inconspicuous area and follow the manufacturer’s instructions. Renters should obtain permission; damage-free removal is not guaranteed.
Pros and Cons
Pros: No separate paste needed. Check the selected product’s repositioning, surface preparation and removal instructions.
Considerations: Adhesion depends on the wall finish, paint curing time and environment. Compare approved surfaces, preparation requirements and cost for the individual product.
Consider for: Accent walls or temporary projects where the product is approved for the surface. Rental use still needs permission and a compatibility test. See our peel-and-stick guide and our guide to the best wallpaper for renters.
Grasscloth Wallpaper
Grasscloth is a handcrafted wallcovering made from natural plant fibers — typically jute, sisal, seagrass, or arrowroot — woven onto a paper backing. It is one of the oldest wallcovering materials in existence and remains one of the most luxurious.
Characteristics
Every panel of grasscloth is unique because the natural fibers vary in colour and texture. This creates a warm, organic, textured surface that adds extraordinary depth to walls. The horizontal weave pattern adds subtle visual width to rooms. Grasscloth has a distinctive earthy scent and a tactile quality that no printed wallpaper can replicate.
Pros and Cons
Pros: Natural texture and variation between panels; composition and environmental credentials vary by product.
Considerations: Natural fibres can show panel variation and visible seams, and may be sensitive to stains or moisture. Confirm cleaning guidance and installation requirements; specialist installation may be appropriate.
Best for: Living rooms, dining rooms, bedrooms, studies — dry rooms where the texture can be appreciated. For kitchens or bathrooms, ask the manufacturer whether the particular product is suitable for the proposed location. Read our full guide on grasscloth wallpaper. Browse our grasscloth collection.
Fabric Wallpaper
Fabric wallcoverings include materials like silk, linen, cotton, and polyester applied to a paper or acrylic backing. They bring a textile appearance to walls; acoustic performance requires product-specific evidence.
Pros and Cons
Pros: Rich textile appearance and varied fibres. Acoustic ratings and wall preparation requirements must be checked for the individual product.
Considerations: Cleaning methods, moisture suitability, installation requirements and cost depend on the fibres, finish and backing. Check the manufacturer’s guidance for the complete wallcovering.
Best for: Formal living rooms, bedrooms and other interiors where the selected product meets the room’s requirements.
Choosing the Right Material: Quick Decision Guide
- Moisture or direct water? Check manufacturer-approved uses; wallpaper is not a substitute for waterproofing.
- Comparing installation methods? Check whether the product specifies paste-the-wall, paste-the-paper or self-adhesive application, and review the preparation needed.
- Renting? Check permission, paint compatibility and removal instructions; test first.
- Want luxury texture? Grasscloth or fabric wallcovering.
- Considering non-woven? Compare application, care and removal instructions for each product.
- High-traffic room? Compare manufacturer cleaning grades and intended uses, not material names alone.
- Heritage or artisan look? Traditional paper for authentic character.
Explore Your Options
Material choice is personal, and nothing replaces seeing and touching the options in person. Arrange a Calgary visit by appointment to compare materials side by side, or use our wallpaper calculator to plan your project. Understanding your wallpaper's finish options is the next step after choosing your material.