How to Choose the Right Type of Commercial Wallpaper

When choosing how to decorate or style walls, many people opt for wallpaper. The reason for this is that wallpaper can hide surface damage. Also, it adds much more depth, design, and texture than plain paint. There are many different types of wallpaper as well. Some of these may be better for your business than others. Learn how to choose the right type of commercial wallpaper in this article.

Why Choose Wallpaper Over Paint?

While paint and wallpaper can both liven up a space, there are some distinct advantages of choosing to install wallpaper in your commercial area instead of painting the walls. Wallpaper is significantly easier to clean and can generally handle sponges and hard scrubbing, depending on the grade and specific material. Wallpaper is as easy as ever to install and remove, especially with peel and stick variations becoming more popular. They can help protect the walls from getting damaged and cover up any cracks or holes on the wall. When you don’t want them anymore, you can easily peel them off. At the same time, the wall will remain intact. Wallpaper provides a lot more options with designs as well. These days, you can find beautiful textures that give depth to the space. Companies constantly come out with new designs with various colors and patterns, giving you more freedom to decorate your room.

Consider Commercial-Specific Needs

It might not seem like that big of a difference, but the distinction between wallpaper in commercial and residential buildings is drastic. Public places like hotel hallways or dentist office waiting rooms receive a LOT more traffic than your typical living space. Regular wallpaper would not last much more than a month in a high-traffic business. Almost anyone picking wallpaper for a commercial place needs to find a durable wallpaper that can handle more activity.

Look at Different Grades

Like other supplies and products, there are different grades of wallpaper. In this case, the grade refers to the degree of toughness that a wallpaper product possesses. The actual “weight” of wallpaper is what distinguishes it from other options. Essentially, when wallpaper is heavier, it’s thicker and more resistant to wear and tear. For some places, this isn’t that much of a concern, but for others, it is. It's one of the most vital factors when deciding how to choose the right type of commercial wallpaper. Here are the three types of wallpaper.

Type I

Type I wallpaper is the lightest of the three. Usually, it’s around 12 to 19 ounces per linear yard. It’s the cheapest of them all, making it a good option for businesses on a budget. However, since it’s the least durable, it’s the most fragile and susceptible to wear and tear. Businesses that don’t receive lots of traffic will do fine with this type and can benefit from saving money. Type I wallpaper is ideal for places like waiting rooms or some office spaces where there is little risk of employees accidentally knocking their chairs against the wall. If used in a high-traffic area like a hallway, reckless activity can easily damage the wallpaper within a matter of months.

Type II

Most businesses end up choosing Type II wallpaper. It weighs more at around 20 to 29 ounces per linear yard. However, it’s usually about twice as expensive compared to Type I wallpaper. Type II is a better option for any owner who predicts or knows that they have lots of people coming in and out of their building. Most modern commercial wallpapers on the market are Type II varieties. There are about four times more available than Type I these days—and for a good reason! No one wants to replace their wallpaper a few months after installing it. They don’t want to settle for it looking worn and torn either. Because of this, most companies opt for Type II from the start. Some high-end brands only sell Type II wallpapers. The initial costs are worth the reliability and durability! When handling Type II wallpaper, you’ll notice that it’s more thick, stiff, and rigid than Type I. This strength makes it perfect for places like hallways where people tend to knock things up against the wall or lean into it.

Type III

At around 33 to 36 ounces, Type III wallpaper is the strongest of them all. For most businesses, it’s unnecessary to spend money on something this durable. However, in particular places like daycares, anything lower than this type would become damaged too easily.

Think About the Wallpaper’s Appearance

Another thing to consider when choosing the right type of commercial wallpaper is its overall appearance. Wallpaper comes in many different textures, colors, patterns, and designs. Each of these can change the atmosphere of a space. Various factors can influence your mood, energy level, and ability to be productive. A key contributor to this is your immediate environment. Consequently, the space that an employee works in can either facilitate or hinder their productiveness. To capitalize on this, create the commercial workspace in a way that helps people work better. Colors like teal, gray, and off-white are all excellent choices for an office setting. Employees will feel relaxed and capable of focusing. On the contrary, if you choose to hang wallpaper in a hotel, opt for colors like pale yellow, light brown, or cream. These shades are relaxing for the mind and exude comfort and luxury to visiting guests. If you choose commercial wallpaper for a university or a school, the colors will vary even more! Bright colors and bold patterns encourage a sense of creativity and optimism. They are also energizing to be around.

Take the Materials Into Account

There are many different types of materials that make up wallpaper. These days, there are also various textiles used for a plethora of reasons. Some are easier to clean, and others provide much more personality to the walls. You can find wallpaper made of bamboo, vinyl, acrylic fibers, polyester, foil, or paper. They provide distinct advantages from one another. For example, vinyl remains durable when cleaned, foil is metallic in appearance, and bamboo prevents mildew from growing on it, making it perfect for humid spaces like kitchens or bathrooms. There are many aspects to consider when picking wallpaper for your commercial space. The colors and designs on the walls can influence the environment in a particular way. Being cognizant of how much use they will receive will help you protect your investment for as long as possible.