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Wallpaper Glossary

Your comprehensive guide to wallpaper terms, materials, and installation techniques

Common Wallpaper Terms and Definitions

Faux finish or Trompe l'oeil: Faux finish or trompe l'oeil wallpapers are a style that replicates realistic textures from real life such as wood textures, animal skin, porcelain tiles, brick, and concrete etc. The wallpapers have an authentically realistic three dimensional look of the actual material they replicate. They 'trick the eye' and often are so realistic that you need to get close to understand the surface is actually two dimensional.

Standard Double Roll or Bolt: Roll sizes vary by retailer and product type. At walls republic a typical residential roll is 33 feet OR 10.05 meters long while products like Grasscloth come in larger dimensions. [Note: At Walls Republic all wallpapers are sold and priced by the double roll]

Standard Single Roll: While sizes vary the standard single residential roll measures 16.5 feet OR 5.02 meters long. A single roll is half the amount of wallpaper in a bolt (double roll) [Note: At most retailers and online stores, other than Walls Republic, wallpapers are sold by the double roll and priced by the single roll]

*When buying residential wallpaper and comparing prices make sure you take into account the different roll sizes.

Border

Borders are long narrow strips of wallpaper that can be used on their own or overtop of other wallpapers. They can be applied like trim at the top of a wall, along the middle of the wall to break up the wall like wainscoting, or along the base of the wall to define the edge.

Colourway

A colourway refers to the multiple colours available for one pattern. Most wallpaper patterns are available in a set of different colours to meet the needs of your space.

Commercial Wallcovering

Commercial wallcoverings are designed and manufactured to be durable and tough in high traffic areas for commercial use. They have a width wider than the standard residential wallcovering ranging from 50" to 54" in width and sold by the square foot.

Residential Wallcovering

Wallpaper suitable for use in the home in a variety of applications and spaces. At Walls Republic all residential wallcoverings are paste the wall (with the exception of grasscloth and mica) making them easy for any DIY (do it yourself) driven personality.

Wall Mural

Wall Murals are digitally printed wallcoverings available in large sizes and often used as a feature wall. Every wall mural is like a unique piece of art and can be custom sized or custom designed to your unique and individualized needs.

Grasscloth

Grasscloth is a natural wallcovering comprised of woven plant fibers which varies between rolls due to its organic natural nature making it a very one-of-a-kind product. The seams which occur naturally also add to the beauty and appeal of this product.

Paste the Wall

Paste the Wall

Apply paste directly to the wall and hang wallcovering dry. Perfect for DIY installers.

Pre-Pasted

Pre-Pasted

Already coated with adhesive. Simply dip in water to activate.

Un-Pasted

Un-Pasted

Apply paste directly to the wallpaper before hanging.

Pattern Matching

Pattern Match Symbols

Understanding pattern match symbols is crucial for proper installation and calculating material needs.

Cleaning Symbols

Water Resistant

Printed with water-fast colours. Can be cleaned with a damp sponge.

Washable

Can be lightly cleaned with a sponge and detergent solution.

Super Washable

Highly wash resistant, suitable for wet zones like kitchens and bathrooms.

Scrubbable

Can withstand scrubbing with a brush and detergent solution.

Moderate Lightfastness

Moderate

Satisfactory Lightfastness

Satisfactory

Good Lightfastness

Good

Very Good Lightfastness

Very Good

Excellent Lightfastness

Excellent

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