Wallcovering guide
What “Type II, PVC-free” wallpaper means for your project
Durability classes, fire ratings and indoor air quality, explained for clients and specifiers.
By Lionel Scharly · October 2026 · 6 min read
When a wallcovering is described as “Type II, PVC-free,” those few words carry a lot of information. They tell an architect how much wear the wall can take, a contractor how it will install, and a building owner what it puts into the air. Here is what each part means, and why it matters for the rooms you are designing.
Type I, II and III: a durability scale
In the United States, commercial wallcoverings are graded under federal specification CCC-W-408D. The type is mostly a measure of weight and toughness, and it predicts how well the surface stands up to scuffs, cleaning and impact.
| Type I — light duty | Typically 19 oz or less per 54″ linear yard. Hotel rooms, offices, apartments and ceilings, where walls see little abrasion. |
|---|---|
| Type II — commercial standard | Typically 20–32 oz per 54″ linear yard. The most widely specified grade: corridors, hospitality, healthcare, retail, education. |
| Type III — heavy duty | Typically 33 oz and up. Wainscots and walls hit by carts and equipment, such as hospital corridors and elevator lobbies. |
Type II is the sensible default for most projects. It is durable enough for a busy hallway or a restaurant, and still easy to hang and to remove. Our Waves and other square-foot patterns are printed on a Type II commercial base that meets or exceeds CCC-W-408D.
Why “PVC-free” matters
Most commercial wallcovering has been vinyl — polyvinyl chloride — for decades. Vinyl is tough and cheap, but it relies on plasticizers such as phthalates to stay flexible, and it is effectively a vapor barrier. On an exterior wall in a humid climate, that can trap moisture behind the paper and encourage mold.
Our base is made with Terralon™, a polyester and natural-fiber technology. It contains no PVC or olefin, no plasticizers or phthalates, no formaldehyde, chlorine, halogens or heavy metals, and a minimum of 31% post-consumer recycled content. It is also breathable — rated at 66 perms under the ASTM E96 wet-cup test — so moisture in the wall can escape rather than collect.
Fire ratings: what “Class A” means
Interior finishes are tested under ASTM E84, the “tunnel test,” which measures how fast flame spreads across a material and how much smoke it produces. Building and fire codes then group the results:
| Class A | Flame spread index 0–25, smoke-developed index 450 or less |
|---|---|
| Class B | Flame spread index 26–75, smoke-developed index 450 or less |
| Class C | Flame spread index 76–200, smoke-developed index 450 or less |
Class A is what most commercial interiors, exits and corridors require. Our wallcoverings are Class A rated, which means they can go into hotels, offices, restaurants and multi-family lobbies as well as homes. Always confirm the requirement for your occupancy with your architect or the local code official.
Indoor air quality
A low-emitting wall finish matters most in bedrooms, nurseries, classrooms and offices where people spend long hours. Our base is made with water-based adhesive systems, is low-VOC, and meets California Section 01350 — the emissions standard used by most green-building programs — with third-party certification. Used in a LEED project, it can contribute toward Materials & Resources credits.
A quick checklist for specifiers
- Durability: Type II for most commercial and high-traffic residential walls.
- Fire: Class A under ASTM E84 for corridors, exits and most commercial spaces.
- Air quality: low-VOC, meeting California Section 01350.
- Moisture: a breathable, PVC-free base on exterior walls and in humid climates.
- Installation: standard commercial pastes, primers and techniques.