Choosing the right wallpaper comes down to three decisions: where it is going, how long it needs to last, and who is installing it. A renter adding a feature wall in a studio apartment has different needs than a hotel owner covering 200 rooms, and the right material for a kitchen backsplash is not the same as the right material for a nursery.
Applied Coverings offers five wallpaper materials, each designed for specific situations. This guide compares them side by side — covering price, durability, installation method, best rooms, and whether they work for renters or commercial projects — so you can choose with confidence.
The Five Materials at a Glance
Before diving into detail, here is a quick comparison of every material Applied Coverings offers.
| Material | Price per Sq Ft | Installation | Removability | Durability | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-Pasted | $5.00 | Water-activated adhesive | Strippable with effort | Moderate | Budget-friendly residential |
| Peel & Stick Canvas | $5.50 | Self-adhesive backing | Fully removable, repositionable | Moderate | Renters, DIY projects |
| Suede Type II (20oz) | $6.00 | Commercial paste required | Professional removal | High — commercial grade | Hotels, offices, retail |
| Terralon Smooth Type II | $6.50 | Commercial paste required | Professional removal | High — commercial grade | Healthcare, offices, restaurants |
| Peel & Stick Linen | $7.50 | Self-adhesive backing | Fully removable, repositionable | Moderate-high | Premium residential, designers |
All five materials are custom printed in California and available through the Applied Coverings product configurator, where you can preview your chosen design on any material before ordering.
Material-by-Material Breakdown
Pre-Pasted Wallpaper — $5.00/sq ft
Pre-pasted wallpaper has a dry adhesive coating on the back that activates when you dip the paper in water or apply water with a sponge. Once wet, the adhesive becomes tacky and the wallpaper is ready to hang.
Why choose it: It is the most affordable option at $5.00 per square foot, making it the best value for large wall areas. The water-activated adhesive is forgiving during installation — you can slide the paper into position for several minutes before the paste sets.
Installation: Submerge each panel in a tray of water (or sponge the back thoroughly), then apply to the wall. A smoothing tool removes air bubbles. Seams are overlapped slightly and then double-cut for a clean join.
Best rooms: Living rooms, bedrooms, dining rooms, home offices — any room that is not exposed to sustained moisture or heavy physical contact.
Considerations: Pre-pasted is not ideal for bathrooms or kitchens where steam and humidity can weaken the adhesive over time. Removal requires soaking and scraping, so it is not the best choice for renters who need a damage-free option.
Peel & Stick Canvas — $5.50/sq ft
Peel and stick canvas has a self-adhesive backing that you peel and apply directly to the wall. No water, no paste, no additional tools beyond a smoothing squeegee.
Why choose it: It is fully removable and repositionable. If you place it crooked, peel it off and try again. When you are ready for a change, it peels off without damaging the wall or leaving residue. The canvas texture adds a subtle tactile quality that flat vinyl does not have.
Installation: Peel the backing paper away a few inches at a time, pressing the wallpaper onto the wall as you go. Work from top to bottom. If an air bubble forms, peel back past the bubble and re-smooth.
Best rooms: Rental apartments, dorm rooms, nurseries (design changes as children grow), home offices, accent walls, and any space where you want the option to remove or change the wallpaper later.
Considerations: Peel and stick adheres best to smooth, primed surfaces. Textured walls, fresh paint (less than 30 days old), and porous surfaces can affect adhesion. It is not rated for commercial-grade durability.
Suede Type II (20oz) — $6.00/sq ft
Suede Type II is a commercial-grade wallcovering with a soft, fabric-like texture and a 20-ounce weight rating. "Type II" refers to the commercial classification standard (ASTM F793) that specifies minimum requirements for tear resistance, abrasion resistance, stain resistance, and colorfastness.
Why choose it: It is built for high-traffic environments where walls take daily abuse — scuff marks, cleaning chemicals, furniture bumps. The suede texture adds visual warmth and absorbs light in a way that reduces glare, making it popular in hospitality and office settings.
Installation: Requires commercial-grade wallcovering adhesive (not included) applied to the wall with a roller. Professional installation is recommended. See our installation instructions for detailed steps.
Best rooms: Hotel lobbies and guest rooms, corporate offices, retail stores, restaurants, conference rooms, and any commercial space subject to building codes or fire rating requirements.
Considerations: This is not a DIY-friendly material. It requires professional installation and commercial adhesive. Removal is permanent — it is not designed to be repositioned or taken down cleanly. It is the right choice when durability and code compliance matter more than removability.
Terralon Smooth Type II — $6.50/sq ft
Terralon is a smooth-finish, LEED Platinum-compliant commercial wallcovering. It meets Type II commercial standards while also qualifying for green building certifications, making it the go-to material for sustainable commercial projects.
Why choose it: Terralon is the choice when your project has sustainability requirements. It is LEED Platinum compliant, contributing to credits in multiple LEED categories. The smooth finish provides a clean, modern look that works well with geometric and photographic designs.
Installation: Same as Suede Type II — commercial-grade adhesive, professional installation recommended. See installation instructions.
Best rooms: Healthcare facilities, government buildings, LEED-certified office projects, educational institutions, and any commercial project pursuing green building certification.
Considerations: At $6.50 per square foot, it is positioned as a premium commercial material. The smooth finish shows wall imperfections more readily than the textured Suede option, so wall preparation is especially important. Not typically used for residential projects unless sustainability is a specific goal.
Peel & Stick Linen — $7.50/sq ft
Peel and stick linen is the premium residential option. It combines the removability of peel-and-stick application with a linen-textured finish that looks and feels like woven fabric on the wall.
Why choose it: The linen texture creates a high-end, tactile finish that elevates a room in a way that flat or canvas materials do not. It is the material interior designers most often specify for residential projects where the goal is a sophisticated, layered look. And because it is peel-and-stick, installation is straightforward.
Installation: Same peel-and-apply method as Peel & Stick Canvas. No paste, no water.
Best rooms: Primary bedrooms, formal living rooms, dining rooms, designer-curated accent walls, and any residential space where the wallpaper is a focal design element rather than a background texture.
Considerations: At $7.50 per square foot, it is the highest-priced option. The linen texture is beautiful but makes the material slightly thicker, which means it requires a bit more care during installation to avoid trapping air under the heavier material.
Room-by-Room Recommendations
Different rooms create different demands. Here is a quick reference for matching materials to spaces.
| Room | Best Material(s) | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Living room | Pre-Pasted, Peel & Stick Linen | Low moisture, high visibility — choose based on budget vs. premium finish |
| Bedroom | Any peel-and-stick option, Pre-Pasted | Low traffic, easy to change with design tastes |
| Nursery / Kids' room | Peel & Stick Canvas | Removable when the child outgrows the design |
| Kitchen | Suede Type II, Terralon | Moisture and grease resistance, wipeable |
| Bathroom | Suede Type II, Terralon | Humidity resistance, commercial-grade durability |
| Home office | Pre-Pasted, Peel & Stick Canvas | Budget-friendly, video call backdrop worthy |
| Rental apartment | Peel & Stick Canvas, Peel & Stick Linen | Fully removable, no wall damage |
| Hotel / hospitality | Suede Type II, Terralon | Commercial-grade durability, code compliant |
| Healthcare | Terralon Smooth Type II | LEED compliant, cleanable, meets facility standards |
| Restaurant / retail | Suede Type II | Scuff resistant, high-traffic rated |
Renters vs. Homeowners: Which Material Should You Choose?
If You Rent
Your priority is removability. You need wallpaper that peels off cleanly without damaging walls, pulling off paint, or leaving adhesive residue — because you want your security deposit back.
Choose: Peel & Stick Canvas ($5.50/sq ft) or Peel & Stick Linen ($7.50/sq ft). Both are fully removable and repositionable. Canvas is the budget-friendly option; Linen is the premium choice for a more refined texture.
Avoid: Pre-Pasted and Type II materials, which bond permanently and require soaking or scraping to remove.
If You Own
You have more flexibility. If you want a permanent design statement, Pre-Pasted or Type II materials provide a secure, lasting bond. If you like changing your decor seasonally or with design trends, peel-and-stick options let you swap designs without repainting or repairing.
For a permanent installation: Pre-Pasted ($5.00/sq ft) for budget-conscious projects, or Suede Type II ($6.00/sq ft) for maximum durability.
For a changeable installation: Peel & Stick Canvas or Peel & Stick Linen, depending on your finish preference and budget.
Commercial Projects: Choosing the Right Specification
Commercial wallcovering selection is driven by building codes, durability ratings, and certification requirements rather than personal preference alone.
Both Suede Type II and Terralon Smooth Type II meet ASTM F793 Type II standards, which specify minimum performance thresholds for:
- Tear resistance
- Abrasion resistance (Wyzenbeek method)
- Stain resistance
- Colorfastness to light
- Flame spread and smoke development (ASTM E84)
If your project requires LEED certification, choose Terralon. It is LEED Platinum compliant and contributes to credits in Indoor Environmental Quality and Materials & Resources categories.
If sustainability is not a requirement, Suede Type II provides comparable durability at a lower price point ($6.00 vs. $6.50 per square foot) with the added benefit of a textured finish that hides minor wall imperfections.
For large commercial orders, contact Applied Coverings directly to discuss volume pricing, lead times, and material samples.
Pricing Summary
| Material | Per Sq Ft | 8 ft x 10 ft Wall (80 sq ft) | 10 ft x 12 ft Wall (120 sq ft) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-Pasted | $5.00 | $400 | $600 |
| Peel & Stick Canvas | $5.50 | $440 | $660 |
| Suede Type II | $6.00 | $480 | $720 |
| Terralon Smooth Type II | $6.50 | $520 | $780 |
| Peel & Stick Linen | $7.50 | $600 | $900 |
Prices are based on printed area in square feet. Use the product configurator to enter your exact wall dimensions and see a real-time price quote.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the most durable wallpaper material?
The Suede Type II (20oz) and Terralon Smooth Type II are the most durable options. Both meet ASTM F793 Type II commercial standards for tear resistance, abrasion resistance, and stain resistance. They are designed for high-traffic commercial environments like hotels, offices, and restaurants.
Which wallpaper is best for renters?
Peel & Stick Canvas ($5.50/sq ft) is the best option for renters. It is fully removable and repositionable without damaging walls or leaving adhesive residue. For a premium look, Peel & Stick Linen ($7.50/sq ft) offers the same removability with a woven fabric texture.
Can I use peel-and-stick wallpaper in a bathroom?
Peel-and-stick materials are not recommended for bathrooms with showers or bathtubs, where sustained humidity can weaken the adhesive over time. For bathrooms, Suede Type II or Terralon Smooth Type II provide moisture resistance and commercial-grade durability. A half-bath or powder room with good ventilation can work with peel-and-stick.
What is Type II wallcovering?
Type II is a commercial classification defined by ASTM F793. It specifies minimum performance standards for wallcoverings used in commercial environments, including tear strength, abrasion resistance, stain resistance, and flame spread ratings. Applied Coverings offers two Type II materials: Suede Type II ($6.00/sq ft) and Terralon Smooth Type II ($6.50/sq ft).
How do I know which material looks best with my design?
The Applied Coverings product configurator lets you preview any design on any material before ordering. Select a pattern or upload your own image, choose a material, and see a live preview with accurate texture rendering. You can also request physical material samples by contacting our team.
Choose Your Material and Get Started
Now that you know the differences, browse the full wallpaper collection and use the configurator to preview designs on your preferred material. Every piece is custom printed in California and shipped to your door.
Need help deciding? Our team works with homeowners, designers, and commercial clients every day. Contact Applied Coverings for personalized material recommendations, or visit our showrooms in San Jose, San Francisco, or Los Angeles to see and feel the materials in person.
For measurement help before ordering, read our guide on how to measure your walls for custom wallpaper. For installation details by material type, see our wallpaper installation instructions.
