Retail Wallcovering: Stores, Showrooms and Fitting Rooms
Retail walls take carts, fixtures and constant resets, and store rollouts need repeatable color. This page lists the documented properties to compare Koroseal commercial wallcovering for retail interiors.
What to look for
- Durability type. Wolf-Gordon lists retail among heavy-traffic settings for Type II and suggests Type III for wainscots or low areas exposed to movable equipment (see the Type guide).
- Fire test results with their conditions. Koroseal Type II fact sheets report ASTM E84 Class A on GRC board with A-848-B adhesive and NFPA 286 "meets requirements" on 5/8 in Type X gypsum board with A-848-B adhesive. The required class depends on occupancy, location and sprinklers; confirm with the authority having jurisdiction (see the fire ratings guide).
- Cleanability. Koroseal states that its standard wallcoverings are protected with a water-based coating that aids stain resistance and cleanability, and recommends prompt stain removal.
- Repeat and match for feature walls. Read the vertical repeat and match on the fact sheet; large repeats add yardage (see the ordering guide).
- Color consistency across stores. Koroseal tells installers to separate goods by shade lot and to stop after three strips if appearance is in question. Ask for the shade lot when ordering for several locations.
- Specification text. Koroseal publishes a 09 72 00 architectural specification for vinyl and PVC-free wallcovering.
Small orders: our minimum is 15 yards in 15 yard increments, with a $3.50 per yard cut fee under 30 yards. We sell Koroseal online by the yard, send samples, and prepare quotes and quantity take-offs; see how to order and commercial materials.
Site conditions on fast schedules
Koroseal's 09 72 00 specification asks for a constant temperature of at least 60 F in the installation areas "for at least seven days prior to and throughout installation period and for seven days thereafter," storage above 55 F with rolls flat and not cross stacked, wall moisture no higher than 4%, and permanent building light during installation. It also calls for an inspection after the first three strips. Build these conditions into the schedule before the wallcovering arrives.
Documents for a submittal
Koroseal's 09 72 00 specification asks the contractor to "submit a sample of each type and color to be installed for the architect's approval" and a manufacturer's certification that the wallcovering meets the specification, and states that the manufacturer shall certify at shipment that the material meets its published ASTM E84 flame spread and smoke development ratings. For each Koroseal family, the documents usually available are the fact sheet, the 09 72 00 specification, cleaning instructions, hanging instructions and, for many Type II lines, an EPD, an HPD and a VOC emissions report. Request the set that matches the exact backing (woven or non-woven) you will buy.
Questions to confirm for your project
- Which walls are exposed to carts or fixtures and need Type III?
- What fire class does the AHJ require, and is the space sprinklered?
- How many stores will use the same pattern, and can they share a shade lot?
- What is the install window, and when must material be on site?
- Does the landlord or brand standard require specific documents?
Questions
- Which type is common in retail?
- Wolf-Gordon lists retail among heavy-traffic settings for Type II. For wainscots or areas hit by carts and fixtures, it suggests Type III.
- Can I match color across several stores?
- Order from one shade lot when possible and keep the shade lot number from the roll label. Koroseal's instructions call for separating goods by shade lot.
- What are the minimum order and cut fee?
- We sell by the yard with a 15 yard minimum in 15 yard increments, and charge $3.50 per yard on orders under 30 yards. Samples are $6.20.