Type I vs Type II vs Type III Commercial Wallcovering

What Type I, Type II and Type III mean

The Wallcoverings Association standard W-101 (2025 edition) covers polymer coated fabric wallcovering "for institutional and commercial use" and sorts it into three types "based upon specific physical test requirements": Type I, Light Duty, "intended for use in areas of low wear"; Type II, Medium Duty, for "areas of medium wear"; and Type III, Heavy Duty, for "areas of heavy wear." The federal specification CCC-W-408D (Wall Covering, Vinyl-Coated, dated January 14, 1994) uses the same three names: light duty, medium duty and heavy duty. Notice 1 (2001) canceled CCC-W-408D and Notice 2 reinstated it, stating that it "may be used for acquisition."

A type is earned by passing a set of physical tests, not by weight alone. W-101 states that to conform, wallcovering "shall meet the physical test requirements described in Table I."

Selected test minimums by type

Requirement	Source	Type I	Type II	Type III
Total weight, oz per sq yd (min), PVC or polyolefin coated	W-101 (2025)	7.0	13.0	22.0
Total weight	CCC-W-408D	No weight requirement in Table I
Scrubbability, double rubs (min)	CCC-W-408D and W-101	200	300	500
Abrasion resistance, cycles (min)	CCC-W-408D	200	300	1000
Breaking strength, lb (min), machine / cross direction	CCC-W-408D	40 / 30	50 / 55	100 / 95
Breaking strength, lbf (min), each direction	W-101 (2025)	30	50	95
Tear resistance, scale rating (min)	CCC-W-408D	12	25	50
Stain resistance, reagents	CCC-W-408D	1-9	1-12	1-12
Stain resistance, reagents	W-101 (2025)	1-7	1-10	1-10

Both documents also cover colorfastness to light, washability, crocking, blocking, coating adhesion, cold crack, heat aging and shrinkage. CCC-W-408D adds a fire line for every type: flame spread 25 maximum and smoke development 50 maximum by ASTM E84. W-101 handles fire separately as Class A or Class B (see the fire ratings guide).

Weight per square yard vs. per linear yard

The weight minimums above are per square yard and come from W-101. CCC-W-408D does not set a weight, so a weight printed on a fact sheet is not a federal specification value. Manufacturers usually quote weight per linear yard of goods, which produces bigger numbers:

Source	Type I	Type II	Type III
Wolf-Gordon, per 54 in linear yard ("typically")	19 oz or less	20-32 oz	over 33 oz
Koroseal, per linear yard	12-19 oz	20-28 oz	over 33 oz

One linear yard of 54 in goods is 36 in by 54 in, or 1.5 square yards. A Type II product listed at 20 oz per 54 in linear yard therefore weighs about 13.3 oz per square yard, just above the W-101 Type II minimum of 13.0. Koroseal's Alara fact sheet shows both figures: "20 oz. ply" and "13.3 oz. psy."

ASTM F793 categories

ASTM F793/F793M classifies wall coverings "by use characteristics, that is, according to their serviceability in use." It does not apply to exterior walls or to rigid panel products. Specification templates such as the New York State MasterSpec section 09 72 00 list six categories, and map the top three to the commercial types:

• Category I: Decorative Only
• Category II: Decorative with Medium Serviceability
• Category III: Decorative with High Serviceability
• Category IV: Type I, Commercial Serviceability (Vinyl Coated)
• Category V: Type II, Commercial Serviceability (Vinyl Coated)
• Category VI: Type III, Commercial Serviceability (Vinyl Coated)

Typical uses

Koroseal describes Type I for "low-traffic areas, like ceilings or office meeting rooms," Type II as "more useful in hallways and lobbies," and Type III as "often used at lower heights in hospital and school halls." Wolf-Gordon calls Type II "the most widely specified category for commercial interiors" and places Type III on wainscots or low areas exposed to movable equipment. These are manufacturer descriptions; the designer of record sets the type for each area.

How to read a commercial wallcovering fact sheet

1. Type claims and the standard behind each. Koroseal Type II fact sheets list "WA-101, Type II," "CCC-W-408D, Type II" and "ASTM F-793 Category V, Type II." Each is a separate claim against a separate document.
2. Weight and its unit. "ply" means per linear yard and "psy" per square yard. Compare like with like.
3. Roll width and nominal pattern width. The Arid PVC-Free Type II sheet lists a roll width of 52-54 in and a nominal pattern width of 51 in. Estimate with the usable width (see the ordering guide).
4. Tensile and tear. For example, "50 x 55 lbf" tensile and "25 x 25 lbf" tear, given in both directions.
5. Fire tests and their footnotes. Koroseal footnotes its ASTM E84 Class A result to "GRC board with A-848-B adhesive" and its NFPA 286 result to "5/8 in Type-X gypsum board with A-848-B adhesive."
6. Backing and match. Woven or non-woven; random, straight, half drop or reverse hang.
7. Indoor air. For example, "California 01350, meets emission requirements for schools and offices."

You can filter our catalog to Type II products at Type II commercial wallcovering, or return to Commercial Wallcoverings.