Specification Guide

How to Specify Natural Wallcoverings

A practical guide for architects and designers writing wallcovering specifications — covering performance criteria, fire ratings, seam expectations, backing options and submittal language.

Updated: May 2026By: Grasscloths Team7 min read

When specifying natural wallcoverings, the key items to define are: material type (grasscloth, sisal, etc.), fire rating requirement (ASTM E84 / EN 13501 / GB 8624), backing type (paper or non-woven), width and coverage, color reference (Pantone or sample match), and seam expectation (visible paneling is inherent to natural materials). Always request physical samples and a test panel before final specification.

Why Natural Wallcoverings Need Special Specification

Unlike manufactured wallpapers, natural wallcoverings are handcrafted from organic fibers. This means specifications must account for inherent material characteristics that would be considered defects in synthetic products — color variation between rolls, visible seams, and texture irregularity. A well-written specification protects both the designer and the installer by setting correct expectations upfront.

Key Specification Elements

1. Material & Fiber Type

Specify the exact material category and acceptable fiber types:

Grasscloth: arrowroot, jute, seagrass, reed or hemp
Sisal: agave sisalana or equivalent agave fiber
Wood Veneer: species (oak, walnut, ash, etc.), cut type (rotary, quarter-sawn)
Gold Foil: finish (gold, silver, copper, champagne), oxidation level
Cork: cork oak bark thickness, with/without color treatment
Mica: mica flake size (fine, medium, coarse), backing color

2. Fire Rating

Standard	Region	Rating	Notes
ASTM E84	United States	Class A or Class C	Required for most commercial interiors; Class A needs FR treatment
EN 13501	Europe	B-s1,d0 to D-s2,d2	Euroclass system; specify exact class required
GB 8624	China	Class B1	Standard for domestic market; our default rating
BS 476 Part 7	UK	Class 1	Surface spread of flame test

Important: Standard natural wallcoverings are not inherently fire-rated to ASTM E84 Class A. Fire-retardant (FR) treatment must be specified and applied during production. This adds 10–15% to the unit cost and 5–7 days to lead time.

3. Backing Type

Paper backing — traditional, suitable for paste-the-wall installation. Lighter weight, easier to trim.
Non-woven backing — stronger, more dimensionally stable. Better for high-humidity environments and easier to remove when redecorating. Recommended for commercial specifications.

4. Dimensions & Coverage

Standard width: 0.91 m (36″) for grasscloth, sisal, gold foil, mica; 0.60–1.20 m for wood veneer and cork
Standard roll length: 5.5–7.3 m depending on material
Allow 10–15% waste factor for pattern matching, cuts and corners

5. Seam & Color Expectations

Critical specification language: "Visible seams (paneling) between adjacent strips are an inherent characteristic of natural wallcoverings and shall not be considered a defect. Color variation between rolls is expected; contractor shall book panels from multiple rolls during installation to achieve a blended appearance."

Sample Specification Language

Use the following as a template — adapt to your project's CSI format and specific requirements:

SECTION 09 72 00 — WALL COVERINGS PART 2 — PRODUCTS 2.1 NATURAL WALLCOVERING A. Material: [Grasscloth / Sisal / Wood Veneer / Gold Foil / Cork / Mica] B. Fiber/Material: [e.g., hand-woven jute fiber on non-woven backing] C. Width: 0.91 m (36 in.), pre-trimmed D. Fire Performance: ASTM E84, Class [A / C], with fire-retardant treatment E. Color: [Pantone reference or supplier sample number] F. Backing: [Paper / Non-woven polyester] G. Supplier: Grasscloths (Chengdu Yuchen Space Decorative Materials Co., Ltd.) or approved equal PART 3 — EXECUTION 3.1 INSTALLATION A. Acclimatize rolls minimum 48 hours in installation environment B. Apply adhesive to wall surface (paste-the-wall method) C. Use smoothing brush; do not use seam roller on natural fibers D. Book panels from multiple rolls to blend natural color variation E. Visible seams between strips are an inherent material characteristic

Submittal Requirements

When submitting for project approval, include:

Physical sample — minimum A4 size, from the production dye lot if possible
Technical data sheet — fiber content, backing type, dimensions, weight
Fire test report — ASTM E84 or equivalent, from an accredited lab
Installation instructions — manufacturer's recommended procedures
Maintenance guide — cleaning and care instructions
Warranty statement — typically 1–3 years for manufacturing defects

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