Wellness Standard
WELL Building Standard & Natural Wallcovering
Natural wallcovering contributes to multiple WELL concepts — Mind (biophilia), Materials (low-VOC, natural fiber), and Comfort (acoustic dampening). Here is how to specify and document for WELL certification.
Key Takeaways
- See detailed sections below.
Which WELL Concepts Does Wallcovering Support?
| WELL Concept | Feature | How Wallcovering Helps |
|---|---|---|
| Mind | Biophilia I (Precondition) | Natural material = nature integration in biophilia plan |
| Mind | Biophilia II (Optimization) | Wall coverage area with natural material counts toward biophilic coverage |
| Materials | Material Transparency | Low-VOC natural fiber, no PVC, material health documentation |
| Materials | Restricted Ingredients | Natural fiber avoids restricted substance lists (no phthalates, PVC) |
| Comfort | Sound | Cork and grasscloth provide acoustic dampening |
| Comfort | Thermal | Cork provides thermal insulation |
How Do You Document for WELL?
- Material health documentation: Ingredient disclosure, VOC test reports, HPD or Declare label
- Biophilia plan integration: Include natural wallcovering in the project biophilia narrative
- Acoustic test data: NRC ratings for cork, sound absorption coefficients if available
- Manufacturer declarations: Letters confirming material composition and compliance
- Installation photos: Document natural material coverage area for biophilia quantification
How Does WELL Compare to LEED for Wallcovering?
| Aspect | LEED | WELL |
|---|---|---|
| Focus | Building environmental impact | Occupant health and wellbeing |
| Wallcovering relevance | Low-VOC, bio-based content | Biophilia, material health, acoustics |
| Documentation | EPD, VOC reports, recycled content | HPD, Declare, biophilia plan, acoustics |
| Natural fiber advantage | Good — bio-based, renewable | Strong — biophilic, healthy, acoustic |
For LEED-specific guidance, see our LEED credits guide. For biophilic design strategy, see our biophilic design guide.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many WELL credits can wallcovering earn?
Natural wallcovering can contribute to credits across 3 WELL concepts: Mind (Biophilia I and II), Materials (material transparency and restricted ingredients), and Comfort (Sound and Thermal). It cannot earn credits independently but contributes to multiple credit requirements.
Is WELL certification different from LEED?
Yes. LEED focuses on environmental sustainability of the building. WELL focuses on occupant health and wellbeing. Natural wallcovering benefits both — low environmental impact (LEED) plus biophilic and material health benefits (WELL). Many projects pursue both certifications.
Do I need WELL AP to specify for WELL?
No, but having a WELL AP on the project team helps ensure correct documentation and credit optimization. The wallcovering specification itself follows the same format as any other material specification.