WallTek® Residential Wallcovering Substrate

The WallTek line of easy-to-use wallcovering substrates is specifically designed for residential applications. These new direct-print nonwovens are dimensionally stable, can easily dry-hang, and have excellent dry-strip characteristics without using special tools or adhesives.

With WallTek, do-it-yourselfers and professional installers can choose from a number of standard residential pastes and enjoy easy installation and dry hangability every time. Other nonwoven substrates designed to dry-hang often require installers to use a specially formulated, high-priced paste or primers. And whether you paste-the-wall or use a prepasted substrate, HollTek substrate easily dry-strips every time, removing the nightmare of redecorating.

WallTek residential substrates have exceptional dimensional stability with less than 0.25% wet expansion and shrinkage in either direction. This characteristic makes them faster, easier, and more accurate to hang than paper-backed vinyl wallcoverings.

In addition, PVC-free WallTek is a smart alternative to vinyl coated wallcoverings. The material is highly breathable and resists the growth of unhealthy mold and mildew, a major concern in many households. According to a recent Wallcoverings Association publication, molds can produce allergens, microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOCs), mycotoxins, and other irritants, which may cause some people to become ill. For residential applications, WallTek is the smart alternative to vinyl (PVC) coated wallcoverings. It is highly breathable with a U.S. Perm rating of more than 30 prior to printing and 13 to 20 following printing, depending upon the weight of the base material and the decorative print layer. Permeability, or breathability, in construction and decorating material is an important issue in resisting mold and mildew growth. Mold tends to form on surfaces that trap moisture. Highly permeable materials inside the perimeter of the building allow air to circulate freely, preventing the entrapment of moisture. While there are no U.S. Government standards for wallcovering permeability, testing has shown that some materials are far more permeable than others depending on the substrate used. The permeability of a particular type of wallcovering varies depending on the weight and porosity of the material. Building materials for interior and exterior walls are generally separated into three classes based on their perm ratings, impermeable (less than 1 perm), semi-permeable (1 to 10 perms), and permeable or breathable (greater than 10 perms).

WallTek residential substrates are available in widths up to 57 inches and can be delivered with prepaste or ready to paste-the-wall. The WallTek family of residential products is currently being printed by leading wallcovering manufacturers for residential applications.

For a product summary sheet, click here.