Our Wallpaper Materials

What Is Our Wallpaper Made Of?

In addition to our creative patterns, we offer high quality, commercial grade material underneath the image.   

Desert Poppy's principal wallpaper line is made with Type II, 20 ounce PVC vinyl wallcovering, with a nonwoven fabric backing.  The professional installers who've installed our early projects all say how much they like the actual material.  

The Details

Type II (pronounced as “type two”) is a term to define a certain class of wallcovering. Type II represents mid to heavyweight products that weigh 20 ounces per 54″ linear yard. They are typically thicker, more durable, and most used in commercial projects.

Type I would be lighter; Type III would be heavier.  At a very basic level, the purpose of these Wallcovering Association classifications is to equate wallcovering products with varying levels of durability and safety. 

The product is durable, colorfast, washable, scratch-resistant, impact-resistant, fire-resistant, can be disinfected, and can resist bacteria.

The printed side uses water based inks.

Vinyl wallpaper is made with polyvinyl chloride (PVC), which may off-gas some volatile organic compounds (VOC’s), often noticeable when first installed, but dissipating rapidly over a few days. 

An Eco-Friendly Alternative

Our latest material innovation is TPO, the acronym for thermoplastic olefin.  TPO wall covering is a blend of different materials comprised of a thermoplastic (such as polypropylene), an elastomer (rubber) and a filler.  It is the most significant advancement in wall covering technology in more than 50 years. Environmentally safe, TPO is a PVC-free wall covering free of plasticisers, chlorine, formaldehyde, heavy metals, and halogenated fire retardants. Furthermore, it is printed using only water-based inks and coatings.  TPO has unique strength and performance properties and its production requires one third less energy than PVC film. By not using PVC, the potential dangers in manufacturing chlorine-based products are eliminated.

Key sustainability attributes of TPO wallpaper

  • PVC-free

  • No vinyl resins

  • Chlorine free

  • No heavy metals

  • Formaldehyde free

  • Halogen free

  • Low VOC

  • Can be safely incinerated, turning to water vapor.

At present, Desert Poppy can offer TPO only on special request, with a minimum order quantity of 400 square feet.  If you are interested in this option, please contact us by e-mail.

Sustainable Production

Our supplier works in accordance with a controlled and certified ISO 14001 environmental management system. Our vinyl wallcovering is made using environmentally friendly production processes. In addition, our supplier is a member of VinylPlus, an initiative started by the international vinyl-processing industry with the objective of promoting the sustainable production and use of vinyl. Bearing the CE label for vinyl wallcovering, the material also complies with the strictest requirements for fire safety.