Question 1

Why does wallpaper default to a higher waste allowance than paint or tile?

Accepted Answer

Patterned wallpaper needs to be aligned between strips (pattern matching), which wastes more material than a plain painted or tiled surface. 15% is a reasonable default; large-repeat patterns can need 20-25%.

Question 2

Does roll coverage account for the pattern repeat?

Accepted Answer

The standard roll coverage figure (e.g. 56 sqft) is based on the roll's raw dimensions, not the usable coverage after pattern matching. That's exactly why the waste allowance exists, to approximate the material lost to aligning repeats.

Question 3

What's the difference between a single, double and triple roll?

Accepted Answer

Wallpaper is sold in bundled roll sizes with different total coverage, a double roll covers roughly twice a single roll's area. Enter the actual coverage figure for the specific bundle size you're buying, not a generic single-roll default.

Question 4

Should I calculate each wall separately or use total room wall area?

Accepted Answer

For a room with different patterns per wall, calculate each wall separately. For a single continuous pattern throughout, total wall area works fine, just make sure you're consistently including or excluding door and window openings.

Question 5

Should I subtract doors and windows from wall area first?

Accepted Answer

It's more accurate to subtract them, though the waste allowance provides some buffer if you use gross area instead. For a precise roll count on a room with large openings, use net wall area (gross minus doors/windows).

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