Breathable Wallcoverings Promote Higher Air Quality and Healthier Living Spaces

Pacific Designs International’s collections of handwoven natural fiber wallcoverings are not just environmentally friendly by construction, they are also environmentally friendly by design.  In addition to being made from all natural materials, these wallcoverings are among the most permeable (i.e. breathable) available, and can therefore provide healthier living spaces by inhibiting mold and mildew growth.

Why higher permeability leads to better health:

Molds and mildew can produce allergens, microbial volatile organic compounds (MVOCs), mycotoxins, and other irritants which may cause some people to become ill. 

As mold tends to form on surfaces that trap moisture, preventing the entrapment of moisture is crucial in resisting mold and mildew growth. The best way to avoid trapped moisture is through air circulation. The more permeable the material, the more air it allows to circulate, the less moisture it allows to build up, and the less mold is able to grow.

While there are no U.S. Government standards for wallcovering permeability, testing has shown that some wallcovering materials are far more permeable than others (see sidebar). Pacific Designs International’s Sisals, Jutes and Paperweaves all received ratings of Highly Permeable. Specific testing results are available from us upon customer request.

Bottom Line:

Choosing a highly permeable wallcovering is an easy way to inhibit mold growth without resorting to harsh chemical biocides, and an all-natural step towards promoting higher air quality.

Evaluating Wallcoverings For Permeability

The permeability, or breathability, of a particular type of wallcovering depends upon the weight and porosity of the material.  Wallcoverings can be separated into three general classes based on their perm ratings [a perm measures, at 73.4○ F (23○ C), the number of grains of water vapor that pass through a square foot of material per hour at a differential vapor pressure equal to one inch of mercury]: 

0 to 1 - Impermeable (Vapor Barrier – example: Type II vinyl wallcovering)

1 to 10 - Semi-permeable (Vapor retarder – example: Type I vinyl wallcovering)

10 to 40 - Permeable (Breathable – example: coated-paper handprinted wallcoverings)

Over 40 – Highly Permeable (Highest air circulation – example: handwoven natural fiber wallcoverings)

The above information is excerpted from “Cause, Effect and Response - A Study of Wallcovering Products,” produced jointly by the Wallcoverings Association and the Chemical Fabrics & Film Association, and “New Materials Resist Mold and Mildew Growth,”from Environmental Design + Construction Magazine’s March 9, 2004 issue.