The short answer
Grasscloth suits Margate living rooms, dens, offices and bedrooms that stay air-conditioned and dry. It needs a smooth, primed wall, rolls checked for shade before cutting, and paste kept off the face. Seams will show slightly, which is normal for a woven product.
Natural grasscloth softens a room in a way printed paper cannot. The woven strands catch light differently through the day, and the slight irregularity reads as handmade because it is. Margate homeowners in 33063 often choose it to warm up a dining room, a den or a home office that feels flat in builder paint. PrimeWall Interior Solutions hangs grasscloth throughout Margate, a quick seven-mile drive northwest from our Fort Lauderdale base. This page explains how grasscloth differs from regular wallpaper, the rooms in a Margate house or condo where it lasts longest, and the specific steps we take so seams look tidy and the face stays clean.
What sets grasscloth apart
Grasscloth is made from plant fibers such as sisal, arrowroot, jute, hemp or seagrass, woven or laid in strands and bonded to a paper backing. There is no printed pattern to match, so each seam is simply a butt joint between two woven edges. Even within one production run, color can drift from roll to roll and sometimes within a single roll.
That variation is part of the appeal, but it also means installation choices matter more. A careless order of panels can create a striped look, while a well-planned sequence produces a gentle, even field of texture.
- Sisal and arrowroot: fine, tight weaves with a soft sheen
- Jute and hemp: heavier texture with a rustic feel
- Seagrass: thicker strands and more pronounced variation
- Paper weave: a uniform alternative that still looks natural
Rooms in a Margate home that suit it
Grasscloth is happiest in rooms with steady temperature and humidity. In most Margate houses and condos, that means living rooms, dens, bedrooms, hallways and home offices, all of which sit under air conditioning most of the year. A dining room with a ceiling fan and no direct exterior door is another strong candidate.
Kitchens, full bathrooms and laundry rooms are poor fits. Cooking splatter and steam stain natural fibers, and water marks cannot be scrubbed out. For those spaces we suggest a vinyl wallcovering embossed to look like grasscloth, which can be wiped down.
Laying out the rolls
We start by confirming that every roll carries the same lot number. Then we unroll a length from each one and compare them side by side in the room's natural light. The most consistent rolls go on the wall you see first; rolls with a slightly different cast go behind bookshelves, above doors or on the least visible wall.
Many manufacturers recommend reversing alternate panels, flipping every other strip top to bottom, so shading at each edge lines up with a similar shade next door. We follow the maker's instructions, since some products are designed to hang in one direction only.
Prep and hanging details
Grasscloth will not hide a rough wall. Knockdown and orange-peel textures common in this area get skimmed flat and sanded. Patches from old anchors or a removed TV mount are filled and feathered. We seal the wall with a light-colored wallcovering primer, which matters on open weaves where small gaps let the background show.
Paste is rolled onto the back only, panels are booked for the recommended time, and each strip is smoothed with a soft brush. We keep a clean, dry cloth handy and never sponge the seams, because water leaves permanent marks on the fibers. Cuts at trim, outlets and corners use a fresh blade each time to prevent fraying.
Care after installation
Vacuum lightly with a brush attachment from time to time and keep cleaning sprays away. Strong afternoon sun through west-facing windows can fade natural dyes, so blinds or sheers are worth using in those rooms. If a panel gets damaged, it can usually be replaced with a spare from the same lot, so keep one extra roll stored flat in a dry closet.
We also install grasscloth for homeowners in North Lauderdale, Coconut Creek, Pompano Beach, Lauderdale Lakes and Lauderhill.
More services in Margate
- Wallpaper Installation in MargateLocal service & repairs
- Wallpaper Removal in MargateLocal service & repairs
- Accent Wall Installation in MargateLocal service & repairs
- Mural Installation in MargateLocal service & repairs
