GRASSCLOTH

HANGING INSTRUCTIONS

STOP: DO NOT CUT OR INSTALL UNTIL YOU HAVE READ THESE INSTRUCTIONS

Grasscloth is a unique and often stunning decorative wallcovering, which has rapidly grown in popularity among discerning homeowners. It is made by weaving dyed and knotted lengths of grasses and reeds on a warp of string or decorative yarn. This mosaic of natural plants is hand crafted, so every inch has its own character. It must be hung with special techniques to optimize the natural beauty and minimize the differences of each sheet. What follows are concepts we have developed by doing testing and gathering information from paperhangers with great skill, who have learned to turn the irregularities of grasscloth into rooms blooming with texture, colors and the variety of a forest, meadow or a tropical jungle. For the best results, we recommend a professional wallcovering installer should hang these wallcoverings.

BEFORE YOU CUT OR HANG, PLEASE BE SURE YOU HAVE:

1. The correct wallcovering, dye lots match and the correct amount of wallcovering to finish the job.

2. Inspect the wallcovering carefully to ensure it is free of defects:

If no defect is evident before installation, the material should be inspected after three strips are installed. If any defect is evident at this time (or at any point in the installation) no additional material should be hung until Thibaut is notified. NO CLAIMS WILL BE ALLOWED FOR MORE THAN THREE STRIPS ON THE WALL. All claims must be made within 20 days of invoice date. NO LABOR CLAIMS WILL BE ALLOWED AT ANY TIME.

If you have any questions, please stop and contact us before proceeding.

WALL PREPARATION:

1. The walls to be covered must be properly prepared to ensure that the wallpaper will adhere to the wall. Even the strongest adhesive can only work when the wall surface is clean and properly prepared.

2. We recommend the use of a Universal Pre-Wallcovering Primer on all surfaces prior to the installation of this wallcovering. The use of a pre-wallcovering primer assures a properly prepared surface, increases adhesion and makes hanging easier.

3. Allow the primer to dry thoroughly before hanging.

ADHESIVE:

1. We recommend a clear pre-mixed vinyl adhesive.

2. Apply the paste to the back of the paper, which will become flexible and easier to hang. Pasted rolls should be booked for 2 to 5 minutes, to allow the paper to absorb moisture and relax. Do not over soak, as it may cause the grasscloth to separate from the paper backing.

INSTALLATION:

1. First the rolls and then the strips must be sorted by color intensity, from dark to light and hang them in the sequence the sorting has created. In some cases the bolts may come with a sequence number printed on the label for sorting assistance.

2. Grasscloth always panels to some extent and this is not a defect but a phenomenon of nature. Following these directions will minimize this effect.

3. Always start and end in a corner. This way the dark and light strips joining in the corner will be far less noticeable. Do not wrap a corner if the next strip is noticeably different, just trim and start again.

4. With random designs reverse hang the strips; this will reduce most of the paneling from sudden shade shifts to pleasant undulations of color.

5. Strips with light edges must be trimmed off or rejected. Some varieties of grass are difficult to dye evenly all the way to the edge and leave a light vertical band an inch or two from the edge that is noticeably lighter. You can overlap and double cut these bands off but the easiest way is to trim them off at your work table.

6. The decorative ink on the grass is made of water or alcohol dyes and are sensitive to water. Do not allow paste or water to stain the front of the wallcovering. Both paste and water will change the color of the natural weave on the face of the paper.

7. Do not handle with wet hands. If you get dye on your hands, wash them with liquid dishwashing detergent and water. Dry your hands completely before touching the paper.

8. Smooth with a soft brush, a dry soft sponge or your hands. Do not use plastic or metal blades. Do not use a seam roller.

9. Use a vacuum with a soft bristle brush to clean grasscloth. Water should not be applied at any time for cleaning.

10. Grasscloth use in a bathroom: if you have a bathroom with a shower or tub that doesn’t remove humidity well, or a wall close to a toilet in a half bath the installation of grasscloth should be avoided.