Single Roll, Double Roll & Two Roll Set, What Does It Mean?
When you’re shopping for wallpaper, you might see terms like single roll or double roll. Sometimes you will see a design listed as a two-roll-set. But what does all this mean? We’ll define these terms so that you have the knowledge you need when shopping for wallpaper.
Image: From Rebecca Plumb using Palm Springs designed by Jacqueline Colley
Single Roll vs. Double Roll
Single Roll
In the U.S.A., a single roll of wallpaper is typically defined as a wallpaper roll with the dimensions 21 inches wide and 16.5 feet in length (21″ x 16.5′).
Double Roll
A double roll usually has the dimensions of 21 inches wide and 33 feet in length (21″ x 33′). Therefore, the amount of wallpaper in a double roll is twice the amount of wallpaper in a single roll. This will often explain why some wallpaper is cheaper than others. You may only be buying a small amount. However, please note that there can be variations in these measurements depending on the manufacturer.
At Milton & King, every roll of wallpaper is 24 inches wide by 33 feet in length (24″ x 33′). This is fairly equivalent to a double roll size, however the size is specific to our production. If you are using a wallpaper installer to calculate the amount of wallpaper you need, it is important for the installer to know whether you are purchasing wallpaper from a company that is selling single rolls or double rolls, otherwise, you may order too much or too little. We find the wallpaper calculator on our website to be a very handy tool in helping you calculate the quantity of rolls you require as it takes into account our specific roll dimensions.
Image: From Kevin O’Gara using Cranes by Kingdom Home
Two Roll Set
Some of the designs on the Milton & King website are listed as being a two-roll-set. Two-roll-sets are a feature of larger scale designs. This means that a design like Cranes (shown above) is so large that it spans across two drops/strips of wallpaper before it repeats. When you shop for a two-roll-set design and you enter the quantity of one, this means you are getting one set (or two double rolls). When you receive your wallpaper set, you will receive an A-ROLL and a B-ROLL. This will be clearly marked on the header of your wallpaper. Unless otherwise specified, you install the wallpaper by alternating between the two rolls. So you will hang a drop from ROLL A, then a drop from ROLL B, then a drop from ROLL A, then ROLL B and so on across the wall. You cannot use all of ROLL A, then all of ROLL B as you will find the patterns don’t match up properly.
Here are a couple of examples of designs that are sold as a two-roll-set:
Kingdom Palm, a tropical wallpaper design.
Empress, a chinoiserie wallpaper design.
Now that you have a good understanding of single roll, double roll and two-roll-set, you are better equipped to shop for a wallpaper that makes sense for the size of your space. You will also avoid the hassle of ordering too little or too much. Finally, you won’t be fooled by a low price on wallpaper that only contains half the amount of wallpaper that comes in a double roll. So go on with your savvy self and shop for wallpaper with confidence.
