Renovlies thicknesses: how many grams per m² is right?
120, 150, 180 or 200 gram Renovlies: the wrong choice leaves imperfections visible or makes the job needlessly expensive. Expert advice for every situation.
Not every wall needs the same thickness
The question comes up every week: "Which gram Renovlies do I need?" Online you'll find stories saying thicker is always better, or that 120 gram is perfectly fine for everything. The truth is more nuanced: the right thickness depends on the condition of your wall, not on a general rule of thumb.
The wrong choice costs you money or leaves visible imperfections in the final finish. Below we explain, per thickness, which situation each one is designed for.
What does grams per m² actually mean?
Renovlies is sold in weights such as 120, 150, 180 and 200 g/m². That number is the weight per square metre of wallpaper and indirectly tells you something about the thickness and strength:
- Higher weight = thicker and stronger wallpaper = better at bridging imperfections
- Higher weight = stiffer material = harder to apply around corners and curves
- Higher weight = more expensive per m²
The optimal thickness for you is therefore a balance between what your wall needs and what is realistic to apply.
Which thickness for new builds?
For most new-build projects, 150 gram is the ideal choice. The combination of crack-bridging ability, reasonable impact resistance and good workability makes it the standard for our team.
In three cases we deviate from this:
- Very smooth new builds (rare): 120 gram may be sufficient.
- New builds with visible concrete blemishes or formwork lines: 180 gram for extra coverage.
- High-traffic spaces (hallway, stairwell, children's room): 180 gram for impact resistance.
Read our page on Renovlies in new builds and moisture permeability for the technical background.
Request a free, no-obligation quote
Good surface preparation beats thicker Renovlies
A common misconception: "Just go for the thickest Renovlies and you'll hide everything." That's not true. A thicker sheet disguises larger imperfections, but in raking light you'll still see the shadows. Thicker Renovlies also adheres more stiffly and is harder to finish neatly in corners.
In practice, good surface preparation + 150 gram Renovlies almost always delivers a better end result than poor surface preparation + 200 gram Renovlies. That's why we typically spend 60-70% of our time on filling, sanding, removing concrete blemishes and priming. Read our guide on removing concrete blemishes before Renovlies for an example of what good surface preparation involves.
Smooth walls with Renovlies in a new-build home.
Renovlies 120 gram
The lightest option. Flexible, easy to apply and folds well in tricky corners. Suitable for: walls that are already perfectly smooth, light renovations of properties in good condition, straightforward new builds with few imperfections.
Not suitable for: older homes, walls with shrinkage cracks, high-traffic spaces. With larger imperfections, they will show through 120 gram.
Renovlies 150 gram
Our standard for most jobs. A good balance between crack-bridging ability, impact resistance and workability. Suitable for: standard new builds, regular renovations, living rooms, bedrooms and hallways.
This is what's included in our "Basis" and "Basis Plus" packages (see the price overview below).
Renovlies 180 gram
Noticeably stiffer and heavier. Suitable for: older properties with cracks around windows and doors, walls with more than superficial damage, high-traffic hallways and stairwells, children's rooms.
Application requires more experience. Especially in corners, an inexperienced wallpaper hanger can end up with creases. To be honest with DIYers: 180 gram is not the variant to start with.
Renovlies 200 gram
The heaviest option. Suitable for: heavily damaged walls, properties with substantial imperfections, situations where maximum impact resistance matters (commercial spaces, schools, busy entrance halls).
For most homes, 200 gram is overkill. We only recommend it after a physical inspection of the walls.
Price indication Renovlies 150 gram
Our Basis and Basis Plus packages include:
| Basis | Basis Plus | |
|---|---|---|
| Renovlies 150 gram or glass fibre 150 gram | ✓ | ✓ |
| Hand sanding and spot filling | ✓ | ✗ |
| Intensive machine sanding and (spot) filling | ✗ | ✓ |
| Priming / sealing | ✓ | ✓ |
| Filling seams with acrylic sealant | ✓ | ✓ |
| Latex in RAL 9016 / 9010 / pure white | ✓ | ✓ |
| Total excl. VAT | € 15.29 | € 18.55 |
| Total incl. VAT | € 18.50 | € 22.45 |
- A price without latex is also possible. Ask about the options.
- Quote from 75 m² onwards.
- Renovations of properties older than 2 years: base price + € 5 incl. VAT per m².
Which thickness suits your situation?
We never give thickness advice without having seen the walls. Raking light often reveals more imperfections than are visible to the naked eye, and that determines the choice. Also read our guide on saving costs with Renovlies for smart planning.
We visit free of charge, assess your walls and give you honest advice on which thickness is right. Even if that turns out to be 120 gram instead of 150. With our 100% coverage guarantee, you know the result will stay sharp, whatever variant is chosen.
Request a free, no-obligation quote now and get honest advice from a specialist who has actually seen your walls.