3M™ DI-NOC™ Wood Grain Series Explained: WG vs FW vs DW vs MW vs PW
3M DI-NOC offers six separate wood grain series, and choosing the right one matters. Each series uses different printing, embossing, and coating technology to achieve a distinct look and feel - and they're priced accordingly. This guide breaks down what makes each series different, what it's best for, and which functional variants (Exterior, Matte, Abrasion Resistant) are available in each.
If you're specifying wood grain film for a commercial project or choosing a pattern for a renovation, understanding the differences between WG, FW, DW, MW, PW, and WG-GN will save you from ordering the wrong product.
Quick Comparison
| Series | Full Name | Best For | Finish | Price Tier |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| WG | Wood Grain | General use, large projects, budget-conscious specs | Standard | $ |
| FW | Fine Wood | Feature walls, focal points, hospitality design | Standard | $$ |
| DW | Dry Wood | Rustic, industrial, weathered aesthetics | Matte only | $$$ |
| PW | Premium Wood | Executive spaces, high-end commercial, luxury hospitality | Matte only | $$$ |
| MW | Metallic Wood | Contemporary/modern design, accent surfaces | Metallic sheen | $$ |
| WG-GN | Recycled Wood Grain | LEED projects, sustainability-focused specs | Standard | $$ |
WG (Wood Grain) - The Workhorse
The WG series is the largest and most versatile wood grain collection in the DI-NOC lineup, with over 160 patterns spanning dozens of wood species and tones. It's also the most affordable wood series, which makes it the default choice for large-scale commercial projects where you need consistent wood grain coverage across many surfaces without blowing the budget.
WG patterns use standard-scale grain printing with embossed surface texture. The result is a realistic wood finish that works well across walls, doors, cabinets, and furniture - though the grain detail isn't as large or as visually dramatic as the Fine Wood (FW) series.
What makes WG unique:
- Largest pattern selection of any wood series (160+)
- Most affordable DI-NOC wood option
- Available in Exterior (WG-EX) variants for outdoor use
- Available in Abrasion Resistant (WG-AR) for high-traffic areas
- Horizontal grain option (WG-H) for single-sheet door applications
- WG-GN recycled content variant (see below)
Best applications: Office renovations, hotel room doors, cabinet refacing at scale, retail fixtures, healthcare corridors - anywhere you need good-looking wood grain across a lot of surface area.
Browse WG (Wood Grain) patterns
FW (Fine Wood) - The Design Statement
The FW series is where DI-NOC wood grain starts to get serious about visual realism. Fine Wood patterns feature larger, more detailed grain structures that put the natural character of the wood front and center. Where WG gives you a clean, versatile wood tone, FW gives you the kind of dramatic grain detail you'd see in a high-end wood veneer.
With over 170 patterns, FW is actually a larger collection than WG. It sits at a mid-range price point - more than WG, but less than the premium DW and PW series.
What makes FW unique:
- Larger, more detailed grain patterns than WG
- 170+ patterns - the largest wood series by pattern count
- Largest selection of Exterior (FW-EX) patterns of any series (30+)
- Available in Abrasion Resistant (FW-AR)
- Multiple horizontal grain options (FW-H) with matching vertical counterparts
Best applications: Feature walls, executive offices, hotel lobbies, reception desks, restaurant interiors, elevator lobbies - anywhere the wood finish is a design focal point rather than background material.
WG vs. FW - the key difference: Think of WG as the wood grain you'd use to cover 200 hotel room doors consistently and affordably. FW is the wood grain you'd use on the lobby feature wall where guests form their first impression. Both are realistic, but FW has more visual depth and presence.
Browse FW (Fine Wood) patterns
DW (Dry Wood) - The Weathered Look
The DW series targets a specific aesthetic: weathered, aged, reclaimed-looking wood. These patterns replicate the kind of wood you'd find in a restored barn, a coastal boardwalk, or a Japanese wabi-sabi interior. It's the series to reach for when the design intent is rustic, industrial, or intentionally imperfect.
Every DW pattern comes exclusively in 3M's Matte (MT) finish, which adds an ultra-low gloss topcoat that's fingerprint-resistant. This matte surface enhances the weathered aesthetic but does require more careful handling during installation - the matte topcoat is more susceptible to scratches and marks from squeegees.
What makes DW unique:
- Weathered and aged wood aesthetics not available in other series
- Matte (MT) finish only - fingerprint-resistant, ultra-low gloss
- Deep embossing for realistic tactile texture
- No Exterior (EX) or Abrasion Resistant (AR) variants
- Premium price tier alongside PW
Best applications: Rustic restaurant design, industrial-chic offices, boutique hotels, coffee shops, retail environments going for an artisan or reclaimed wood look.
Installation note: Because DW is exclusively Matte, always wrap your squeegee in a soft cloth during installation. The matte surface scratches more easily than standard DI-NOC, and deep scratches won't recover. Work in a clean, dust-free environment.
PW (Premium Wood) - The Luxury Option
If you need a wood grain film that's virtually indistinguishable from real wood veneer when viewed in person, the PW series is as close as DI-NOC gets. Premium Wood combines 3M's highest-resolution printing, deep embossing that replicates real wood texture to the touch, and the same Matte Coating Technology used in the DW series for fingerprint resistance.
Like DW, PW is available exclusively in Matte (MT) finish. It sits at the top of the DI-NOC wood pricing scale alongside DW. The premium here is the level of realism - PW patterns are designed for applications where people will be close enough to touch the surface and where a lesser film would be detected as artificial.
What makes PW unique:
- Most realistic wood grain film in the DI-NOC lineup
- Deep embossing for authentic tactile feel
- Matte (MT) finish only - fingerprint-resistant
- High-resolution printing with Controlled Reflection Technology
- No Exterior (EX) or Abrasion Resistant (AR) variants
Best applications: Executive boardrooms, luxury hotel suites, high-end restaurant millwork, private offices, yacht interiors - spaces where quality is paramount and the wood finish will be seen and touched at close range.
Browse PW (Premium Wood) patterns
MW (Metallic Wood) - The Conversation Starter
MW is the most distinctive wood series in the DI-NOC catalog. These patterns print wood grain onto a metallic base layer, creating a finish that reads as wood from a distance but catches light with a subtle metallic shimmer up close. It's a contemporary, almost futuristic take on wood grain that doesn't exist in natural materials.
MW sits at a mid-range price point similar to FW. It's a smaller collection than the other wood series, designed for accent and feature applications rather than full-room coverage.
What makes MW unique:
- Wood grain pattern printed on metallic base - unique visual effect
- Available with a Glass (DG) variant for behind-glass applications
- No Matte (MT), Exterior (EX), or Abrasion Resistant (AR) variants
- Smaller pattern selection - designed for accents, not wall-to-wall
Best applications: Feature walls, accent panels, reception desks, retail display fixtures, elevator accent panels, hospitality design elements - anywhere you want wood warmth with a modern, unexpected edge.
Browse MW (Metallic Wood) patterns
WG-GN (Recycled Wood Grain) - The Sustainable Choice
WG-GN is a subset of the WG series made with recycled and bio-based materials as part of 3M's sustainability initiative. These patterns use a recycled content base and are designed for projects pursuing LEED certification or other green building standards.
What makes WG-GN unique:
- Recycled material content for sustainability goals
- Contributes to LEED Material Reuse credits
- Standard WG-level appearance and performance
- Shorter roll lengths (25m vs. standard 50m)
- Smaller pattern selection than standard WG
Best applications: LEED-certified projects, government buildings with sustainability requirements, corporate offices with green building commitments, healthcare facilities pursuing environmental certifications.
Functional Variants at a Glance
Not every wood series is available in every functional variant. This matters when your project has specific performance requirements like outdoor durability or high-traffic resistance.
| Series | Exterior (EX) | Matte (MT) | Abrasion Resistant (AR) | Glass (DG) | Horizontal (H) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| WG | Yes (8 patterns) | No | Yes | No | Yes (1 pattern) |
| FW | Yes (30+ patterns) | No | Yes | Yes | Yes (11+ patterns) |
| DW | No | All (MT only) | No | No | No |
| PW | No | All (MT only) | No | No | No |
| MW | No | No | No | Yes | No |
| WG-GN | No | No | No | No | No |
Key takeaway: If your project requires an exterior-rated wood grain, your options are FW-EX (largest selection, 30+ patterns) or WG-EX (8 patterns). If you need abrasion resistance for high-traffic interiors, look at FW-AR or WG-AR. The premium series (DW, PW) trade functional versatility for visual excellence - they're matte-only with no exterior or abrasion-resistant options.
How to Choose the Right Series
Start with budget: If cost per square foot is the primary constraint, start with WG. It's the most affordable and has the widest selection.
Then consider visibility: If the wood surface is a design focal point where people will look closely, step up to FW for more grain detail, or PW for the most realistic finish available.
Match the design intent: Rustic or weathered looks belong to DW. Contemporary spaces wanting something unexpected should look at MW. Traditional commercial renovation defaults to WG or FW depending on budget.
Check your functional requirements: Outdoor application? You need EX variants (FW or WG only). High-traffic corridor? You need AR variants (FW or WG only). Want fingerprint resistance? DW and PW come with Matte coating built in.
Order samples: Screen images don't capture the embossing, sheen, or color accuracy of these films. The difference between WG and PW is immediately obvious when you hold them in your hand. Order samples for any patterns you're considering.
All Wood Grain Collections
Need help choosing the right wood series for your project? Contact us with your application details and we'll point you in the right direction.
For installation tips specific to Matte series films (DW and PW), see our DI-NOC Installation Guide. For general questions about DI-NOC including durability, fire ratings, and surface compatibility, check our DI-NOC FAQ.