A wall protector includes a retainer (20; 60, 64; 120) that is adapted to be attached to a building wall and a cover (30; 70; 130; 230) of an impact resistant thermoplastic polymeric material in the form of a thin web of suitable cross-section attached to the retainer portion of the retainer. The cover includes at least one substantially straight portion of substantially uniform cross section along its length and having a face portion (32; 74; 130a; 230a) overlying the retainer and a transition portion (36; 78; 130b; 230b) that is integral with the straight portion and has an end wall that curves smoothly away from the face portion of the straight portion from a rounded juncture with the face portion and overlies and conceals the end of the retainer. The integral transition portion may be configured as an end cap or a wall return piece that forms a transition between the straight portion and a wall surface or as a corner piece that joins sections of wall protectors mounted on walls that intersect at a corner.