Need some advice?

The greatest thing about building climbing walls is that almost every one is unique in design. Here are some general recommendations to go by:

Number of holds:
For decent coverage, we recommend 1 hold for every 2 square feet of wall space. (16 per sheet of plywood) When cost is a concern, some people will go with 1 hold for every 3 square feet. Let your budget be your guide here. You can always add more at a later time! When dealing with younger climbers, beginners, or overhanging walls, be sure to focus on positive holds such as our Bucket Sets. Foot chips are small, many of them will be difficult to use without climbing shoes.

Basic Hold Types:

Bucket Hold is uncut providing greatest ease of use. Recommended for children, beginning climbers, and for overhangs. (Easiest hold type.)	Crimp Hold is relatively flat (but not deep) on one or more surfaces. (Medium difficulty hold type.)	Sloper Hold contains downward slopes providing a difficult surface to grip. (Difficult hold type.)	Foot Chip Small holds designed for use by feet. Not recommended for children or climbers without climbing shoes. Most are smaller than a golf ball.

Bolts:
All holds include standard alloy socket head bolts. These are rated for indoor use only. If your wall is outdoors, we highly recommend upgrading to stainless steel bolts. The upgrade price is $.60 per hold and can be added during the checkout process. Screw-on holds include weather resistant screws.

Number of t-nuts:
We recommend at least 2.25 t-nuts for every square foot of wall space. (72 per sheet of plywood) Do not go light on t-nuts! Having more t-nuts will allow for greater hold density and more freedom when selecting hold location. Unless you can easily get to the backside of your wall, be sure to do it right the first time. Many people will use over 100 t-nuts per sheet of plywood.

Drill 7/16" diameter holes in a random pattern across your wall surface. Be sure to drill the holes straight through the wood.

Wall Design:
General construction guidelines should be used when designing a climbing wall. We recommend that you seek qualified assistance if you are not experienced in construction. Studs should be placed every 16" on center, along the backside. 2x6's are commonly used for vertical and slight overhangs. The steeper the wall, the more substantial the framing should be. Studs are relatively inexpensive, so go overboard when in doubt. The standard climbing wall facing is 3/4" plywood.

Common wall designs: (side views) Use your creativity! Visit the gallery for more ideas.

Please feel free to contact us with any questions. We are more than happy to provide assistance in any way possible.