How to Install Slat Wall
Slat wall is a paneling with grooves often found in display rooms, although it is also useful in garages, craft rooms, or other areas where there are lots of tools and materials to keep handy. Slat wall accessories include hooks, baskets, and shelves that hook into the slats. It is versatile and easy to change the configuration of the containers.
Measure your room and order the slat wall from your home store or lumber yard. Have friends on hand when the slat wall is delivered as each 4x8 panel weighs about 90 lbs and many delivery drivers are not required to help you unload it. Let the slat wall panels sit in the building to acclimate for about 48 hours before cutting.
Use a hand power saw with a plywood blade and lay the slat wall face down on sawhorses. Always make cuts from the back side to avoid chipping the front surface of the slat wall. Do not try to cut the slat wall freehand; always use a guide to get accurate cuts.
If you are planning to mount slat wall over masonry walls, frame in with studs before mounting. You can mount slat wall over almost any surface.
Start from the bottom when you mount the slat wall panels. Use drywall screws to mount the slat wall to the studs. Place the drywall screws in the grooves. Make sure to put the dry wall screws into every horizontal stud as you work across the panels. Put screws into the stud at every third groove vertically.
As you work around the room, make sure you line up the grooves on the slat wall carefully.
