Climbing Wall Q&A
Why do I need an indoor climbing wall?
Home climbing walls are an excellent training tool, allowing climbers of all ability levels to build strength, balance, and confidence in a safe, familiar environment...your home! A couple hours of training a week can make a huge difference in your performance when taking it outside to the crags. Besides, it's always fun to see the expressions on your neighbors' faces when you're crankin' plastic in the garage! It's also a great way to introduce new people and children to the sport of climbing without subjecting them to the inherent dangers found at most outdoor climbing areas.
Where should I build the wall?
You can build a climbing wall anywhere you have exposed wall studs (although you can also build over finished walls). The garage or an unfinished basement are the two most common places to build a climbing wall. You might even want to build it outdoors, but you'll need to take into consideration sun, wind, rain, and snow exposure during construction. Plywood and framing (unless treated) will rot over time when subjected to the elements, and t-nuts and bolts will be prone to rust making them difficult to remove later. You can purchase stainless steel bolts for your outdoor wall, but they will be more expensive than alloy bolts.
You don't need a large area to build a climbing wall, either. Some very functional walls have been built in unused closets. It's all about how you use the space you have to create a fun, interesting climbing experience. Be creative when planning your wall's design. If you really enjoy face climbing, resist the urge to build a basic vertical wall as it might get boring over time. Definitely consider building overhanging sections, aretes, corners, and other cool features to keep things fresh.
What materials do I need to build a climbing wall?
Most home walls are built using standard 2x4's for the framing and 3/4" sheets of 4'x8' plywood for the actual climbing surface. The framing should be secured to the existing wall studs of your garage or basement using 1/2" diameter lag or carriage bolts. Nails have no place in the construction of home climbing walls. The plywood is typically attached to the wall's framing using 2 1/2" #8 decking screws. Since the framing of your wall is the most important aspect of its construction, do not skimp on framing materials! Always consult structural engineers or other construction professionals before building your wall. Climbing holds are then bolted to the plywood climbing surface using 7/16" t-nuts which are hammered into the backside of the plywood, and 3/8" socket head bolts are threaded into the t-nuts to secure the holds to the wall surface.
What kinds and how many holds should I have on my wall?
This is a pretty common question with no one right answer, but as a general rule, go for about 72 holds per 4'x8' sheet of plywood. This works well if you lay out an 8" grid pattern on your plywood. It's really personal preference. Remember, even if you go light at first, you can always add more t-nuts and holds later, but you don't want your wall looking like swiss cheese.
As far as climbing holds are concerned, it's all about variety. There are numerous online climbing hold companies offering a dizzying array of shapes, sizes, and textures. A nice selection of different holds ranging from slopers, jugs, crimps, pockets, cracks and small foot jibs allow you to move holds around to create new routes and interesting bouldering problems using the same holds.
Do I need to be a professional carpenter to build a climbing wall?
Not at all. If you know how to use a circular saw, drill, hammer, wrench, and know a little basic math, you can build a climbing wall. Remember what Norm Abram of the New Yankee Workshop always says, "Measure twice, cut once." The key to building a home wall is not so much in the construction, but the planning.