Hello everyone, I'm hoping to get answers here after having searched the internet already...
First, I'd like to say that I know absolutely nothing about construction and carpentry, but I think someone knowledgeable here might be willing to help me.
I plan to put up a climbing wall at home. The wall in question is a plaster wall, which is why I'm thinking of attaching a plywood board for better support (which is also recommended by the company selling the climbing holds).
Can I attach the plywood board directly to the wall? Or do I need to frame a wooden structure (which is attached to the wall) to mount the plywood onto?
I was thinking of using metal anchors to attach the plywood board to the wall (or to the wooden frame), is this good or bad? Is it even possible to mount these directly into the plaster wall when I don't know what's behind it?
Is there anyone here who could give me tips on how I should do this? Since I am not knowledgeable at all, constructing a wooden frame feels very advanced for me, but attaching the plywood directly to the wall I should be able to manage...
I hope I have explained myself well enough, otherwise, feel free to ask questions and I will try my best to answer. Thanks in advance!
First, I'd like to say that I know absolutely nothing about construction and carpentry, but I think someone knowledgeable here might be willing to help me.
I plan to put up a climbing wall at home. The wall in question is a plaster wall, which is why I'm thinking of attaching a plywood board for better support (which is also recommended by the company selling the climbing holds).
Can I attach the plywood board directly to the wall? Or do I need to frame a wooden structure (which is attached to the wall) to mount the plywood onto?
I was thinking of using metal anchors to attach the plywood board to the wall (or to the wooden frame), is this good or bad? Is it even possible to mount these directly into the plaster wall when I don't know what's behind it?
Is there anyone here who could give me tips on how I should do this? Since I am not knowledgeable at all, constructing a wooden frame feels very advanced for me, but attaching the plywood directly to the wall I should be able to manage...
I hope I have explained myself well enough, otherwise, feel free to ask questions and I will try my best to answer. Thanks in advance!
If you're going to use solid holds, they are attached with M10 bolts in T-nuts on the backside of the plywood board. Since the bolts go through the board, you need to have a spacer to the wall behind, otherwise, you'll end up screwing into the drywall as well. Although drywall is soft, an M10 bolt probably won't go in just any way.
If you're going to use more "play holds," they are attached with regular wood screws, and you can essentially screw plywood directly onto the drywall and then screw the holds into it. But the drywall underneath won't look nice the day you take down the climbing wall.
But it's not difficult to frame out the plywood. Utilize the existing wall's studs.
Buy studs in the dimension of 45x45 and cut them slightly shorter (a few mm) than your ceiling height. Find the studs in your existing wall. Screw a new stud over the drywall directly across from each existing stud. Studs are usually spaced at distances of 30cm, 45cm, or 60cm, so once you find one, it's easy to find the rest. Screw the new studs with screws of 100x5mm, or maybe 120x5 if it's a thick wall. Then screw short pieces of studs between the vertical studs along the floor and ceiling. After that, you can put up the plywood.
If you're going to use more "play holds," they are attached with regular wood screws, and you can essentially screw plywood directly onto the drywall and then screw the holds into it. But the drywall underneath won't look nice the day you take down the climbing wall.
But it's not difficult to frame out the plywood. Utilize the existing wall's studs.
Buy studs in the dimension of 45x45 and cut them slightly shorter (a few mm) than your ceiling height. Find the studs in your existing wall. Screw a new stud over the drywall directly across from each existing stud. Studs are usually spaced at distances of 30cm, 45cm, or 60cm, so once you find one, it's easy to find the rest. Screw the new studs with screws of 100x5mm, or maybe 120x5 if it's a thick wall. Then screw short pieces of studs between the vertical studs along the floor and ceiling. After that, you can put up the plywood.
Okay, thanks for the response!
I have a few follow-up questions then..
The grips are intended for play only, but they probably won't be used daily. However, I would still like them to hold at least 60kg (if this is possible?) when they are used, so I want to mount them safely but not make it a huge project...
How do I find where the existing studs are? (Stupid question
)
I have a few follow-up questions then..
The grips are intended for play only, but they probably won't be used daily. However, I would still like them to hold at least 60kg (if this is possible?) when they are used, so I want to mount them safely but not make it a huge project...
How do I find where the existing studs are? (Stupid question
)I built a simpler climbing wall in the last house. I took down the drywall and put up OSB with renovation drywall on top, so that the wall would be reasonably even in thickness. Then a wallpaper with a wood motif and holds of similar wood. It actually turned out really nice. The original idea was some sort of stone motif. I attached the holds with two anchor screws. It holds well. M10 is probably good if you want to easily move the holds around.
If you find the studs behind the drywall, you can screw the board into them. With a slightly stronger magnet, you can find the drywall screws.
If you find the studs behind the drywall, you can screw the board into them. With a slightly stronger magnet, you can find the drywall screws.
It is in a rental property that I am considering starting this project, so I most likely cannot remove the drywall, and if I do, I would have to put it back when I move out...D Daniel 109 said:
Therefore, I would prefer to just mount a plywood board directly on the wall as this is the easiest to restore later. Building a wooden frame feels a bit excessive since I know how minimal the holds will be climbed on...
Okay, thanks for the response!PNO said:
I have a few follow-up questions then...
The grips are intended for play only but they probably won't be used far from daily. However, I'd still like them to hold at least 60kg (if this is possible?) when they are used, so I want to ensure they're mounted safely but without making it a huge project...
How do I find where the existing studs are? (Stupid question
)With a magnet, you find the existing screws. They are in the studs. The studs are surely set with CC60.