Best slatwall system for garage

[WarDamnEagle]

Well I've read several threads on GJ which talk about slatwall but I haven't found much in the way of comparisons, opinions, etc. It looks to me like there are two major PVC brands and many different MDF brands in varying qualities with perhaps the slatwall MX brand being top of the heap. I worry a bit about using MDF in our heat and humidity. Even though my garage is well insulated, it is not air conditioned.

I have 11' 7" ceilings and I was looking at doing one of the 22' long walls of a 3 car garage. I only plan on doing the top 6' to 8' of the wall. I'm leaning toward the more expensive of the two PVC products (see link) but I would rather not spend that kind of money if I don't need to. I know several people have suggested in other threads to get some used off Craigslist but I suspect I will be limited to the cheaper end of the MDF products.

http://www.garagescapes.com/slatwall_panels.htm

 

[matty d]

Gladiator garageworks also makes slatwall type panels. With slatwall, look at their accessories to see if they are up to your standards.

Look at their accessories/cabinets that are also compatible with gladiator. $79.99 for two 8 foot x 1 foot panels on sale at Sears every so often.

I have some gladiator panel in my garage its good stuff although pricey if youre going to cover an extensive area of garage.

 

[alabamavolvos]

Not a purchased system but I built this slat setup for storage in my garage. Ran the slats from 30" off the floor to 7' with a 6" spacing. Just an alternitive if you are interested. Doesn't look as nice as the high end slat wall system but much cheaper. I built this system running down a 28' wall from 30" to 7' for less than $200. My selves are made from wood that I already had in the barn to keep cost down.
http://www.familyhandyman.com/DIY-Projects/Home-Organization/Garage-Storage/garage-storage-systems

 

[NLBUILDER]

I have the higher end PVC slat wall and love it. It's a bit expensive, but sturdy as he'll, and the scattered splash from a hose won't damage the product unlike MDF slat wall. I like the variety of hooks and the overall fit and finish.

 

[csp]

Whatever brand you choose make sure that it's compatible with multiple brands of hooks/shelves/baskets/etc.

Pretty sure that Gladiator only accepts Gladiator accessories.

 

[padstack]

Not a purchased system but I built this slat setup for storage in my garage. Ran the slats from 30" off the floor to 7' with a 6" spacing. Just an alternitive if you are interested. Doesn't look as nice as the high end slat wall system but much cheaper. I built this system running down a 28' wall from 30" to 7' for less than $200. My selves are made from wood that I already had in the barn to keep cost down.
http://www.familyhandyman.com/DIY-Projects/Home-Organization/Garage-Storage/garage-storage-systems

This is what I did too. Works GREAT!

 

[WarDamnEagle]

Not a purchased system but I built this slat setup for storage in my garage. Ran the slats from 30" off the floor to 7' with a 6" spacing. Just an alternitive if you are interested. Doesn't look as nice as the high end slat wall system but much cheaper. I built this system running down a 28' wall from 30" to 7' for less than $200. My selves are made from wood that I already had in the barn to keep cost down.
http://www.familyhandyman.com/DIY-Projects/Home-Organization/Garage-Storage/garage-storage-systems

I've looked at that system but think I would rather go with the prefinished stuff. I don't think it looks bad at all; I just have an affinity for the prefabricated metal hooks. Not sure why?

I have the higher end PVC slat wall and love it. It's a bit expensive, but sturdy as he'll, and the scattered splash from a hose won't damage the product unlike MDF slat wall. I like the variety of hooks and the overall fit and finish.

Glad to see you use the word "sturdy". That's the kind of input that I'm looking for. Do you remember which brand you used?

Whatever brand you choose make sure that it's compatible with multiple brands of hooks/shelves/baskets/etc.

Pretty sure that Gladiator only accepts Gladiator accessories.

Industry standard seems to be 3" OC so any system that I use will have to meet that spacing. I know that some of the systems use an odd spacing so that you have to buy the accessories from them.

 

[Milton Shaw]

Slat wall also comes with inserts in the groves to give more weight carrying ability. Google Slat wall international they have a full line of slat wall and accessories for it. Locations in three different parts of county. Had them do some custom grove spacing for me. Looks great. ( this was for a picture wall at church)

 

[NLBUILDER]

Well I've read several threads on GJ which talk about slatwall but I haven't found much in the way of comparisons, opinions, etc. It looks to me like there are two major PVC brands and many different MDF brands in varying qualities with perhaps the slatwall MX brand being top of the heap. I worry a bit about using MDF in our heat and humidity. Even though my garage is well insulated, it is not air conditioned.

I have 11' 7" ceilings and I was looking at doing one of the 22' long walls of a 3 car garage. I only plan on doing the top 6' to 8' of the wall. I'm leaning toward the more expensive of the two PVC products (see link) but I would rather not spend that kind of money if I don't need to. I know several people have suggested in other threads to get some used off Craigslist but I suspect I will be limited to the cheaper end of the MDF products.

http://www.garagescapes.com/slatwall_panels.htm

Sorry for the delay in responding to your question. The brand name on my slat wall is "Versa Trac". I bought it at a local hardware store called Kent. It is also available from Sears. The hooks and accessories are very stout and sturdy.
Hope this helps

 

[Matt M PA]

I used regular MDF slat wall from Home Depot when I did the walls in our attached garage. Since our house is a split level, the garage ceiling is fairly low. I used the slat wall from the ceiling down, and that fake white tile board from the slat wall down. (We have two cars with exhaust to go straight out the back, so I thought this would be a good thing as it could be wiped off easily.)

Anyhow, this plain old MDF slat wall has been in my non-air-conditioned garage for about five years and has held up fine.

I bought all of my slat wall baskets, hooks, etc, at a local retail store supply house. I was amazed at how inexpensive these things were. I bought all mine from Gershell Brothers in Philadephia. The reason I went with regular full sheets of slatwall was to cover ugly sheetrock, but also to maximize flexibility down the road. Now, more than a few years later, I'm glad I did. I am able to change the layout, etc whenever the need arises.

Back to slatwall. The sheets of 4x8 are at Home Depot and/or Lowe's. You could place them a foot from the top, if wanted.

 

[Aberdale]

Keep an eye out on the "business" section of CL. Often there will be sheets left over from a new retail install. I bought new leftover sheets of slat wall with the aluminum reinforced slots. Six 4'x8' sheets and chrome hooks for under $200.

 

[ozyborn]

I use french cleats for hanging cabinets. Everywhere else is pegboard. Made my own cleats using 2x4 on the tablesaw. Pegboard is cheap. Spend your money on quality tools.

 

[csp]

Pegboard also looks cheap, IMO.

 

[slickgt1]

Free is what I went with. My office building was renovating, so they had a ton of MDF slat walls going to the dump. Picked them up, and love them so far.

Ones on the right were cherry finish. I painted them too.

I say look around for people doing renovations in office buildings.

Oh, and I got enough hooks to hang everything I own. Also at a wonderful price of FREE.

 

[1Garageman]

Free is what I went with. My office building was renovating, so they had a ton of MDF slat walls going to the dump. Picked them up, and love them so far.

Ones on the right were cherry finish. I painted them too.

I say look around for people doing renovations in office buildings.

Oh, and I got enough hooks to hang everything I own. Also at a wonderful price of FREE.

I got lucky also. My parents use to own a business and had 3 panels of that stuff left over. I can't believe how much better it is than pegboard. It truly is stronger and more convenient. I'd definitely look for it at places going out of business!
Good Luck

 

[WarDamnEagle]

OK so maybe I'll reconsider the MDF variety; especially if I can get it at a reasonable price.

Thanks for all the replies!

 

[wfochris]

I have nothing to add, but just dropped in to say war damn eagle

 

[archiethedragon]

This is what I did too. Works GREAT!

Padstack, I hate to resurrect such and old thread, but I am thinking about using the garage rail system from handyman (link below) and I was goggling and saw that you had made it, or something similar.

so, 6 years later, are you glad you did? Would you recommend it over other solutions? Any other insight you could give would be helpful. Thanks again.


Archie

http://www.familyhandyman.com/garage/storage/garage-storage-systems/view-all

 

[TONE]

I've been happy with my wall. It's also a non-wood product. No worries about water getting on it or humidity having a negative impact on it.

 

[csp]

I've been happy with my wall. It's also a non-wood product.

Care to share what product you used other than "non-wood"?

 

[driven3]

Just got doe installing 128sq ft of proslat.

Vry easy to work with, and seems pretty stout. Right now I have few surfboards hanging from some custom but up hangers.

Pretty resonate through amazon, costo, etc.

 

[Rossco]

Holy thread resurrection Batman!

Proslat. Took a page to get a mention. Made in Canada.

Probably the best offering.

 

[Tier1Terrier]

I’m thinking about ProSlat too. Unfortunately I can’t find any information on compatibility with non-ProSlat accessories. I’m concerned I’ll be locked into one brand.

 

[Dudebrowtf]

My thoughts after installing 225sq ft of ProSlat is that its easy to work with, takes a long time to install, is very robust. My biggest complaint is the terribly fragile trim pieces. I fear the day I accidently hook the trim and break it as replacement would take forever. I wish I would have planned ahead and mounted some aluminum extrusion for end trim.

Also, don't waste your time with the H trim.

 

[Kevin54]

WOW!!!! I was just reading this and realized that it is a double zombie thread.

 

[frankd]

I just installed 64 sq ft of proslat and overall I'm very happy with it. It seems sturdy and installation was easy. It took less than 3 hours and I was being very careful not to mark up the newly painted walls. I also had to cut around an outlet.
My Biggest complaint is that the slatwall pieces aren't actually 8 feet long. They're just shy of 8 feet. The reason that's a problem is that the pieces are supposed to start and end on a stud. Most studs are 16" apart on center so each slatwall section ended up being just a bit too short to reach the next stud...so I had shorten every piece.

I agree with the statement above that the H channel is a waste. Its expensive and not worth buying. I just put the 2 j-channels back to back.

 

[Hostile]

I’m also looking for slatwall for our garage and the price of Proslat definitely looks right given what the installers (GarageLiving and GarageExperts) are charging for their systems. Easily 60-70% of their quotes look to be labor.