Q: What kind of slatwall panels do the accessories on your website fit?
A: Standard 3” on center slatwall panels (measures 3” from the center of one slot to the center of the next slot) work best. We offer HandiWall in 3 sizes; 48″ length, 80″ length, and 96″ length. Accessories will also fit 1”, 2”, 4”, 5”, and 6” on center slatwall panels if you choose accessories that have only a top lip that fits up into the upper slot.
The panels that work best will generally have a slot that L-Shaped. Most of our accessories will also fit StoreWall, Uline, Windmill, New Age, Garage Tek, and Diamond Life panels. See the end view picture below:
Q: Do I have buy a whole box of 4′, 80″ and 8′ panels? I only need slatwall in one or two small areas.
A: We now carry HandiWall Slatwall Rails. They measure 50″ and 82″ in length. They are available in Black, White, Gray, and Beachwood. These are perfect for over the work bench, in entryways, and pantries/laundries, as well as the garage. We also have Kits made up with tool hooks, garment hooks, and baskets.
Q: Which slatwall products do not work with your accessories?
A: There are many variations now of standard 3” on center slatwall panels. Many of these have slots that go straight in and then slant forward or backward, instead of going straight up. Or, they have a slot that goes straight up and also a slot that goes down at the bottom. ProSlat, SteelCase, FlowWall, Gladiator’s Gearwall, and NorskTrack are proprietary which means that only their accessories will fit their panels.
Q: What type of slatwall panel should I buy?
A: For a garage, you will want a slatwall panel that is waterproof and easy to clean. If you are hanging heavy items on it, such as garden racks, heavy tools, bicycles, golf clubs, etc., choose a panel that holds at least 100 lbs. per square foot. If you are using the panel over a workbench for small tools and items, or hanging lighter items in your garage, then lighter duty will do.
Many of the slatwall panels sold in the hardware stores or big box stores, such as Menards, Home Depot, and Lowe’s are made of chipcore or MDF board and don’t work as well in garages where you have more cold, heat, humidity and water. Even if they have a laminated coating, there is still some wood exposed that will expand with moisture. Also, many of those brands have accessories that fit only on their panels. They claim to be standard 3” on center, but sometimes the slot dimensions are different. Trying to strengthen your slatwall panel with a metal insert often takes up the slot space and doesn’t allow some of our accessories to fit well.
Q: Do any of your accessories work in other applications other than on slatwall?
A: The Schulte (Organized Living) Accessories fit The Wall Grid, which attaches to the wall (hardware included) and can also be mounted directly to the wall as they are equipped with holes that are spaced 16” apart. Hardware is not included with the accessories, but your local hardware store can find the right size and anchor for attaching to studs or masonry.
Q: Can I hang tool holders, sports hooks and other items on slatwall if they were not made for slatwall?
A: Yes, the best item to buy to make non-slatwall items fit slatwall is the HandiWall Locking Accessory Clip. Also try the Light Duty Slatwall Adapter or the Heavy Duty Slatwall Adapter.
Q: Do I have to put trim on both sides and the top and bottom of my slatwall panels?
A: Trim is an option. There are many different choices for finishing the ends, inside corners, and outside corners to give your panels a finished look. Trim is not necessary, but nice, just like the color-matched screws.
Slatwall Hint #1 – Don’t toss those extra scraps of wall panels; turn them into an organization solution and maximize your space! Try a creative idea/project using smaller pieces of the slatwall panels, such as entryway coat and book bag storage, or an area over the washer and dryer for supplies. If your wall panels need to be cut to size… slatwall panels cut easily using any traditional fine-blade wood-working tool.
– cut “good side up” on a table saw
– cut “good side down” with a Skillsaw / radial arm saw / sabre saw.
Slatwall Hint #2 – To save on shipping costs, purchase HandiWall in the 4′ lengths and the 80″ lengths. Carriers now charge an enormous amount of money for shipping anything 8′ and longer, and these items usually have to go Freight as they are heavy.