Slatwall panels inside a closet allow homeowners to add shelving and other accessories at a number of different levels because the grooves in the panels are only 3 inches apart. The product is available in horizontal and vertical panels. The difference between the horizontal and vertical panels is the length of the grooves, which are actually horizontal on both panels. The vertical panel is 48 inches wide and stands 96 inches tall while the horizontal panel only stands 48 inches tall, but it is 96 inches wide. This means the grooves in the first are 48 inches long and the grooves in the second are 96 inches in length. Does this Spark an idea?
Instructions
Cover the Closet Walls
1. Locate the studs in the walls with a stud finder and mark them. If the panels cover the entire wall, make a mark for each stud on the ceiling. Hang a plumb bob from the marks when installing the panels to prevent missing the studs with the screws.
2. Measure one of the walls of the closet and cut one panel of the slatwall to those dimensions with a circular saw or table saw. Turn the panels upside down to cut them to prevent chipping along the cut edge.
3. Cut the metal inserts with a hacksaw to match the length of the slats. Slide them into the slats on the panel. Metal inserts increase the strength of the slats in the slatwall, allowing shelving to hold more weight.
4. Hold the panel against the wall it fits. Hang the plumb bob from the first mark on the ceiling. Drill 1/16-inch pilot holes through the metal inserts in every other slat. Keep them lined up with the plumb bob.
5. Install the panel with no. 6 2-inch pan head screws. Drive the screws through the metal inserts. Install screws in every other slat and to every stud behind the panel. Measure for the next panel and repeat the instructions for the first one.
Applications
6. Install shelf brackets in the grooves of the slatwall as desired. Place a melamine-covered shelf on the brackets to store shoes and other items inside the closet. The brackets come in lengths ranging from 6 inches to 16 inches. Adjustable brackets are available from 10 to 14 inches.
7. Insert a slatwall hat accessory into the grooves to store hats in the closet. Also available is an accessory for ball caps.
8. Hang scarves on waterfall brackets. They slope downward from the groove and have ball stoppers to prevent the scarves from falling off.
9. Set the five-hook waterfall bracket in one of the panels on the sidewalls of the closet. Set it about shoulder height. Hang neckties on the hooks.
10. Adjust the arms of the scarecrow accessory to store other clothing items such as suspenders.
Tags: every other, every other slat, from inches, Hang plumb, Hang plumb from, horizontal vertical
