Build a Climbing Wall You Will Want Your Kids to Climb On!

Build a Climbing Wall You Will Want Your Kids to Climb On!

Whether intended for professionals or children, there is no denying the popularity of climbing walls. Many homeowners have even decided to install them in their own home.

A few specialist companies can set up these fun sports accessories in your home for you, but did you know that you can also create your own climbing wall? By doing the work yourself, you can personalize your wall and build it at a fraction of the cost. And, if you’re a handyman at heart, this DIY project will be a walk in the park!

Step 1: Choose the Right Spot

A climbing wall requires a lot of space. That’s no problem for those of us lucky enough to have a home with a cathedral ceiling. An indoor wall of the standard height may be too small for an adult, but it can provide hours of fun for children. In addition to a sufficiently larger vertical surface, you will need a wide area of open space, especially on the floor (no one wants to crash into furniture when they fall!).

Step 2: Reinforce the Wall

As you can imagine, not all walls can withstand such a load. The important thing is to choose a very strong surface material, such as concrete, stone or brick. If you don’t have such walls at home, reinforce the one you wish to build on with solid wood panels, for example. When choosing your location, focus on load-bearing walls.

Step 3: Build the Frame

Construct the frame of your climbing wall using 4 cleats (pieces of framing wood, often referred to in Quebec as “two by four”) that you will attach to the wall. This will delineate the climbing zone. Then, every two feet across the width, add a perpendicular cleat, and vice versa down the length of the wall. Use solid screws and anchors.

Step 4: Install the Panels

On this sturdy frame, screw on one or more plywood panels for a smooth surface. Use several screws (along the edge as well as the centre) to make sure everything stays in place.

Step 5: Plan the Layout

Using a pencil, mark out where you want to place the grips. Browse climbing wall photos on the Internet for ideas or inspiration. For children, a space of 30 cm between grips makes the most sense and for adults, 45 cm is ideal. If you’re very tall, you can spread them out more.

Step 6: Attach the Grips

A number of companies sell grips with specialized climbing wall nut drivers. Opt for models that can be moved and removed rather than ones that are meant to be permanently screwed in place to allow you to change the level of difficulty if necessary. To secure the nut, place it over a mark on the wall and hammer it in (or screw it in, depending on the model). Insert the grip onto its nut and make sure it is secure. Repeat for all remaining grips.

Step 7: Make It Safe

Making sure any falls are neither painful nor serious is the most important step. Cover a good part of the floor, about three metres, in thick mats at the bottom of the wall.

Step 8: Decorate

Decorative cushions on the floor are also welcome and will give the spot a playful atmosphere. You can also embellish the adjoining walls with paint, for example by painting a mural of mountains or with geometric shapes. The types of grips can also become part of the decor. They can be used to set the tone, such as those made of wood for a rustic atmosphere.

As you can see, there really isn’t anything stopping you from building your own at home climbing wall! A final piece of advice: contact your insurance company to find out if the presence of a climbing wall in your home changes any of the terms of your contract. Also, we cannot finish this article without asking you to be extra careful when using it, but more importantly, we hope you have fun!

RE/MAX Québec

By RE/MAX Québec

By RE/MAX Québec

A leader in the real estate industry since 1982, the RE/MAX network brings together the most efficient brokers.