Those horizontally grooved walls that you often see in department stores that hold everything from clothes hangers to storage shelves and hooks are called slatwall panels. As the name suggests, they are manufactured with grooves to resemble slats and they provide you with the perfect base from which all kinds of things can be hung.

Slatwall panels are a very handy and functional wall solution that is available in a variety of colors and styles although there is no suggestion that they will be used as interior decorating solutions any time soon. They make ideal wall solutions for shop and garage workshops giving you display, storage and shelving options where none existed before. After the initial installation your drilling requirements end.

The panels are constructed of ¾ inch MDF (medium density fiberboard) and are coated with a melamine laminate or veneer finish.

Different types of slatwall panels are made to a variety of specifications but generally they are available in sizes of 4’ x 8’, 5’ x 8’, 4’ x 10’ and 5’ x 10’. The slatwall grooving is also spaced at a variety of distances depending on your needs. You might be after grooves that are 3” apart, but it can be found with groove spacing up to 12”.

Slatwall panels are available in a wide variety of colors and are made in melamine with solid colors, melamine with woodgrain overlay, wood veneers, high pressure laminate and more. It is an extremely versatile product.

The most recommended installation solution for slatwall panels would be to get professional installers in to the job. But if you have a small installation job to do, then it would be easier to do the installation yourself.

Installing slatwall panels is simplicity itself because they can be screwed into the existing wall over a drywall or plaster wall without any problems. After you’ve got your panels positioned and ready to go you can start by applying an adhesive to the back for a permanent fixture.

Using drywall screws or other wood screws you simply screw the panels to the wall. To give the panels sufficient strength you should screw them at every second groove. The screws should be driven in through the center of the back of the grooves into the wall studs and you should be careful when doing so that you don’t damage the lips of the grooves.

Part of the installation process will involve cutting some of the panels to size. When doing so, you should cut from the grooved side of the panel to avoid chipping.

The whole reason for installing slatwall panels is because of the options that are available in storage solutions. Hardware such as picture hooks, shelf brackets, wire baskets, slatwall hangers, hang rails and more will give you plenty of display options.

Once the slatwall panels have been put in place the entire display process will be immeasurably simplified. It will also give you the option to move displays around. The slatwall hooks can simply be slipped into place and they are immediately usable or, if they are in the wrong place, they can be removed and placed elsewhere with no further drilling or installation.

Although you will be most likely to see slatwall panels and their accompanying slatwall accessories in stores holding up store displays, the panels are also available for home use. Installing slatwall panels into your garage or workshop will give you the perfect organizational structure for all of your tools. Keeping the garage neat and tidy will be an absolute breeze.

Plastic slatwall containers are perfect for small items such as screws, nuts, nails or bolts. They are made from toughened polypropylene and are available in a variety of configurations.

Slatwall accessories are ridiculously cheap too, with hooks, shelving units, brackets and hangers only costing you a few dollars.

The aluminum metal inserts can be cut using a carbide tipped saw blade. You can make sure the inserts don’t shift during cutting by taping along the edges of the panel.