Hello,
I am a career firefighter in TN. Some of my co-workers and I are interested in building a climbing wall on the outside of our fire training tower. The tower is four stories tall and constructed of split face block that is filled with concrete. The wall will be 16′ wide and 24′ tall. Our initial thoughts are as follows:
1) We plan to attach vertical treated 2x4s or 2x6s 16″ on center as furring strips running the full 24′ in height. These will be attached with a Hilti Stainless Steel Quick Bolt II.
2) Overhangs will be built and bolted to the 2xs. These will basically be a truss type box configuration mounted to the vertical 2xs to simulate rock overhangs. One will extend 2′ and another will extend 4′.
3) We then plan to attach 3/4″ treated plywod to the 2xs and overhangs using stainless steel screws or Deckmate screws.
We have numerous questions:
Are we on the right track using the furring strips and attaching them as described?
Should we seal the edges and the back of the plywood with a preservative before installation? and what type of preservative would be recommended?
What would be the best way to mount the overhangs? and is a 4′ overhang realistic?
Any and all suggestions would be appreciated on these items and other details as well. Thanks!
Replies
I seem to recall reading in a Climbing Magazine ad from one of the manufacturers of climbing holds that they had some helpful hints on constructing your own climbing wall.
You might write/call/email some of these companies for plans/suggestions. I would think that depending on your climate, you might want a watertight roof over the overhang - you probably don't want an ice buildup behind the climbing facade.
just finished a backyard addition for the nieces and nephews - recommend skipping the treated plywood, and go with 2x PT decking. Just build a sturdy vertical deck. The gaps are unimportant from a climbers POV.
I like the vertical deck idea, but it would be more expensive...but alot easier to build (I think). I also might think about using 5/4 boards. Any suggestions or comments about running the boards horizontal or vertical?
My first thought with climbing on pressure treated wood is lots of splinters...
I think these are mostly for indoor climbing walls, but they might be of some use:
http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Trails/9640/
http://www.metoliusclimbing.com/howto-buildwall.htm
http://www.edgewalls.com/homewall.htm
If the following doesn't work, just go to Amazon and type in under books "climbing wall" or something similar
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/0934641730/002-6711445-1160012?vi=glance
With all of that big tax money you guys are getting these days, maybe you should just have one of the following build it for you...
http://www.edgewalls.com/
http://www.eldowalls.com/
use 2x, NOT 5/4. i used 5/4 (horizontally, there's less chance of long splinters from sliding *down*), but at 6-8" per hole (centered in order to give hold bases the most flat surface for backing) drilled on a press i still got a lot of cracked boards. would go to 2x definitely next time. lots of outdoor co's use 2x6 stock, tho' 2x8,10,12 would allow greater variety and placement off the board's center.
good luck