we just did a reno on one of our downtown stores- removed crumbling plaster from a 12×50 old brick wall, cleaned it, sealed it, fixed up the wainscoating, and put a nice trim on it-it looked great….the other wall we just sheetrocked over, as it had the regular lath on studs….
on the last day, aguy comes in and says he wants to rent it to put in a sock store, but will need to put slat wall over everything(3/4mdf with grooves to accept hangers)….
groan….the owner persuaded me to do it…. without disturbing what we just did….so I build 10′ walls, 16 oc, and attach them to the brick thusly –
at about 7′ up, there’s a 2×4 laid in the brick like an actual course- it’s solid- so I screw a 2×4 to that, screw7″ arms to that to attach to the wall, and repeat every 10’….plate screwed to floor….
now initially, I assumed I would need to add some bracing off the front for security, and make it decorative or useful, but a fellow carpenter says it is unnecessary, as there is no force pushing this wall to fall over, and I see his point….
but I’m just wondering….
Replies
Assuming everything is as described; that the brick and motar are still viable, the old embedded 2X4 is well secured, why would you worry? The slatwall is heavy, true, and it's making your partition out of balance but not badly. The only concern I might have would be future use of slatwall hangers; how a heavy, cantilevered shelf display, high up on the wall might tend to pull on the old embedded 2X4.
If you're unsure about the security of that embedded 2X4, maybe you should stipulate that your installation is meant for sock displays, nothing heavier.
Edited 6/24/2007 10:57 am ET by Hudson Valley Carpenter
thanks for your reply -
I was worried about some future heavy loading also - should I make this strong enough for any possible use, or just a bunch of socks.....
the 2x seems very solid...
I guess I'm just paranoid....
the 2x seems very solid...
I guess I'm just paranoid....
Not to worry. I've installed a lot of slatwall, screwed through sheetrock into lightweight metal studs. I've never liked the way the screws held in that material but I'd bet that most of the slatwall being sold today is similarly installed and hasn't pulled off those walls.
Your installation sounds a lot better than others I know of.
If you're really worried about it. A 2'-0 wide knee wall x 4'-0 high installed perpndicular every 8'-0 sheethed with plywood should brace it. Agrue that it will provide more display space as well as provide stuctural support. Slat wall stock can go over the ply.
Best to you and yours, Chris.
Building as thou art paranoid never harmed anyone.
thanks for your reply -
I think the bracing could be even less than you suggest, but the client will be there tomorrow and we'll see what he wants - minimal and artistic, more and functional, or nothing at all...
your tagline fits this situation quite well....
A sock store?
How long will he be in business?
And what will the next business want to hang from those slats?
With my mouth I will give great thanks to the Lord; I will praise Him in the midst of the throng. For He stands at the right hand of the needy, to save them from those who would condemn them to death.
- Psalms 109:30-31
indeed.....
store turnover is high in our strange little tourist town.... but I hope the next guy says "get rid of that slatwall - I want to see that beautiful old brick work and wainscoating!"
but your point is - build for any load anybody might want to throw on there....right?