Choosing a Retail Wall System Part 1: Slatwall

When setting up your retail store, you need to consider your wall system options.  Your needs will be based not only on look, but also on functionality and type of product carried.

This post will look at MDF slatwall (aka slot wall or slat wall).

Slatwall

Slatwall (or slot wall) is traditionally found in many retail stores.  The product is made from MDF board (pressed fibre board) and is often finished with paint or laminate.
Many companies now offer metallic finishes or textured finished to represent metal, brick or other fancy patterns.

Slatwall often comes in a 4' x 8' sheet and holds approximately 10 - 15 pounds per square foot, on the centre of the sheet.  As you move towards the edges of the sheet, the weight load decreases as more pressure is put on the slat.  Each sheet weighs about 75 pounds.

You can strengthen standard slatwall with aluminum inserts that can be inserted at manufacture or after purchase.

Slatwall works best for light weight items.  If clothes or shelves are too heavily loaded, slats may break.  This results in broken, unattractive slatwall than can only be repaired by replacing the entire sheet.

A wide range of hooks, baskets, shelves and other accessories are available for this product.

Slatwall is just one of the many options for wall systems and the first of a series of posts.  We will explore grid wall and slat grid next.