• DISCLAIMER
  
  
• WHERE TO BUILD
  
  
• TOOLS NEEDED
  
  
• SUPPLIES NEEDED
  
  
• GETTING STARTED
  
  
• FIRST ANCHOR
  
  
• SECOND ANCHOR
  
  
• ANCHORS COMPLETE
  
  
• MAKING THE FRAME
  
  
• MARKING THE FRAME
  
  
• FRAME FINISHED
  
  
• MARKING PLYWOOD
  
  
• DRILL PLYWOOD
  
  
• VERTICAL OR OVERHANGING?
  
  
• MARKING SUPPORTS
  
  
• PRE-DRILL SUPPORTS
  
  
• FASTENING SUPPORTS
  
  
• HOW T-NUTS WORK
  
  
• INSTALLING T-NUTS
  
  

The first thing to consider when building a climbing wall is the location. Where is the best place to build? Do you build indoor or outdoor, garage or living room, corner of the room or right in the middle?

INDOOR CLIMBING WALL, OR OUTDOOR CLIMBING WALL?

An indoor climbing wall can be used year-round and will always be a comfortable temperature. You won't have to worry about the wood weathering in the rain and sun. You don't have to worry about rusty bolts, or buying stainless steel bolts. You won't have to tighten each hold every day due to loosening caused by temperature changes. This can become a real hassle, especially if you have a lot of holds. No one wants to spend the first 30 minutes of their session tightening bolts. Holds bolted to an outdoor wall are more likely to spin if you do not tighten them before each session. Another consideration is painting or staining. You will need to paint or stain the outdoor wall to preserve it better.


This guide will provide sample plans to build a rock climbing wall of the indoor variety.

Next: Tools Needed