How to Build an Adjustable Home Climbing Wall

Use a stud finder to locate the studs in the installation wall. Mark their locations clearly with pencil by noting each edge of each stud. Position 2-by-4 furring strips up against these markings, parallel to the wall studs but rotated so their wider, 4-inch side is flush with the wall and still centered on the stud. Predrill holes every 12 inches down the center of the furring strip, making sure the drill comes in contact with the interior stud. Attach the furring strips to the wall with 3-inch wood screws until all the studs in the installation surface are covered.

Position the 4-by-8 plywood in the installation area to see how many sheets are needed. Arrange the sheets so that the sides of each board end and rest on the center of a furring strip. Remove the plywood to prepare it for installation.

Select the more attractive side of each board and label it "front" with a pencil. Cover the front of the board with one coat of primer and allow four hours to dry. Paint the board with textured paint and allow four hours to dry before applying another coat if necessary due to thin coverage. Allow the paint to dry for 24 hours before drilling and setting holds.

Drill 72 evenly spaced holes into the front of each board with a 7/16-inch drill bit, making the holes 8 inches apart in evenly spaced lines, similar to the arrangement of the stars on an American flag. The holds are attached through these holes, and it is easier to create routes with a standardized hole layout such as this. Add additional holes later if truly random hold positions are required.

Turn each board over and hammer a T-nut into each hole. Set the boards up against the furring strips and attach them with 1 1/2-inch wood screws every 8 inches around the perimeter of the board. Drill screws into the furring strips running down the center of the board as well, using the measurement of the distance between the adjoining furring strips as a guide.

Use a hold wrench to attach commercial climbing holds to the T-nuts in the wall in a basic pattern. Branch out from this basic pattern once the first routes are installed to give greater ability to climb and adjust.