How to Hang Slats on a Wall

Wall slats are mere pieces of fabric hung on a wall. Many slats produced by a manufacturer come with a panel used to secure it to the wall. If the wall slat doesn't have a panel, you can create one with material. When creating a panel, you want to use material that will not be obtrusive or cause the slat to buckle up. Wall slats should hang as flat against a wall as possible.

Things You'll Need

• Stud finder
• Pencil
• 2 1/2- to 3-inch screws
• Electric drill
• Tape measure
• Twill tape
• Velcro tape
• Sewing machine
• Double-sided tape

Instructions

Slatwall Panel

1. Find studs behind the wall with a stud finder. To use a stud finder, place the tool flat against the wall and move it from left to right. The tool will notify you when it has found a stud; mark the stud with a pencil.

2. Place the slatwall panel against the stud and secure it to the wall by driving 2 1/2- to 3-inch-long screws into it with an electric drill. Space the screws evenly along the groove; read the manufacturer's instructions for the number of screws required to secure the panel. Use coarse wood screws for wood studs and self-tapping screws for metal studs.

3. Line the wall slat grooves up with those in the panel. Hook the grooves into place to hang the wall slat.

Twill and Velcro Tape

1. Measure the width of each wall slat with a tape measure.

2. Cut a piece of twill tape for each wall slat. Each piece must be 3 inches tall and wide enough for each wall slat.

3. Cut two pieces of 2-inch Velcro tape for each wall slat. Make sure the Velco tape is slightly shorter than each slat.

4. Center the adhesive side of the Velcro tape on the twill tape and sew them together into one panel using a sewing machine. Sewing the Velcro to the twill will provide extra support, and the twill will give the Velco loop strength.

5. Place double-sided tape on the back of the twill. Then stick it to the back of the wall slat. Center the twill with its sewed-on Velco loop 1 inch from the top of the wall slat.

6. Find a place to hang the wall slat. Use the stud finder to locate a stud to anchor the slat to. If no stud is located where you want to hang the slat, use a drywall anchor.

7. Place a twill/Velcro panel horizontally, along the wall. Predrill screw holes through it into the wall or wall stud every 1 inch along the tape.

8. Drive a screw into each predrilled hole within the twill section of the panel with a drill or screwdriver. Use coarse wood screws to secure to wood studs and self-tapping screws for metal studs. If there is no stud behind the screw hole, insert a drywall anchor into the hole first. Then drive the screw through.

9. Match the Velcro tape on the wall with that on the slat and press them together to hang it.

References

• Store Fixture Supply: Installing Slatwall Panels
• Gaylord: Textile Hanging System, Slats with Velcro Fasteners