Tips on choosing Slatwall for your store

When choosing slatwall for your store, there are a number of considerations. You want to pick a product that matches or helps define your store's theme, style. In addition you will need to decide on a number of other variations that affect the look, feel, strength and cost of your slatwall. Product differences to consider include high vs low pressure laminate, paint ready board or 3D textured slatwall? Let’s explore these differences more fully below.

• Paint-Ready: You can paint this panel on site to match your store. The board has a finish that will easily accept paint. It looks best if you use a roller to finish out the board. Paint-ready slatwall is the lowest cost option. Many people opt for the paint-ready as it is the lowest price but keep in mind that painted slatwall is harder to maintain and keep clean than the other options plus, of course, it needs to be painted!
• Low-Pressure Laminate (LPL): The board has a melamine covering making cleaning easy. Melamine slatwall is the next step up price wise it's easier to maintain than painted, LPL is available in many colors, and is an affordable way to go.
• High-Pressure Laminate (HPL): The board is covered with a high-pressure laminate such as Nevmar, Wilson Art or Pointe. HPL is an excellent choice if you wish to match your store coloring. If using HPL stay away from gloss colors, they will scratch easily.
• Wood veneer: A real wood veneer. If your store has a natural feel, if you have hardwood showcases, consider purchasing real wood veneer slatwall. It’s more expensive but looks amazing and rustic.
• "3D" Designer Slatwall: This exciting option will help define your store and make it stand out. "3D" slatwall is a designer's dream with a wide selection of choices including but not limited to Barnwood, Weathered Wood, brick, tile, tire tread, corrugated metal and more. If you want a store that your customers will remember spending the extra money for this superb product will be worth the investment. Plus all panels are metal reinforced for a longer life span
• Mirror slatwall: Will help brighten up your store, help with lighting and make it seem larger than it is. If you are considering mirror slatwall remember that usually is it made from an acrylic mirror that is prone to scratches.

Word of advice – Don’t go half way!

I have clients who want to save a few hundred dollars will only have slatwall on four feet of the wall vertically. Their logic is they will not sell things on the bottom 2' and above 6'. Being that slatwall comes in 2' or 4' heights seems only logical to not cover the entire wall from floor to ceiling. While this may sound good at the outset, there are many reasons to avoid this temptation. Slatwall that goes from floor to ceiling will give you a more consistent look helping the eyes focus on the merchandise you are selling. Don't forget the areas up high are a fantastic location to place overstock merchandise or something you want to highlight. If storage is a premium base cabinets are worth considering. They have a horizontal surface for display and a place to store empty boxes, overstock product and the like.

Strength – An important Consideration.

Arguably the main downside to slatwall is the limited holding capacity. For more information on how much slatwall can hold see our How Strong Is Slatwall post
We recommend that heavy or expensive items are displayed on reinforced slatwall. This will protect your investment and products. Also, if you want to be able to be able to change out your displays and not worry as much about breakout consider reinforced slatwall. The extra money spent upfront will be a wise investment for years to come. Having reinforced slatwall means less breakouts and more versatility giving you peace of mind.

Other Options

If you are looking for a pop of color or a cohesive look to your slatwall you can add colorful inserts to your panels. These inserts DO NOT add strength to the boards but they can be very aesthetically pleasing. We carry two types of inserts, one is a thin strip of plastic that fits into the slats and the other is a molded plastic piece contorted to fit into the slats.

Please give us a call to discuss stalwall options for your business. We will go above and beyond to help you select the right product for you with a look that feels like you and your business. If you’d like options call 1-800-426-5708.