Wall climbing is a sport, which needs a lot of strength and determination. But the design structure of the wall plays an important part too. That’s simply because, if the design structure is not the way the climber wants it to be, there is no way that he can even think of scaling the wall structure. In case, you are considering designing the climbing walls, you should be assured the wall climbing industry offer you variety of materials and like equipments. Therefore, as a buyer, it is important for you to know the importance and the drawbacks of the various materials and equipments available, ensuring that you don’t compromise over its quality, so that you get the best wall climbing design.
The first thing that you can do is draw the design of your current climbing wall, even a simple outline would do for this matter. It is always good to draw a sketch first, since that helps you to determine the different facets of the climbing wall. If you’re good with numbers, then the measurement aspect of the climbing wall should come naturally to you. However, you may find it a bit tough to get the angles right, in the beginning. Therefore, for this purpose, it is advisable that you take all the dimensions according to the scale.
Some of the important things that you must consider with respect to designing a climbing wall are as follows:
. Keep the expenses within your budget. This simply means that you have to choose the materials and the design that you can afford. This is particularly important in case of climbing schools and other institutions alike. Therefore, when opting for any climbing design, you have to remember the design that you have selected must be at par with the latest wall climbing designs in the world, so that the wall surface wouldn’t have to be changed too often.
. Another important consideration that you possibly cannot avoid is the fact for whom the climbing wall will be designed, i.e., whether it is for professional climbers or for the amateurs. The design also depends upon factors such as frequency of the climbers’ visits, their skills, etc. This simply means that you have to make certain accommodations for the climbers according to their needs and at the same time introduce some challenging courses to sharpen their climbing skills.
. Whatever wall surface type you choose, you have to remember that it should have a long life. With respect to the longevity of the climbing walls, there are many options that you can consider. One of the most important aspects that you have to remember is that the wall you have selected must be flexible to the evolving nature of this wall climbing sport.
Therefore, when it comes to the installation aspect of the wall-climbing surface, you have to take all the above-mentioned factors into consideration.
Apart from these basic factors, other aspects that you have to look out for would include taking the help of an expert licensed engineer for the installation purpose and the assistance of a wall climbing designing professional. The wall climbing design can really act as the deciding factor in determining whether the wall climbing experience will be exciting or will it just be too dull for the climbers.
So, you have finished construction of your climbing wall. Once the woodwork is complete, it is very important to go on to the final phase of your climbing wall, i.e. painting and final finishing. Your wall should look like a mountain face and should be safe to practice on.
You can sand the surface, which you want to be painted. Remove any sharp edges in your ply joints and also around your drill holes by sanding them with a sanding machine or manually. Then apply a coat of primer to the wood. You can also apply latex primer if you want the wood to have a genuine sand or rock like finish. Primer helps the paint to stick well with the wood and hence prevents chipping and bubbling. If your wood is wet, then you will have to dry it first before you can start applying anything on it.
Mildew can also be removed from wood by applying bleach mixed with water at a 1:4 ratio. You can use any exterior paint for your climbing wall and since most of them have a fungicidal agent added to the paint, it should prevent further mildew attacks from taking place. To protect any non-painted surface or the floor, cover them with old newspapers or cloth or apply tape on it.
If you are planning to provide a sand like finish to your climbing wall then you can add sand to your paint in the ratio of 1:10. Since sand settles down very fast in your paint pan or container, you will have to constantly keep on stirring your paint mixture before every application. You can also change the sand to paint ratio to achieve a different finish. Also, you can use golf tees to plug in your T nut holes so that the primer and paint does not go into the threading of your T nut.
If it does, you will have a hard time fitting your holds. The final touch is bolting on your holds and jugs to your wall. You can use different footholds at the bottom of your wall, but as you progress higher, you will require very few and none at the top. As per your climbing skills and the construction of your wall you will require some jugs at the bottom and some at the top of your wall. You can buy an entire ready made set of plastic or wooden holds which just need to be bolted on to your wall. Buy one according to the size of your wall and the number of holds required.
You will also require a good mattress, which breaks your fall without breaking your bones in case you slip and fall. The mattress should be around 10 to 12 inches thick and should not only cover the entire base of the wall but should also extend away so as to cushion your fall if you slip while swinging from one hold to another. Your final finished wall should look like a genuine rock wall for you to get into the real mood of rock climbing.
So, once your climbing wall is ready, go in for a test climb. Then call your friends and neighbors over for a rock climbing competition and have fun. Arrange rock climbing related theme parties. Happy climbing.
The three-dimensional model you made of poster board or construction paper is now ready to be transitioned to design drawing. Begin with a simple sketch to define the dimensions. CAD or computer aided design software may be used or you can draw it by hand. CAD is not required, if you can define the entire dimension mathematically.
Each joint or edge should be labeled for the exact distance from the last joint. The distance from existing structure such as wall, floor, ceiling is to be referred. Establish distances, angles and dimensions of the entire structure. Take into consideration the thickness of the plywood sheathing, and the wall studs also, considering the width of the anchoring structure and keep sufficient margins.
Lumber: Actual size and Nominal size
In the US, the size of the unfinished wood is called as nominal size, after the wood is plainer and sanded to the actual size. Usually plaining and sanding will scrape off a quarter or half inch from the nominal size. However, plywood has the same nominal and actual size.
In over hanging sections, spacing and size of the joist will dictate the joist span length. Greater span lengths require larger joists.
An engineer is the right person to determine the design specifications for an overhanging wall, as many factors such as strength of the wood, reinforcement of the joists, and the type of anchor has to be considered.
Climbing walls being heavy need really strong support. The support should not only be able to bear the live load of the climbers, but also bear dead load of the wall itself. Live load of the climbers varies with every move the climber makes and at times can be many times the weight of the climber. The stress the wall undergoes requires it to be supported strongly, if the climbing wall is going to be supported by an existing structure. Then you have to make sure that the existing structure is strong enough to support the climbing wall.
Vertical walls transfer all the weight to the floor, but also exert angular force on the joints away from the wall. In steep overhang sections, three forces are acting on the wall; the weight of the wall itself, the climbers weight, and the forces caused by the climber’s movement. It is advised to seek expert’s and specialist’s opinion before proceeding.
The load the wall is likely to be subjected to will determine the type and size of the joists, anchors, and the thickness of wall studs. Existing structure should be strong enough to take the load of the climbers and should hold itself after being subjected to enormous stress exerted by the climbers. In vertical walls the plywood will offer a lot of vertical strength, but the support should be strong enough to take the live load stress, torque, and resist shearing.
Taking expert advice from structural engineers will ensure that all engineering considerations are taken into account and specifications for the material required finalized. Once this is done, you will be better placed to budget for the material required to build the climbing wall.
