Garage Wall Track System: Good Idea For Garage Wall Organization?
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Organizing your garage can be challenging because of things we keep in it, such as tools, sports gear, and garden equipment. Some turn to garage wall track systems for this. However, is a garage wall track system a good idea for garage wall organization?
Generally, a garage wall track system is a good idea for garage wall organization because they:
- Offer flexible, modular designs
- Allow you to customize and maximize your wall storage.
- Are strong and sturdy and can handle a lot of weight
- Free up floor space and reduce clutter.
In this post, we explore garage wall track systems and see if they are suitable for your needs. If you plan to install them in your garage, we have also detailed the steps for DIYing your garage wall track system.
What Is A Garage Wall Track System?
A garage wall track system transforms your garage into a tidy haven by maximizing wall storage capacity and flexibility.
These heavy-duty slatwall-style panel systems make it easy to keep your floor clear. You can also add accessories to help hold onto things, such as:
- shelves,
- hooks, and
- baskets
A garage wall track system usually has a very adaptable design. This adaptability in design allows you to easily customize and expand the system, creating a tidy, efficient space for all your storage needs, from bike hooks to garden tool racks.
Popular makes of garage wall track systems include the Gladiator® Wall System or the SafeRacks garage wall track systems,
What Are The Pros Of Garage Wall Track Systems?
There are reasons why garage wall track systems are becoming more and more popular in homes and commercial spaces today. Here are a few that may agree:
Reclaim Your Floor Space
A garage wall track system frees your garage floor by increasing storage capacity.
Instead of your rake, bicycle, or garden tools crowding the floor, use mesh baskets, adjustable hooks, and shelves to store them neatly on the walls.
Various wall types, whether wood studs or concrete, can support secure mounting for all your sports equipment or garden tools. The free floor space can then be cleaned up, which should help to prevent pests and vermin from coming close.
Customize Your Storage Needs
Like SafeRacks garage wall track systems, track systems are designed to offer you storage options with a modular and customizable design. Mix and match hooks, shelves, baskets, and hangers in different combinations to suit your specific requirements.
Are you into bike storage? Install vertical bike hooks and gear racks. Need space for tool organization? Create storage space by adding tool organizers and a heavy-duty slatwall-style panel system for power tools.
Flexible and Adaptable Storage Solution
The modular design of these track systems offers a flexible and adaptable storage solution, making it easy to keep expanding your setup as needs evolve.
Maybe you start with a 2-pack or 4-pack of rails, adding more components like wide GearTrack channels or garage rails over time. These systems offer a scalable option for garage wall organization by maximizing wall storage capacity.
With adjustable hooks and mesh baskets, you can easily snap components in and out for different loading recommendations.
Heavy-Duty Durability
Heavy-duty steel construction per shelf ensures a strong and reliable garage wall system, even in challenging environments. Despite exposure to cold and humidity, your storage solution will hold firm.
Gladiator® Wall Systems, for instance, use industrial-grade materials that withstand significant weight per shelf, offering peace of mind if you’re storing bulky sports equipment, garden tools, or large containers.
Their product literature provides review ratings and supply chain details to ensure your installation is up to standard.
Efficient Garage Organization
Effective garage organization means a safer, more efficient space. Instead of a cluttered, chaotic area where you can’t find your hammer or hose, a well-ordered wall storage system lets you organize your gear.
Not only do they make it easy to keep sports equipment, ceiling fans, and power tools accessible, but they also complete the look of your garage.
The flexibility of rail storage means everything has a designated spot, so you’ll always know where your essentials are. Pick up in-store today or buy online for free shipping on qualified products.
With its modular adaptability, heavy-duty construction, and endless customizable configurations, a garage wall track system is an excellent investment for a more organized and efficient garage space.
What Are The Cons Of Garage Wall Track Systems?
Nothing is one-sided. However, there are issues with garage wall track systems that turn people off from it. Here are a few you should know:
Installation Challenges
Setting up a garage wall track system can be tough, especially if your garage wall doesn’t easily accommodate mounting hardware. Installing a garage wall track system requires the following:
- careful planning,
- precision measurements, and
- secure fastening to the wall studs.
Finding the right mounting points can be difficult, particularly with wood studs, and if you miss them, the track system won’t hold.
A heavy-duty slatwall-style panel system can demand precise installation or risk instability.
Cost Considerations
A high-quality garage wall track system is an investment that may exceed initial expectations.
While many systems claim to maximize wall storage capacity and flexibility, their modular designs often require purchasing several accessory packs to customize your storage space fully.
The price tags for a 2-pack or 4-pack of tracks, adjustable hooks, and mesh baskets quickly add up.
Even if you can buy online and pick up in-store today with free shipping on qualified products, a fully realized garage organization system could be cost-prohibitive.
Limited Weight Capacity
Though systems like the Gladiator® GearWall® boast heavy-duty slatwall-style panels, their weight capacity per shelf often falls short of specific storage needs.
If you plan to hang bulky sports equipment or heavy tools, be aware that exceeding the load limit can damage the wall system or compromise safety. Review ratings often reflect this challenge.
Even with loading recommendations from the product literature, the real-world weight of your storage shelf or hooks may not align with the stated maximum.
Compatibility with Wall Types
Track systems give you a flexible storage solution, but not all systems work seamlessly across all types. Installation can become tricky if your garage wall is concrete, drywall, or composite material.
Some systems require special mounting hardware that is not included in the package. Even worse, you might need to customize your storage space by adding specific anchors or brackets to match different walls, further complicating the installation.
Aesthetic Concerns
While reclaiming the floor by maximizing wall storage can make your garage look more organized, these track systems don’t always blend seamlessly with your existing decor.
Despite claims to “complete the look of your Gladiator® wall,” the modular components can appear industrial or cluttered if not meticulously arranged. Slatwall panels might look out of place against wood studs or garage rail setups and could clash with existing:
- molding,
- windows, or
- electrical elements.
What To Look For When Buying a Garage Wall Track System?
Compatibility
Before buying a garage wall track system, consider compatibility with your garage wall types. Some homes have walls that do not suit all garage wall systems, such as:
- concrete,
- drywall, or
- composite walls
Gladiator® GearWall® panels, for instance, need wood studs for secure mounting. At the same time, SafeRacks garage wall track systems might require special anchors for concrete surfaces.
Check the product literature and review ratings for installation tips. Adjustable hooks, mesh baskets, and shelves should easily snap into place and hold firm. A mismatch can lead to wasted time and an incomplete garage organizer.
Material
Durable, heavy-duty materials are crucial for a reliable system that handles your storage needs. Look for steel construction per shelf for solid-weight capacity.
Many modular systems offer weather-resistant composites, while many systems often use heavy-duty slatwall-style panels that withstand cold and humidity.
Track systems with steel wall rails and wide channels are generally stronger and more secure. The material should maximize wall storage capacity and flexibility and resist the bumps and scrapes of everyday use.
Weight Capacity
Weight capacity per shelf is critical when choosing a garage wall system. You want something that securely holds your sports equipment, power, and garden tools.
Wall systems typically offer a 50-pound capacity per square foot with heavy-duty slatwall-style panel systems. Still, your bike storage or tool organization requirements might need more.
Always verify loading recommendations in the product literature and consider a 2-pack or 4-pack if you plan to expand your garage storage. If in doubt, go for a system with a heavier load limit than you think you need.
Safety Features
Safety features protect your wall organization investment from accidental falls or damage. Check that the wall rails have secure locking mechanisms, especially with a system using rail storage or wall rails.
Some modular adjustable hooks include extra safety latches. At the same time, other systems offer a flexible, snap-in-place feature that ensures your components won’t easily slide out of position.
Some systems have heavy-duty rails that can be mounted directly into studs for additional safety.
Pricing
Budget-conscious buyers should weigh the cost against the benefits. You can get free shipping on qualified products or buy online, pick up in-store, compare prices across brands, and look for bulk savings on 2-pack- or 4-pack bundles.
SafeRacks often features multi-piece sets for a better value, and you can customize your storage space by adding only the hooks and baskets you need.
Track systems can also require extra hardware not included in the package, so consider the total investment beyond the sticker price.
How To Install Garage Rail/Track Wall System?
Installing your own garage wall system may be intimidating, but
Step 1: Prepare and Measure Your Garage Wall
Preparation is key to the smooth installation of a garage wall track system. Clear the wall of any:
- shelves,
- sports equipment, or
- other obstructions.
Measure the width and height of your available garage wall space, accounting for existing structures like doors, windows, or power tools. This ensures you can maximize wall storage capacity and flexibility.
Many garage wall track systems need precise measurements to securely fit the panels or rails into your desired wall types. To avoid obstacles and customize your storage space, map out where you’ll place shelves, hooks, and baskets.
Step 2: Locate Studs or Prepare Your Mounting Surface
Finding wood studs is crucial for securing a heavy-duty slatwall-style panel system. Use a stud finder to locate studs. Then, mark their positions using a pen or pencil.
Check the product literature for specific mounting recommendations on whether your wall is concrete or another material. You might need special anchors for different wall types or composite surfaces.
For a modular system like SafeRacks or Gladiator®, it’s essential to secure your mounting points firmly before installing the panels or rails.
Step 3: Mark Out the Panel or Rail Position
Lay out your garage rail or slatwall panel position according to your initial plan. Consider where adjustable hooks and mesh baskets will be placed to ensure easy access and practicality.
Draw guidelines on the wall using a level and pencil so the components align perfectly. For track systems with wide channels, ensure they’re level to maintain uniformity. Measure the gaps for precision and mark where screws or anchors will go.
Step 4: Install Rails or Panels
Begin attaching the rails or panels to the garage wall, following your drawing guidelines. For a 2-pack or 4-pack setup, it’s best to start from one side and move across horizontally.
Screw directly into wood studs or use suitable anchors if you’re mounting on other surfaces. Tighten securely without overdoing it to prevent stripping. As you attach panels or rails, periodically check with a level to maintain straight lines and ensure stability.
Step 5: Customize Your Storage Solution
Once the rails or panels are firmly mounted, add hooks, shelves, and other accessories based on your garage storage needs.
Many popular garage wall track systems should come with adjustable hooks and modular components that easily snap into place on the Slatwall panels.
You can now also rearrange any of the accessories you have at will, such as:
- mesh baskets,
- bike hooks, and
- gear racks that
Ensure heavier items like sports equipment or power tools are placed in secure, accessible spots for convenience and safety. With everything in place, you can reclaim the floor by maximizing wall storage.
Step 6: Test the System’s Stability
Check the stability of your newly installed system. Load each shelf, hook, or mesh basket incrementally, ensuring the structure holds firmly.
Before testing, check with the product guidebook about the weight it can withstand, and never test more than the mentioned weight to prevent damaging the wall track or your wall.
Step 7: Maintain and Expand as Needed
Regularly check your garage wall track system for signs of wear, especially if exposed to cold and humidity. Tighten screws or re-secure anchors if necessary. Modular systems like SafeRacks and Gladiator® can expand by adding additional panels, rails, and accessories.
Monitor the supply chain for new adjustable hooks, vertical bike hooks, or storage shelf designs that offer a flexible and adaptable storage solution.
Can You Mount A Garage Wall Track System Outdoors?
Mounting a garage wall track system outdoors is possible if you install a weather-resistant model. Make sure the garage wall track system of your choice is capable of withstanding the following:
- Temperature fluctuations
- Direct sunlight
- Moisture such as rain or snow
Here are a couple of reasons why mounting a garage wall track system outdoors is a good idea:
Maximizing Storage Capacity and Flexibility
Outdoor storage can be tough to organize, but using a garage track system lets you reclaim the floor by maximizing wall storage capacity.
Track systems usually offer a flexible and adaptable storage solution for organizing garden tools, sports equipment, or even a bicycle with vertical bike hooks. The adjustable hooks easily snap into the tracks, providing space-efficient outdoor storage.
Weather Resistance and Durability
Heavy-duty track storage systems are built with corrosion-resistant coatings and sturdy steel construction to endure outdoor conditions.
Check product literature for specific loading recommendations and weather resistance ratings, ensuring your chosen system withstands rain, cold, and humidity.
Enhanced Aesthetics and Accessibility
An outdoor wall organization system keeps your tools within reach while maintaining a tidy, organized look. A Slatwall or garage rail system gives your backyard or sheds the appearance of a well-managed outdoor storage unit.
Customize your layout with a 2-pack of mesh baskets or an 8-pack of adjustable hooks to fit your outdoor storage needs perfectly.
Garage Wall Track System: A Good Idea
A garage wall track system is a versatile and smart solution for garage wall organization. It offers a modular, flexible way to maximize wall storage, keeping tools, sports equipment, and garden gear easily accessible while reclaiming floor space.
When possible, opt for wall track systems with heavy-duty construction and adaptable designs. They give you maximum opportunities to customize your storage setup.
A garage wall track system is an excellent investment for an effective, streamlined organization that clears clutter.
