Once you have chosen to use slatwall displays in your retail display model, and have ordered the appropriate sections of paneling, installing them is a piece of cake. Though many retailers hire installation crews to put in their slatwall fixtures for them, anyone can install slatwalls on their own to save money. If you have an especially large slatwall, it is nice to have more than one person to help hold things in place, but installation is not very complicated.

To get started, you will need a power drill, phillip's head bits, screws (often included), a jigsaw, a circular saw, a paneling blade, extension cords, a tape measure, a chalk line, a pencil, eye and ear protection, possibly a step ladder, a level, and a stud finder. If you do not have all of these tools, you can pick up everything at the nearest hardware store. Once the materials are gathered and the work area is cleared, the installations process may begin.

Using the chalk line and level, mark a line around the room, or across the wall that is perfectly level. This will allow you to determine the high and low points in the ceiling (if it is not already level) by measuring the distance from the ceiling to the chalk line at various points in the room. Then measure one foot and one quarter inch from the lowest point of the ceiling and using the level and chalk line make another line where you plane to put up the slatwall panel.

Now you need to find all of the studs on the walls being used for slatwall display. You can do this by using a stud finder, or by tapping and testing, then measuring 16" apart from the stud you find. Use the pencil to mark the location of the studs above the top chalk line. Attach the J-tracks (that most likely came with the slatwall) to the end of the panels and position the first panel so that it is level with the upper chalk line 1' 1/4" from the ceiling. With the drill and Phillip's bits, screw in 1" to 1.5" screws along the first row of the slatwall panel into the studs marked early, making sure the screws are long enough to go an inch or more deep.

Your first panel is in place, and you may now align the second panel. Depending on the type of slatwall system, you may have large sections or single rows of paneling. With larger sections made from particleboard or other materials, including more than one row on each peace, simply align other sections with the first panel and secure them into the studs using screws. If you are using panels that come in single row sections, align the tongue of the first panel with the groove on the bottom of the first panel and secure it to the wall. Keeping adding panels until the desired section of wall is covered.

If you will have slatwall displays on more than one adjoining walls, it is a good idea to start the installation process in the corner and work your way out. Take any obstacles such as windows, doors, or other fixtures into account before installing slatwalls so that the panels may be cut to size using the saws.

Once the panels are installed, simply add whatever accessories or fixtures to the t-slots and you are ready to go. Slatwalls are relatively simple to install and last for years, so the time and money invested is well worth it.