Brandon Pecoraro // Brentwood, MD
When did you build your wall? Was it a “COVID baby”?
The wall was built in May 2020. While it is a covid baby, I also was out of commission from a broken ankle since February. With healed ankle and closed gyms, I needed a home wall.
How long did it take you to build and what did that time look like?
It took 2 full days to build out the frame. The wall has an 8×8 45 degree section with a 4×8 roof. It was very exciting (except for the time spent hammering in t-nuts).
Not including holds and padding, how much did it cost you to build?
Any surprises there? The wall cost about 1000 without holds. The only surprise was that I had to move recessed lighting because the roof part of the wall covered it up.
What are you doing for padding? Since my wall is only 6.5 feet tall, I use 2 inch thick gymnastic pads under the roof section, and one inch thick puzzle piece gym mats. I’ve taken some falls on both and it’s sufficient padding.
What was your primary incentive for the wall? Did anything in particular inspire your wall design?
When the pandemic started and gyms closed, I knew that I wouldn’t be able to climb in my local gym for a long time. Even when the gym reopened in the summer, I still cannot go because I am immuno-compromised and can’t risk getting sick.
What was the most difficult aspect of the design and build?
The only indoor space available in my house was my basement, which is only 7 feet tall. So it was difficult to design a wall that would have enough climbing space to keep me engaged. I decided to go with a 45 degree section and a roof section to best fit in the vertically constrained space.
What would you do differently?
I would like the roof section to be a bit bigger. In the future I plan on expanding the length by another 4 feet.
Did you make any mistakes along the way or choose to re-do any aspects?
The roof section goes along the ceiling, so I am unable to easily fix spinners. I plan on making an access panel through the side of the roof framing to be able to reach them.
What is your favorite aspect?
I like having more than one angle to climb on. If I had only a 45 degree section or only a roof section I think that I would have less of an ability to set interesting routes given the small area.
How often do you use the wall?
Do you think you’ll still use it as much when the gyms fully open back up? I use the wall every other day. I think that once I’m comfortable going to gyms again (still a while away) I’ll use the wall twice a week and go to the gym twice a week.
Any words of wisdom to aspiring homewallers?
Small spaces can be workable!
