What Can I Store On a Proslat Wall System? (with Pictures)

I’m looking at installing a slatwall garage organization system. Each vendor’s slat wall hardware is proprietary. I’m researching all vendors before deciding.  I need to hang yard tools, power equipment and ladders. I need to store hoses, sports balls, and yard equipment. Proslat has a good reputation, so let’s see what they’ve got for garage wall storage.

Use the Proslat garage organization system to store bicycles, wheelbarrows, rakes, brooms, power tools, cleaning supplies, hardware, sports balls, skis, baseball bats, fishing rods, ladders and hoses. 

What is a Garage Slatwall (Slat Wall) Organization System?

Garage slatwalls (slat walls) are horizontal channels into which you lock proprietary hooks and baskets. You can then hang tools and sports gear from the hooks and baskets.

The advantage a slatwall offers over regular hooks is that you can move everything around just by pulling and moving the hooks. No hammers or screwdrivers required.

You can install the system over drywall, directly onto studs, or onto furring strips. Each slatwall vendor sells proprietary hardware. Proslat hooks don’t fit on Gladiator tracks. Once you commit to a slatwall vendor, you need to use their hardware. That’s why I’m doing vendor comparison research. Slatwall hooks lock into the wall channels.

When you pull an item off a hook, the hook doesn’t move around, as pegboard hooks do. You can store ladders, yard tools and bicycles on slatwall hooks. You can hang string trimmers, leaf blowers and edge trimmers. You can store tennis rackets, golf bags, and fishing rods. You can make a home for soccer equipment and sports balls.

For storing heavy hoses, view our hose-storage guide.

Proslat Wall Panel Options

Proslat wall panel kits come in 8′ x 4′  and 4′ x 4′ sizes. The panels interlock with one another.  Proslat sells aluminum wall panels. I’m not really interested in aluminum when PVC is available. PVC is durable. You can trim PVC to different sizes.

Increase and Reduce Wall Size

You can hook the panels together, and you can cut them down to size, so 8′ x 4′ and 4′ x 4′ are just starting dimensions. It is possible to cover an entire wall in Proslat slatwall. Their wall panels come with 8 ft. trim pieces to cap the edges (cut the trim in half for 4′ sides).

You can group panels into larger wall coverings. You don’t have to make a wall out of your slatwall kit. You can put one panel at eye level and two more at hip level.

Wall Panel Hooks, Shelves, Baskets and Bins

Proslat wall accessories include hooks, shelves, baskets, and bins. They offer some very specific storage solutions.

Proslat sells a caddy to hang paper towels.

They sell hooks shaped for fishing rods.

They offer hooks designed to squeeze-hold baseball bats and skis.

Some of their Amazon offerings are for retail store displays. I started to go down that rabbit hole, then I realized that a 6-hook rack isn’t really relevant to garage organizers. If you do have a lot of clothing storage to do, check out Proslat’s retail store display hooks and racks.

How do I Install a Proslat Slatwall?

Proslat wall panel installation instructions assume that the garage wall studs are 16 in. on center. If the studs are farther apart, then you should not assume a 75 lb. per sf. load capacity. You can add adhesive between the wall panel and studs, to shore up the bond across wider-than-16-ft. studs. Install the Proslat wall panels onto the garage wall studs. You can install onto the studs or through drywall. Install Proslat panels onto cement with furring strips and Tapcon screws. You will need a cement drill bit. To get the 75 lb. load capacity, you must install slatwall across 5 studs.

1. Start the installation at the bottom.
2. Fasten the middle 3 screws.
3. Leave the outside studs until the end. Install tracks on top of one another. Install the edge trim.
4. Install the edge trim.

I found the Proslat instruction videos to be clear and easy to follow. All the Proslat installation instructions are on this page.

What are the Proslat Load Capacities?

NOTE: The Amazon listing states that the Proslat wall panels have a 75 lb. per linear foot load capacity. The Proslat.com website says it’s 75 lb. per square foot. Huge difference between linear and square feet! I asked Proslat directly. They said that the track/wall load capacity is 75 lb. per LINEAR FOOT, not square foot. The Proslat wall panels have 75 lb. load capacity per linear foot when installed across five 16″ studs. Proslat hooks can carry between 25 lb. and 50 lb. each. See more detailed information about load capacity in each hook and basket description, below.

What Kinds of Hooks Does Proslat Offer?

The Proslat hook selection is a little bit confusing. They sometimes mix up “super duty” and “heavy duty.” They’re the same hook. Here’s a simplified view of the Proslat hook offerings.

Table: Proslat Slatwall Garage Organization Hooks

Proslat offers two different 4 in. hooks. Amazon customers gave bad reviews to the single 4 inch. hook. The single 4 inch hook holds only 15 lb. I don’t know if customers are overloading the hooks. Maybe the hooks are just weak. Amazon customers give high ratings to the remainder of Proslat’s hooks.

What Bin Sizes and Shapes Does Proslat Offer?

I like the Proslat bins. They’re my favorite accessory. Proslat makes the bins from PFE plastic. PFE is easy to clean.

It’s also transparent. You can easily see what’s inside the bins. I prefer the Proslat bins over the Proslat shelves.

But I generally prefer bins over shelves regardless of brand. Bins have sides. Shelves don’t. I enjoy the stability bins offer.

Table: Proslat Slatwall Garage Organization Bins

What Basket Sizes and Shapes Does Proslat Offer?

Proslat gave the XL Mesh Basket a large capacity and a wide mouth. This is a large basket. You might find it difficult to get to bottom items. Put larger items in this basket. Put sports balls and toys in this basket. Baseball bats and hockey sticks will fit well. Proslat also offers a Ball Organizer. Customers are happier using the XL Mesh Basket to store sports balls. The Ball Organizer is not a winner. The compartments are too small to carry soccer balls and basketballs.

Table: Proslat Slatwall Garage Organization Baskets

What Size and Shape is the Proslat Paper Towel Holder (Dispenser!)

At first I dismissed this accessory as unnecessary. However, the towel holder is a dispenser, which changed my mind. A bin can hold a towel, but a towel dispenser is nice little luxury in the garage. The paper towel dispenser has a ridiculously high weight capacity of 75 lb.

Table: Proslat Slatwall Towel Dispenser Storage

What Size and Shape are Proslat Shelves?

The 24″ x 12″ metal shelf is a typical Proslat slatwall accessory shelf. Amazon customers give Proslat shelves high ratings. They call the shelves “strong and sturdy.” While I prefer bins to shelves, Proslat shelves are sturdy and reliable. I just like the tall sides on bins that keep items from falling off the edges. Plus, wire shelves allow things to fall through the shelf itself. I’d rather use bins. (Learn more about garage shelves: Best Fixed Garage Shelves and Best Adjustable Garage Shelves.)

Table: Proslat Slatwall Shelves

Storing Yard Tools on Proslat Hooks

The 4 inch and 8 inch double hooks hold 50 lb. Use these hooks for hanging power tools, garden tools and vacuum cleaners. You can also use the Super Duty/Bike Hook/U-Hook and the Heavy Duty/U-Hook for larger items like power tools.

Storing Cords, Ropes and Hoses on Proslat Hooks

I have some huge (and heavy) hoses to hang so I’m not sure this system is going to work for me. The hose/cord/rope hook (13016) carries 25 lb. But I do like it for hanging electrical cords and rope. I would use the Universal Mount mentioned above, instead.

Some of my hoses are way heavier than 25 lb. I don’t always drain the water before hanging them. A 175 ft. 5/8″ diameter rubber/nylon garden hose weights about 28 lb. If this hose is full of water, it weighs about 52 lb. If this hose is still on the hose reel, the entire package weighs between 65 lb. to 75 lb. Use the Universal Wall Mount for heavier items like my hose reels. The 50 lb. hooks hold more weight, but are not as deep or wide as the hose hook.

Proslat Garage Walls are a Good Value

With the Proslat Walls you get a strong yet flexible system to store tools, equipment, sporting goods, cleaning supplies, nuts, bolts, and coats.

Gladiator won the “Best Garage Organization Wall” (view here) by a hair. It really was a toss up. Both Proslat and Gladiator brands are strong. Gladiator is also a good value.

How to Choose the Best Slatwall for Your Garage

Gladiator and Proslat are the best garage wall systems for two-car garage family storage.

Rubbermaid FastTrack is the best budget garage wall system. Rubbermaid is strong, just less so than Gladiator and Proslat.

Conclusion

The Proslat garage wall organization system has a good reputation. The hooks are strong, except for the 4 in. 15 lb. capacity hooks. The baskets are good, but I would avoid the Ball Storage basket. The compartments aren’t wide enough. The bins look great. They carry an enormous amount of weight. They come in four sizes. The Proslat wall system is a contender.

P.S. Proslat Cabinets

I’m only evaluating the slatwall system today. Stay tuned for a cabinet overview.

P.P.S. Proslat Ceiling Storage

Proslat also offers manual and motorized ceiling storage. I removed the ceiling storage information from this article. I wanted to focus only on the slatwall. I will analyze the Proslat ceiling solutions soon. I will put a link here to that article once I post it.

Why Proslat?

Proslat is a popular slatwall garage organization brand. With two exceptions, Proslat’s Amazon customer ratings range from four to five stars. Owners dislike Proslat’s 15-lb. capacity 4 inch hook. It’s not strong enough. They also dislike the Proslat sports ball bag. It doesn’t hold that many balls. Too much of the bag is material, and not space to hold balls. Customers give high ratings to the Proslat hook assortment, quality and load capacities. Proslat rubber-coats the 4 in. and 8 in. double hooks. You don’t need tools to lock the hooks onto the wall. Customers like Proslat for hanging garden tools such as rakes, brooms, and ladders. Hoses can be very heavy. Check out hose weight reference guide before hanging your hose on your garage wall.

Customers say the Proslat bins hang firmly on the wall. The hardware bins are PFE plastic, which is translucent and easy to clean. People like the bigger bins for storing auto and cleaning fluids. We prefer wall cabinet pesticide storage. But Proslat bins will work. You can store gallon-jugs in the larger Proslat bins. Proslat engineered the bins to hold 50 to 66 lb. Proslat offers specialized garage storage solutions, too. They offer hooks for hanging skis, baseball bats, and fishing rods. They offer a paper towel dispenser with a 75 lb. capacity shelf. Proslat garage wall storage is a heavy duty and good-looking solution.

Proslat is a top-tier garage storage wall solution. It’s sturdy, durable, easy to use and very good looking. I’m also looking at Gladiator and Rubbermaid. They’re all high-quality. It might boil down to which hooks and bins you like.

People Also Ask

Where can I find Proslat assembly instructions? Below! I attached them to this article for you.

Proslat Assembly Instructions 4×4 wall

Proslat Assembly Instructions 8×4 wall