Wall design should match its intended usage and space.  A commercial gym is usually a combination of a bouldering, top-rope, and lead wall.   A home gym usually contains just a bouldering and top-rope wall.  Our competitors will sell you a cookie-cutter design, but each Vertical Solutions wall is unique, designed for your specific needs and constraints.  Vertical Solutions will work with you to custom design a wall that best suites your application, the available space, and your budget.

Bouldering Wall

• Climbing without ropes, but at shorter heights.
• Very popular with kids, adolescence, and active adults. 
• With no ropes, a belay partner is not required, which frees participants from needing to organize climbing time with others.
• 10ft to 20ft high walls with thick pad systems to protect climber from falls. 
• Bouldering walls are great options for ceiling height restrictions.
• Highest climber throughput rate for commercial applications; a climber will occupy a section of wall five-foot wide to the the top for about a minute.
• Great for climbers of all abilities, but climbers must be confident at falling onto pads.
• Easy to staff for commercial applications.

Top-rope Wall

• Rope is anchored to the wall at the top of each climb. 
• 20ft to 50ft high walls.
• Each climber requires a belay, which is usually another person, but auto-belay systems are available.  Belay instruction requires 10 to 15 minutes.
• Best for beginner and intermediate climbers.
• Medium climber throughput; a climber will occupy a five-foot by height-of-wall for approximately 5 to 10 minutes.
• Lowest liability risk.

Lead Wall

• Similar to top-rope walls, but climbers anchors rope to wall every five feet or so during ascent. 
• Intermediate to expert climbers only.
• Advanced belayer required to protect climber from fall. Belay instruction alone can require multiple classes. 
• Staff intensive for commercial applications.
• Lowest throughput rate.
• Highest liability risk
  

Depending on the wall type, height, and details, various framing techniques may be employed to minimize the cost of the structure, but the climbing surface will always be beautiful cabinet-grade birch wood with a clear or colored textured finish.  You'll be amazed by the aesthetic, natural look.  Check out some of our work.

The wall topology describes the shape of the wall surface, flat or curved. Topology effects the climbability, appearance, and cost of the wall.  A single wall can employ multiple topologies.

• Flat surface - Like facets on a diamond - a wall may have only a few or many flat surfaces. This is the least expensive construction method.
• Simple curves - like the surface of a barrel, although the arc need not be constant.
• Compound curves - these are the most complex and expensive walls, but they are beautiful to admire and climb.

Rock-like surfaces, available from some of our competitors may look appealing, but this design greatly limits the placement of climbing holds and the ability to add large "features" to keep the wall fresh and new.  Our designs use large simple surfaces to create perfect climbing and allow for big holds and big features to keep everyone excited about your wall. 

Designed and built by and for real climbers. Vertical Solutions has years of experience in construction and the operation of climbing gyms.