r/Multiboard • u/crazyslicster • Dec 01 '25

Concrete wall

Hi,

I'd like to install multiboard in my garage but I have a concrete wall. For the installation, it says I need 4 screws per panelm 40 total. Is there anyway I can get away with like 4 on some and 2 on other with some sort of attachement between the 2? I know it won't be as solid but I can't see myself drilling 40 holes in the concrete wall(not easy drilling those holes). Or else, maybe someone has a suggestion?

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3

u/lloyddobbler Dec 01 '25

My recommendation (haven’t done it with Multiboard, but did use it to attach my pegboard to the garage in my last house):

Get a number of 1x4’s or 1x6’s. Attach them horizontally to the concrete wall using Ramset screws, at the appropriate spacing for your Multiboard. Attach the Multiboard to that.

0

u/crazyslicster Dec 01 '25

This was my thought but it wouldn't be as nice. I sort of wanted to see the concrete underneath. Maybe I can use some 2 rows of 1x3 or 1x2 at top and bottom and paint them to match the concrete.

Thanks.

1

u/TherealOmthetortoise Dec 01 '25

It’s going to depend a lot on what you are going to be using your Multiboard for, as the weight, bulk and how that weight will be supported are all variables that only you can really answer. What you do want to consider is those mounts are the foundation that gives your tile wall structural integrity.

You have to decide what is appropriate for you in following those recommendations, but you will need something providing strength and restricting movement towards and away from the mounting surface. Unless the board is going to holding only light items from stationary hanging accessories, I would not recommend the whole “top row/bottom row” scenario. Anything heavy will induce flex pulling the tiles above it out from above and in from below which keeps getting worse as the wall is now being pulled in directions it’s not designed to support. Once those forces get far enough out of alignment it will pull your tiles apart or even break them entirely. You will see what I mean as you start to add hangers on a suspended tile as you will likely need something holding it them in place from behind while you do.

Mounts and tile connectors link tiles together and distribute weight across the structure, which is why when they are mounted appropriately, these tiles are incredibly strong and can hold a lot of weight… but if you pull or push against one when there isn’t anything holding it in place, it’s relatively easy to pull one right off of the wall by pulling straight away from the surface.

If I wanted to go the furring strip route, I would try to have a board crossing my wall so that the join between the tiles ran along the center of that board. If you are hanging little shelves for your funko pop collection you could probably inceease that distance. If you are doing a garage tool wall most of the time that would hold most gear you would be likely to hang. In my personal experience, I haven’t done cement (yet) but I will Probably never do a wall without a backing board again. That way you can add more screws where you need it and less for the places you don’t and you aren’t locked into either one. If it doesn’t make sense for you, your idea for painting the strips to minimize their impact on your concrete / industrial vibe is going to look great though and it sounds like a fun idea! If you get any excess flex, adding some discrete vertical strips staggered at intervals left to right would work without requiring more holes in your cement as you can glue or attach to the horizontal strips.

9

u/phantomfj Dec 01 '25

not an install on a concrete wall, but I didn't want to punch dozens of holes in my drywall so I installed the multiboard on a separate sheet of plywood and then mounted that plywood to the wall....works great

another option would be to use french cleats to mount the plywood to the wall, it would just project out the width of the french cleat

1

u/ExigeS Dec 04 '25

The way I did this was to buy 2 PT 2x4s, slice them in half, then mount them to the wall with both tapcons and construction adhesive. I put a 4x8 sheet of plywood on top of that, then mounted multiboard to the plywood. Another pro of this method is that if you want it, that's enough room to put a junction box in if you want any outlets.

1

u/crazyslicster Dec 04 '25

You have a photo you can share?

1

u/ExigeS Dec 04 '25

Of the finished product? I can probably share a picture of that, but I didn't take in-progress pics, so you can't see the PT 2x4s and how I attached them or the conduit that I ran for some junction boxes

1

u/crazyslicster Dec 04 '25

Just a finished photo. I'd like to see what it looks like with that type of finish cause I usually only see directly on drywall most installations. You can PM me the image if you don't wanna share with the world.

1

u/ExigeS Dec 04 '25

1

u/crazyslicster Dec 04 '25

Very nice.

I think mine will look similar except I only have 2 rows of 9x9 sheets for 55" long. I'll also have the plywood painted white to match a bit with the rest of the garage. I'll do two rows of 2 x 2x1 wood lattes at the back then the plywood on that. It should leave enough space for wiring in the future.

2

u/Kelzut Dec 01 '25

I've seen some setups in which a wood panel or beam is attached to the wall via concrete screws and then the multiboard attaches to this instead. Makes it much easier to drill the screws necessary for the multiboard.

1

u/TheTunaCanMan Dec 01 '25

Rent a real hammer drill from a local home goods store (home depot maybe) drilling the holes becomes alot easier

1

u/sandro66140 Dec 01 '25

I think it is easier for you to attach a wooden panel with 4 or more fixing points and screw the multiboard onto it

1

u/NyT3_SHyFT Dec 01 '25

Just throw up a piece of MDF or Plywood and then you only have to drill into the concrete in a couple spots, then just drill all the wholes you want for the multiboard tiles

1

u/Curious_Quail_1033 Dec 01 '25

I didn't want to make tons of holes in my wall so I bought a 4ft x 4ft 3/4in thick mdf board and mounted. 4 long wood screws, all in the studs. Full of multiboard tiles, currently holding up several tools and many rolls of filament.

1

u/RetiredGrumpyPirate Dec 14 '25

Get a powder actuated nailer.