Are Gridwall Panels made for inside or outside use?

As you peruse our many products, you are likely curious about certain retail fixtures that may be suitable for outdoor use, namely our gridwall panels. These panels are highly sought after for their ability to display various products in a single spot and with ease. Gridwall panels are also compatible with accessories such as baskets, shelves, faceouts and waterfalls for hanging clothing. They are also easy to see right through due to the 3”x3” square that make up the panel, and this is great in the event if somebody in the store attempts steal an item.

However, there have been many customers that have asked about our gridwall panels, curious about whether they are suitable for outside, yet still suitable in retail spaces. These include garden centers, home improvement stores, hardware stores, outdoor markets, and more. Can these fixtures be used outdoors as well as indoors? To those who are curious, here is everything you need to know about gridwall panels for outdoor use.

The short answer is that gridwall panels can be used in outdoor settings. However, there are some things you might want to take into account first. 

Gridwall Panels and Outdoor Ground

The biggest thing to point out is that gridwall panels will require flat, even ground to stand up safely and properly. If your outdoor space involves pavement, you should be okay, but there are some stores that would like to utilize their outdoor areas that do not have an even ground.

It is also worth noting that gridwall panels can be used with bases or legs in order to stand and these are sold separately. Bases come in multiple versions, either with wheels or without.

If your outdoor area has grass, be sure that when you place your panels that it is stable, even, and does not move. Be sure that the area you place your panel in does not cause the panel to rock or wobble. If your base has wheels, taller grass can ensure that those wheels won’t move without a large enough force.

If your area has dirt, you can fortunately see that the ground underneath the panel is level by placing more or less dirt where need be. If your base has wheels, you likely do not want too much loose dirt, or else it will make it more difficult for the wheels to maneuver well when you want to move them.

Gravel is the second most ideal type of ground for outdoor retail spaces, only to pavement. If you have gravel, you can see that it can be arranged to accommodate a gridwall panel, either with wheels or without.

Gridwall Panels and Humidity

The second biggest factor to gridwall panels used outdoors is humidity and rain. Store owners are curious about what happens to gridwall panels if they get too wet. Fortunately, their hardware is rather simple, and whether it will rain often or not, these panels can do their job well. The finish on them, however, might wear or chip off over time, leading to an aged or rustic appearance that you may or may not want in an outdoor store fixture. Depending on the panel that you buy, you can use black or white paint to apply a new coat to your panel, so that the appearance of it is restored.

All in all, gridwall panels can be used outdoors, but it is important that you keep them safe and stable so they do not fall over and harm the goods that they display or fall on a customer.

Summary

Gridwall panels are great store fixtures, but can store owners use them outdoors? Here is what we say about how panels react to terrain and humidity.