Pegboards for Garage Organization (Info & Installation)

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Pegboards are great for garage organization, and you should have one in your garage. Pegboards can also be used to mount any kind of item inside your home.

Pegboard is a grid of predrilled holes. Hooks or pegs made of metal are used to mount items and are easy to reposition. Pegboards are made of wood-based composite materials such as MDF, solid wood, plywood, or metals like steel. Plastic is also used.

Pegboards are a fast and practical way to store and organize everything. There is a multitude of different hooks and brackets to accommodate nearly anything you want to hang.

Metal and plastic pegboards are available in a variety of colors or plain galvanized steel. So they are easy to blend in your home decoration.

Who Invented Pegboards?

There is no authenticated source, but it is believed that pegboard was invented in 1897 by a doctor who wanted to keep his instruments separated to prevent leprosy spread among his patients.

Archie Sanders was the inventor of the many different pegboard hooks.

Peg-Board is an expired trademark used as a brand name by the Masonite Corporation, first used in 1962.

Pegboards are also called perforated hardboard or perfboard.

How Much Weight Can Pegboards and Hooks Hold?

Pegboards can hold 50-200 lbs if properly installed. Metal pegboards are the sturdiest.

Weight capacity depends on a lot of variables, like where it is installed. Drywall, studs, concrete walls. If you are planning to put a lot of weight on the pegboard. Buy a heavy-duty one and use a lot of spacers or furrings strips.

Hooks

Standard hooks carry 15-20 pounds. Some special ones can hold 40 pounds.

Always Install heavy objects to the studs. Drywall can’t hold heavier stuff alone.

Wall studs are usually 16 inches apart.

How Big Are Pegboard Holes?

• Smaller holes are 3/16 inch in diameter, usually in ⅛ inch thick board
• Larger holes are ¼ inch in diameter, generally in ¼ inch thick board

Smaller hole boards are suitable for small projects and lighter-weight stuff.

Larger hole boards are for garages, workshops, and heavier stuff.

Both hole sizes are spaced 1 inch apart.

Organize Tools With a Pegboard

For the yard-tools, don’t use wood or composite materials. Also, for outdoor usage, choose weather and moisture-resistant materials like metal or plastic.

Metal pegboard strips are ideal for hanging longer and heavier stuff. The strips have ¼ inch holes and built-in edge flanges.

Pegboards can also be used for organizing kitchens, laundry, or bathroom cabinets. Use small pegboards or cut from bigger hardboard, that they fit nicely inside the cabinet door. Build a frame or use spacers to create clearance behind the board so hooks can be inserted.

Tip.

Lock in the pegboard hooks so they don’t fall off when you are removing items. You can use hot-melt glue(removable later with a tug) or clips with small barbs, specially made for pegboards to keeping the hooks in place. Or both.

Some items can’t be placed on hooks directly. But there’s are ways around that.

• Hooks and dowel to organize a paper or other rolls.
• Binder clips to hold tool pouches or other stuff
• Pvc pipe over a hook for brushes, zip ties, and similar stuff
• You can also use short 5/16 inch diameter lag bolts that fit into ¼ inch holes If you don’t have hooks.
• Home centers and hardware stores have plenty of different kinds of hooks, shelves, and baskets for basic hand tools and specialized hangers for different types of tools and objects.

Tip.

Search online for “pegboard” followed by “cordless drill holder” or similar objects.

How Much Space Is Needed for Pegboard?

Pegboards come in standard sizes or can be cut from large sheets to the size you need.

For installation, you need to have clearance (1/2-inch or larger gap ) between the pegboard and wall so you can insert hooks or pegs you wish to use.

Plastic and metal pegboard usually have the space built in. Created by the L-shape flanges at the edges.

• Standard sizes are 2×4 ft and 4×4 ft, and 4×8 ft.
• And in 1/8-, 3/16- and 1/4-inch thicknesses.
• Metal panels are generally in 16 and 24-inch increments.

Can You Mount Pegboard on Drywall/Concrete?

Yes. But you need to use anchors. There are different kinds of anchors for drywall and concrete. Consult your local home center or hardware store.

How Do You Mount Pegboard Without Screws?

You can use command strips or two-sided tape. But using those, you cannot put very much weight on the pegboard. It can be a good option for small pegboards and light objects. If you really cant drill or use screws on some location.

There are also freestanding and rolling pegboard carts.

How Do I Install a Pegboard?

You always need a little clearance (1/2-inch or larger gap ) behind the pegboard for the hooks. You need spacers or furrings strips to create the necessary clearance for a finished wall and provide for added stiffness.

You can also build frames around your pegboard.

If your garage walls have exposed studs, you can just screw pegboard to the studs.

Tools Needed

• Stud Finder
• Circular saw or jigsaw
• Pencil, tape measure
• Level, screwdriver
• Drill bit, hammer
• 1 x 2 lumber
• 2-inch washer head wood screws
• 2 1/2-inch drywall or wood screws
• Painting or finishing supplies if needed

Pegboard With Furring Strips

• Find and Mark the Wall Studs
• Use a stud finder. Mark the studs in the area you are gonna cover with pegboard.

• Mark the Edges of Pegboard
• Measure the wall and mark the top and bottom edges of where you want the pegboard to be. Align the side edges properly with the studs.

• Install the Furring Strips
• Cut 1×2 pieces of furring strips to fit between outlines of pegboard and make a framework for studs. Position each strip over a wall stud. Use 2 1/2-inch drywall screws or wood screws. If furring strips split, Drill pilot holes in the strips.

• Cut the Pegboard
• Cut the pegboard or have it cut in the store to match the dimensions you need on the wall. You can also cut seams. Just place the seam over a furring strip. Paint or coat the pegboard if you want.

• Hang the Pegboard
• Position and secure the board to the furring strips and studs with 2-inch washer head screws about 10-16 inches apart. If the board is too big, have a buddy to help you out.

Pegboard Hanging With Spacers

There is metal and plastic cylinders called spacers sold for pegboard installation. You can also use little pieces of wood or metal washers or nuts to make clearance behind the pegboard. Use spacers with hollow wall anchors or into the wall studs.

• Installation is otherwise basically the same as with furring strips. Just use enough spacers to support the board thoroughly. Drill pilot holes for expansion anchors if needed. Screw-in anchors do not need pilot holes.

How Do You Make Homemade Pegboard?

You can make small ones easily. You need.

• Plywood at least 0.50 inches thick
• Power drill and various size drills
• Hand saw
• Paint and sandpaper
• Masking tape, pencil
• Wooden dowels or hooks

Homemade Pegboard

• Saw the plywood to the size you want or have it cut ready to use at home depots or similar services. Sand off the rough edges.
• Mark vertical and horizontal lines to form a grid, and drill proper size holes for your planned dowels or hooks. Drill all the way through the wood.
• Insert dowelling pegs as you want and paint the pegboard. Or leave it as natural wood look. Customize it any way you want. The choice is yours.
• Hang the pegboard up using spacers, or you can use command strips or two-sided tape.

Can You Paint a Pegboard?

Yes, you can. Just select proper paint based on pegboard material.

Metal and wood or plastic all need a different kind of paints.

If your garage has moisture, you can paint or coat both sides of wood or composite pegboards so it doesn’t absorb moisture or swell up.

Most hardboard pegboards come in white and brown. You can paint them with primer and gloss or semigloss paint. Don’t use too much paint, so you don’t clog the holes.

Can Pegboards Be Cut?

Hardboard pegboards are available in large sheets that can be cut to the size you need.

With metal and plastic, you are better off sticking to stock sizes.

If you cut with a circular, saw keep the panel’s better side up to prevent tear-out.

With a jigsaw, keep the better side of the panel down.

Is Pegboard Toxic?

Fiberboard pegboards can contain formaldehyde. But the amount is very low that seeps out and is not considered a risk to the health.

Fiberboard can be dangerous if inner fibers from the pegboard come in contact with your nose or lungs. So don’t cut them with saws.

Fiberboard pegboards were common a long time ago, and almost no manufacturer makes fiberboard pegboards anymore.

Don’t let your dog chew on them.

How Much Pegboards Cost?

Pegboards are cheap to do DIY projects. You can buy them almost anywhere.

Prices start at $10 and go up to hundreds depending on the size and material of the pegboard.

Professional will charge about $100-$350 depending on the board size you need. Including labor and materials

Will Home Depot Cut Pegboard?

Yes. Home depot and other Home centers will cut it to the correct size you need.

Will Pegboard Hold Guns?

Pegboards are great for holding guns also. Just buy appropriate hooks and holders. Some countries require guns to be locked in cabinets or gun racks though.

What Can I Use Instead of Pegboards?

Wall magnets are suitable for metallic objects. Like magnetic knife strips.

The Wall rail systems/slat boards work too instead of a pegboard for organization and tools. You can attach clips, hooks, and shelves anywhere along with the wall rail system. Great for garden tools.

French cleat wall can support a lot of weight and is very flexible. Requires a bit of DIY skills.

Cabinets are a good choice too, or if you have precision tools that need to stay clean.