Install Pegboard
Pegboard is pre-drilled hardboard often used as an organizational grid for tools and other supplies. It is tempered, so it is especially rigid, hard and strong. Installing a pegboard wall in your garage or home is a surprisingly inexpensive project, although it requires detailed measuring, leveling and wall support.
Contents
Steps
Buying Your Materials
- Measure the area on your wall where you want to install the pegboard. You should know the length and width of the area before you go to the home improvement store.
- Buy a piece of pegboard. Pegboard is usually sold in two by four, four by four and four by eight foot pieces. If you want an exact size, buy the larger size of pegboard and ask the large home improvement store to cut it to size.
- Most box stores will do this free of charge or for a nominal fee.
- You can also install several pegboard sections in tiles along your wall.
- Purchase furring strips to use as a frame. Cut them to the width of your pegboard.
- A frame will allow you space between the wall and board to connect hangers. It will also support the pegboard and avoid damage to your wall.
- Find a paint color that you want to use on your pegboard. It is sold in white or brown and can be left unpainted if you choose. In order to make a camouflaged pegboard for a craft room or kitchen, paint your pegboard the same color as your walls.
- You can also use spray paint to create a contrasting pegboard installation.
- Paint the pegboard a few days ahead of time in the garage or outdoors. Painting in advance will reduce the smell of the paint. It will also mean the paint is cured before you hang anything.
Mounting the Pegboard
- Use a stud finder to mark off your wall studs. If you can’t find the studs and you are hanging the pegboard on drywall, install wall anchors every 16 inches so that the pegboard is adequately supported.
- Drilling into studs is preferable, since pegboards are often used to hang heavy tools or kitchen pots and pans.
- Ask a friend to help you install the furring strips. Hold them horizontally across the wall and place a level on top. Adjust until it is level, and then ask a friend to hold the strip while you drill long wood screws through the furring strips and into the studs or wall anchors.
- For a small pegboard, two horizontal furring strips should be adequate. For larger installations, use three or four.
- Drill pilot holes through the furring strips before you place them against the wall and after you level it, so that you can match the strip with the wall anchor.
- Raise the pegboard up to cover the framing strips. Ensure it is level and then get ready to mount it with help from a friend.
- Screw the pegboard into the furring strips using 3/4 inch screws with washers. Screw the pegboard in at regular intervals, such as six inches apart, in a horizontal line. Repeat with remaining furring strips to secure the pegboard to the wall.
Using the Pegboard
- Buy a pegboard organizer kit. Make sure it matches up to the pegboard interval of the board you purchased. Pegboards are available in 1/4 and 1/8 inch (0.6 and 0.3cm) holes.
- Lay the hangers out on a large table. Experiment with the configuration by placing the tools, craft supplies or kitchen supplies next to the hanger.
- Install from the table to the pegboard to ensure the proper layout.
- Add additional screws and washers if your pegboard moves extensively when you install the hangers.
Tips
- Pegboard hangers are usually available in kits for about $10. Kits that include the pegboard and a wide variety of tool hangers can cost over $100. Installing a pegboard by purchasing board and hangers is likely to be less expensive than purchasing a kit.
- You can also hammer small nails into the pegboard to create custom hangers. Measure the width of the tool and hammer in the nails on either side of the handle. Slide the tool in between the two nails.
Things You'll Need
- Measuring tape
- Pegboard
- Furring strips
- Stud finder
- Three inch (7.6cm) wood screws
- 3/4 inch (1.9cm) wood screws
- Washers
- Plastic wall anchors
- Level
- Power drill
- Paint (optional)
- Pegboard organizing kit
- Hammer
- Nails
