Metal pegboards are heavier, but they’re more durable than the typical wood or plastic. Wood and plastic boards are lighter and they tend to have a warmer feel if you’re installing the board indoors. You can always paint a pegboard if you don’t like the way it looks, so don’t worry a ton about the color if you have a specific look in mind and you’re feeling crafty.
You can use a jigsaw instead of a circular saw if you prefer. If you have an especially thin wood or plastic pegboard, you can use a sharp utility knife to score the board and then snap it off by hand.
You are going to screw the furring strips into the wall and then hang the pegboard on the furring strips. This will provide additional support and ensure there’s a gap between the board and the wall for your hooks to slide through. You can cut furring strips to size with a handsaw, jigsaw, or circular saw. The number of furring strips you need depends on the size of the pegboard. For a board that’s roughly 3 by 3 feet (0. 91 by 0. 91 m) or so, create a square-shaped frame for the edges of your board.
Studs are typically spaced out every 12 inches (30 cm) or 16 inches (41 cm).
Only hang vertical furring strips on studs. You can install as many furring strips as you’d like. You typically don’t need more than two (top and bottom edge) for smaller pegboards. For larger pegboards, you might place one furring strip every 1 ft (0. 30 m) or so.
If there are instructions that came with your pegboard regarding how far apart your screws should be, follow those instead. Mark screw slots on every single furring strip you mounted.
There are spacers designed specifically for pegboard that make this process easy. [9] X Research source You can pick them at any home improvement store. If possible, buy adhesive spacers. This way, you can install the spacers over the screw slots you marked ahead of time so you don’t need to fiddle around in the small space between the wall and the pegboard. [10] X Research source
If you don’t have adhesive spacers, you’ll need to have a friend hold the board up while you slide the spacer in between the pegboard and the wall so that it lines up with the slot. Then, drive the screw through the gap in the pegboard and the spacer.
If the pegboard came with spacers, there should be instructions on where you need to install support screws. If there are no instructions, mark one circle every 8–16 inches (20–41 cm) around the edges of the board.
Do not use toggle bolts. The pegboard is likely going to tear the drywall out if you use toggle bolts. [14] X Expert Source Patrick JohnsHome Improvement Specialist Expert Interview. 26 October 2021.
Use a spirit level to ensure that your board is horizontally and vertically straight. This is especially important if you’re using furring strips.
Continue this way until you’ve installed every screw along the top row of the peg board. Starting at the top makes it a lot easier for the person holding the pegboard to keep it still.
If you’re using furring strips, you just need your screws to line up with the strips to mount a pegboard.
Alternatively, you can put stickers or hand-drawn designs on the pegboard directly. Lay out a drop cloth if you’re painting it on the wall and use a wood skewer or toothpick to remove any drips that develop around the holes. If you’re hanging the board in the kitchen, paint both sides before you hang the pegboard.
There are even shelving units you can buy to put things like plants, pots, or other items you can’t hang on your pegboard.
In the garage, use your pegboard to hang your hand tools, tape, gardening items, or cleaning supplies. People rarely use pegboards to hang heavy power tools. In the kitchen, you can hang pots, pans, spatulas, and whisks from your pegboard. Be careful with super heavy items, like cast iron skillets, though! In an office space or studio, you can use your pegboard to hang desk organizers, plants, incense holders, and other office supplies.
