The Pros & Cons of Homemade Pegboard

Tossing up between a homemade pegboard and a high-quality, professionally manufactured counterpart? While we love a good DIY session there are some things that should be left to the experts. Pegboards fall into this category and are generally something that should be manufactured by a professional, not a DIY enthusiast.

Sure, a homemade pegboard may be cheaper. But ultimately, you’re sacrificing the safety of your tools, craft equipment, and any other items you plan to hang on it. Still wondering if you should cut costs with a homemade pegboard?

Read on as we explore the pros and cons of homemade pegboards and some things to consider before opting for the DIY route.

 

Pros of homemade pegboards

There are some pros to consider when deciding whether to buy or build a pegboard. Below we take a look at some of the key benefits to a homemade pegboard, including cost and the option to customize your creation.

Cost

Cost is one of the biggest factors that prompts people to make their own homemade pegboards. A quick trip to the hardware store is all you need to stock up on supplies to make a pegboard at home. Unfortunately, this is where things start to get complicated. Unless you’re an experienced carpenter, a homemade pegboard can be a headache to make. For most people the convenience and ease of buying a pegboard far outweighs the benefits of making one from scratch.

Customization

Some people choose to make their own pegboards so they’re free to customize things like layout and color. What many people don’t know is that you can achieve even better results with a custom pegboard service. There’s no need to get your hands dirty with wood-friendly paints. Instead, simply upload your custom artwork and have it printed directly onto your pegboard for a high-quality finish.

 

And the cons…

While a homemade pegboard is a more cost-effective option, it’s not necessarily the best choice. Below, we explore some of the cons to consider when choosing between a homemade pegboard and a product manufactured in a purpose-built factory.

Loose hooks

Pegboards are precision-built to fit hooks of a certain size, generally ¼” in diameter. When you make your own pegboard, you’ll need to be extremely careful you’re drilling holes that are the right size. If they’re too big your hooks will slide out when they’re exposed to weight. This is not only dangerous but can damage the materials you store on your pegboard when they crash to the ground. With a professionally made pegboard you’ll enjoy the total peace of mind that when you secure an item to a hook it’s there to stay. Remember, even high quality pegboard hooks are useless on a board with holes that are too big or small.

Safety risk

Whether you’re storing heavy power tools or lightweight craft supplies, homemade pegboards can be dangerous when not assembled properly. Loose pegboard hooks and unstable boards can result in materials falling on users unexpectedly. If you’re thinking of making a DIY pegboard for kids this is a big concern. Even small items like a pair of scissors or a tin of pencils can injure a child and leave you wondering why you didn’t invest in a high-quality pegboard. Safety is also a huge factor to consider when installing pegboards in the workplace. As an employer it’s your responsibility to keep staff safe and a DIY pegboard could compromise your efforts.

Lack of features

When you make your own homemade pegboard, you’re missing out on premium features offered by professional manufacturers. For example, LED backlights are one of the most popular addons requested by pegboard customers.

 

Compromised longevity

Where a homemade pegboard may last you a matter of months before you start to encounter issues, a high-quality product will offer years of use. Getting it right the first time will save you time and money, making professionally manufactured pegboards well worth the investment.

Time consuming

Like assembling IKEA furniture on a Friday night or mowing the lawn on Sunday afternoon, building your own homemade pegboard isn’t exactly the most exciting way to spend your weekend. In between making multiple trips to your local hardware store, watching YouTube tutorials, and figuring out how to assemble all your parts, a homemade pegboard can easily consume hours, if not days of your precious time. In comparison, ordering a premade pegboard online takes a matter of minutes.

 

The final verdict on homemade pegboards

At the end of the day, the cons of a homemade pegboard outweigh the benefits. A DIY version may be cheaper but ultimately you risk losing money when your expensive power tools, sporting equipment, or craft supplies are damaged due to loose or wobbly hooks.

Safety is also a big issue, making homemade pegboards unsuitable for all but the lightest materials. Unless you’re storing feathers, cellophane, and sequins it’s better to invest in a high-quality custom pegboard that isn’t a safety risk. This goes for pegboards installed at home and in the workplace.

 

Investing in a high-quality pegboard

The good news is you don’t need to spend a fortune to install a high-quality pegboard in your home or workplace. In fact, by the time you’ve stocked up on supplies at your local hardware store the cost of making a homemade pegboard is similar to purchasing a professionally made product from PegBoarder. With the option of premium birch plywood or standard white MDF, you can customize your pegboard to fit the aesthetics of your space.

There’s also the option of personalizing your pegboard with beautiful artwork printed with high-quality UV ink. Yet another reason to love PegBoarder products. Get in touch with the friendly team today to find out more about how to bring your custom pegboard vision to life.