Plastic Pegboard Hooks vs Metal Pegboard Hooks

Two of your options for hanging tools or merchandise from your pegboard are metal and plastic pegboard hooks. Once your pegboard is in place in your shop, you have to select a means of hanging or displaying items from it. Pegboards themselves are made from wood-based composite fiberboard, acrylic, wood and metal, but the hooks you choose do not have to be of the same material. Among the things to consider are price, strength, durability, versatility and selection. Plastic and metal hooks are the two strongest options for hanging goods and/or tools from pegboard. After reading this article, you should have a better idea of which you want to use. 

Plastic Pegboard Hooks

Plastic used to make pegboard hooks is injection molded from the highest quality material. The hooks are designed to be strong, stable and support the weight of any tool or good within reason. No matter what the diameter of the holes in the pegboard, there are plastic hooks to accommodate. Pegboard hooks made from plastic are typically available in white and black and come in a variety of shapes and sizes. Custom colors are available for certain plastic hooks. The most common lengths for the hooks are ¾, 2, 3, 4 and 6 inches. Plastic display hooks are available in 4 common styles. These include the single prong hook, the single prong with a 90° bended tip, the loop type hook with a wide prong and the self-locking 2-piece hook with display holder. 

Uses for Plastic Pegboard Hooks

Plastic pegboard hooks are most useful for displaying merchandise. They are also useful in a workshop, although heavy tools should not be hung from single prong hooks. The 2-piece hook variety with a built-in display is solely for use in a store. In many cases, pegs are a better choice for workshop use, for they can be combined to support a wide variety of tools.

Metal Pegboard Hooks

Metal pegboard hooks come in numerous sizes and shapes, designed to support tools and goods from heavy duty pegboard. Metal pegboard is much stronger than other varieties. When mounted properly, it can support a tremendous amount of weight. Metal hooks are equally durable with the ability to support heavy duty tools, golf clubs, garden supplies or anything else you wish to hang on the pegboard. There are also small metal hooks available to hang smaller implements. Metal hooks for lightweight display purposes rival plastic hooks of similar styles. They are made from zinc or stainless steel. Medium duty display hooks reach as far as 12 inches from the board.  

Plastic vs Metal Hooks

Metal hooks are arguably more versatile than plastic. Light duty metal hooks will support more weight than an identical hook made from plastic. In terms of heavy duty hooks, there is no question: metal is the way to do. Molded plastic hooks are, however, cheaper than metal hooks. 

Depending on what you have to hang or display, plastic may work just as well as metal. This is not always the case, though. If you have metal pegboard and heavier goods to hang, metal hooks are the better choice. For shop owners needing to display lightweight merchandise, plastic may be desirable, especially if it can be custom colored.