How much weight can a French cleat hold? A French cleat is not about sports shoes when we deal with wood. So, it’s interesting to know what is a French cleat, isn’t it? Or, a not less curious question is how much weight can a French cleat hold? And what about material that is suitable for a good French cleat holding?
Are you ready to get all the details about that? Then, don’t stop reading and you’ll learn as much as possible about the strong French cleat system.
French cleat: what is it?
French cleat is a method of different items attachment with strong weight holding capacity.
French cleats’ popular way of installing is in pairs. Another way is to mount a cleat to the wall with lag screws. The only condition is the hung object should have an equivalent edge angle cut of 45 degrees.
Securely mounted wall side cleat allows you to hang a shelf or a cabinet and not hold it during attaching.
The cleat is not seen behind the shelf or the cabinet, thus, it can be drilled independently of the position of the cabinet. It can be the full length of the cabinet or a bit shorter.
Full-length screwing guarantees optimal support at all wall studs. A slightly shorter cleat allows to shift the cabinet left or right after it was hung for a perfect location. When the wall side cleat is attached, simply lift the cabinet or the shelf onto it.
For better weight-bearing capacity you can secure the bottom of the cabinet and be sure that it is impossible to push it off the wall side cleat during the entire operation.
French cleat usage
French cleats serve for secure holding of your household items like mirrors, artwork, and even kitchen cabinets and TVs on the wall.
It’s not a problem to attach bulky items to the wall if you do everything correctly by following the pieces of advice given in the article.
A French cleat is a widely used kind of wall molding among woodworkers to hang items securely.
Also, garage owners can use French cleats for hanging tools on homemade boards to save space and find quickly all required hand tools.
French cleats suitable for a lot of purposes guarantee order and convenience in the workplace.
Once you’ve installed this system, you’ll have a long-lasting effect of strong and secure hold of both light everyday instruments and heavy loads without a need to continuously check and reinstall them.
How much weight can a French cleat hold?
Two pieces of solid wood that form a French cleat and fit into one another can hold more weight than it seems. By the way, the plywood has the same effect.
The only condition is that both pieces should have a 45-degree cut. The first piece named the wall cleat should be cut on the top edge angled inward. The second piece named the tool cleat is angled outward.
The wall cleat piece is tightly screwed to the wood stud. Then the tool cleat piece is lifted onto the first.
Both pieces are connected at a point known as a pivot point. The support point will be stronger if two cleats sit closer. Thus, a French cleat weight limit increases and holds more weight.
So, a French cleat on average holds from 20 lb to 300 lb. But if you apply solid materials and tough fasteners, you’ll increase to 500 lb of capacity.
Factors influencing the weight holding capacity of a French cleat
Yes, some aspects provide proper French cleat strength. Let’s note them all to define how much weight can it hold:
- French cleat material
- Material thickness
- Fasteners
Is French cleat plywood or solid?
So, what material to prefer to increase weight capacity?
Plywood French cleats are fine for bulky things like picture frames, framed photos, or mirrors. A plywood French cleat will also do great in garages or woodworking shops for hanging tools.
However, heavier objects require more solid materials to hold them. For example, for hanging cabinets, whiteboards, or floating shelves, it is better to use hardwood cleats.
If you are going to organize your workplace or have a storage room, you can make a French cleat wall, a tool wall, or a pegboard.
As they occupy the entire wall, they are heavy enough, thus, you should use solid wood French cleats to increase the weight capacity and be sure of their strength and endurance.
Plastic wall cleat ( high-density polyethylene) is also strong and reliable for hanging flat objects like artwork, signage, panels, or mirrors.
But metal French cleats made from solid extruded aluminum will be more reliable.
They are rust and corrosion-resistant and great for indoor and outdoor use. It is a more secure way to mount bulky objects like shelves or cabinets.
How thick should wood be for a French cleat?
The smallest French cleat thickness of high-quality plywood grade is 1/2 inch. But it serves better if the thickness is 3/4 inch.
Not less important is the length of a cleat. It shouldn’t be shorter than the frame’s half-length.
Fasteners
The reliability of your French cleat wall or French cleat shelf is also ensured by metal fasteners.
To fix the French cleat to the wall, use drywall anchors.
A drywall anchor is an insert in combination with the appropriate screw. It creates a strong anchor anywhere on a drywall panel or a hollow wall.
A strong French cleat should be attached in at least two wall studs, depending on the size of the anchored item, using the lag screws.
Single lag screw ensures to hold a weight of 80-100 lbs. Whereas, two lag screws multiply the weight capacity by 2.
In other words, a French cleat should have not less than two screws. But it’s okay to use as many studs as needed for weight distribution. More studs help a French cleat to hold much weight.
Advantages of French cleat attachment
Endurance. French cleats are highly durable due to their building structure and also secure and reliable as support bulky objects and offer stable holding.
It is very popular mounting solution because of its easy installation method.
Flexibility. French cleat system is flexible too as it allows to continuously customize the workplace and all items at home by rearranging them. You can easily take out, relocate, or add any item at any moment.
Versatility. The versatility of this system is that you’ll hardly find two identical shelves, as everyone mounts according to their needs and tastes.
Besides, you can hang a variety of objects of different sizes and weights.
Space management. You can put in order and manage all items in small rooms. You’ll only benefit when using cleats on the wall as you free much space and keep everything in its appropriate place.
Moreover, every item is well-visible and always at hand.
Aesthetically attractive. Well-arranged wood thin strips along the perimeter add beauty to the wall and decorate the space. It creates an attractive and organized look in your room, workplace, or any other spot.
FAQs
Can I use MDF for French cleats?
Medium-density fiberboard, MDF for short, is manufactured by grinding hardwood or softwood into fibers. Then, at a high temperature, a mixture of crushed fibers, resin binder, and wax is prepared. From the resulting thick mixture, which is laid and pressed on special equipment, heavy and dense boards are formed.
They are cheaper than plywood but less reliable. Medium-density fiberboard holds less weight than other materials. Besides, MDF can weaken over time under humidity changes and temperature variation.
How strong are French cleat shelves?
French cleat shelves are very sturdy, especially if they are from tough materials and well-anchored with lag screws.
How many screws or how many studs should be? It depends on the size of heavy objects. The more studs, the more evenly distributed the weight of the shelves.
What instruments are used in making a French cleat wall?
In general, the instruments you have at home are suitable.
You can use a table saw. If you don’t have it, take a chop saw. Also, take a measuring tape, a power drill, a stud finder, and several lag screws.
To protect your eyes from sawdust, don’t forget to wear safety goggles.
Does the French cleat fit any wall?
Sure, French cleats are used on different walls. You can equally attach artwork or a shelf on a brick, concrete, wood, or drywall if you do everything according to the guide.
Conclusion
Now you’ve received all the necessary knowledge and understand how much weight can a French cleat hold. Also, French cleats are extremely strong for hanging bulky items if installed correctly.
French cleat attaching has only benefits. Plus, it is a cheap and strong way to hang everything you want at any place you want.
You’d know that many woodworking shops use this system which occupies the entire walls with multiple rows containing shelves and boxes that save space, and give order and fast access to all necessary tools and items.
So, don’t hesitate any more and try to install a French cleat!
