French cleats are an excellent and sturdy choice for hanging just about anything on a wall. But what’s the best wood to use for a french cleat?

In short, a french cleat can be made from any species of wood and even plywood. As long as your french cleat is properly constructed and firmly secured to both your wall and the item you are hanging, the type of wood you use won’t make too much of a difference.

I’ve personally used everything from birch plywood to pine to red oak for french cleats–and honestly, they’ve all performed equally well.

If, however, you are concerned about the strength of your french cleat, you can always opt for hardwoods like oak and maple, which are more durable than softwoods like cedar and pine.

Based on my own experience, it typically comes down to personal preference and the kind of wood you have at your avail.

Can You Use A 2X4 For A French Cleat?

Yes, a 2×4 can work great for a french cleat. Simply rip your 2×4 down the middle with your saw set to a 45-degree angle, then attach one piece to your wall and the other to the item you’d like to hang.

That said, a 2×4 is on the thicker side when it comes to french cleats. In fact, I typically construct my french cleats out of 3/4″ or 1/2″ material.

So, before you opt for a 2×4, just make sure you have enough room behind the piece you’re hanging to conceal it.

Can You Use Plywood For A French Cleat?

Yes, plywood is a fantastic option for a french cleat. Since it’s constructed out of multiple layers of wood glued together, it’s quite strong and flat–both of which are essential for french cleats. And, since it comes in a variety of thicknesses, you can easily find plywood that will work for your project.

In most cases, plywood is my go-to choice for french cleats.

For instance, I recently built and hung a row of larger-than-average cabinets in my parents’ garage using a plywood french cleat. It was incredibly strong, easy to make, and made hanging the cabinets an absolute breeze.

How Thick Should A French Cleat Be?

Most french cleats are between 1/2″ and 3/4″ thick. That said, depending on the size and weight of the object you’re hanging, french cleats can be as thin as 1/4″ and as thick as 1-1/2″. The size of your french cleat depends on the application and weight requirements.

For instance, if you’re looking to hang a small picture frame or piece of artwork, a thinner french cleat will likely suffice. But, if you want to hang something heavy like a large mirror or cabinet, you’ll need to opt for a thicker french cleat.

The more important consideration is how secure your french cleat will be to the wall and the item you’re hanging.

After all, a french cleat is only as strong as the screws or glue holding it in place. So, make sure you use appropriate hardware and pick a thickness that allows you to drive in long enough screws or apply enough glue to ensure a secure connection.

Can I Use Pine For A French Cleat?

Yes, pine is a great option for a french cleat. It’s strong, easy to work with, and relatively inexpensive. As long as the pine board you use is sufficiently flat and free of voids and cracks, pine is plenty strong for a french cleat.

I often use pine when I’m working on smaller projects or need to save a bit of money.

To achieve the best possible results, I recommend milling (i.e., squaring) your pine boards to get rid of any warps and twists when using them for a french cleat. However, if you don’t have the ability (or “toolage”) to accomplish this, a simple rip on the table saw will suffice.

Are French Cleats 45 Degrees?

French cleats typically range from 30 – 45 degrees. Since 45 degrees is a standard miter angle for most woodworking projects, it’s the easiest and most common option. However, if you’d prefer to create a french cleat with a more acute angle, that’s certainly an option as well.

The important thing to remember is that the angle of your french cleat should be complementary to the angle of the item you’re hanging.

For instance, a french cleat cut at 30 degrees would need to match up with a 60-degree angle, a 35-degree angle with a 55-degree angle, a 40-degree angle with a 50-degree angle–you get the idea.

If you do decide to go with an angle other than 45 degrees, just make sure to keep all your like angles together. After all, you don’t want to end up with 2 of the same angles on one french cleat.

If you want to avoid any confusion, I recommend you err on the side of caution and go with 45 degrees. Since all of your pieces will be the same angle, you won’t have to worry about matching complementary angles.

Can You Make A French Cleat With MDF?

Yes, you can make a french cleat with MDF. However, if possible, you should opt for wood or plywood instead. Since MDF lacks any kind of grain structure, it’s more prone to breaking and crushing. Put simply, MDF will work in a pinch, but it’s not the best material for a french cleat.

Bottom Line

You can use just about any kind of wood or plywood for a french cleat. As long as it’s sturdy, flat, and has minimal knots and voids, you should be good to go.