Hey everyone! I'm thinking about adding French cleats around my home office for some organization but I've never tackled this project before. I'm torn on whether to use 1/2" or 3/4" plywood for the wall boards. Also, I need advice on the best fasteners to use to attach the boards to the wall. I'd like to avoid large framing nails to keep things looking tidy. I was considering 15-gauge nails, but I'm unsure if they'd be strong enough. Any suggestions?
3 Answers
I'd recommend going with 3/4" plywood, especially if you've got wood studs. Use screws like the #10 GRK screws—2.5" should usually do the trick. Just remember, 15 or 16-gauge nails are more for finish work and aren’t ideal for French cleats since screws can be removed if you need to adjust things.
I'm doing this too using walnut strips. Definitely go with screws into studs. To keep it looking clean, I plan to hide the screws with a counterbore.
When you're using French cleats, remember that whatever hangs from them will pull the wall boards away from the wall. So, it's best to use screws into the studs instead of nails. I personally think 1/2" plywood is enough. While 3/4" would give a sturdier look, it might come off as bulkier. I learned the hard way with my garage—had too many rows and wished I had just focused on a couple of strips and planned things better from the get-go. I used pine, but next time, I'll definitely opt for something nicer.