Tim Carter, of AsktheBuilder.com, demonstrates how to use a hidden French cleat to attach a gorgeous fireplace mantel to a wall.

Video Transcription

Here is an interesting challenge. We have got a beautiful walnut mantel that we need to permanently attach to the wall so it does not fall over but you do not want to use a nails or screws on the surface of it so that you can see those. So how do you it? I will tell you what I like to do. I like to use a French cleat. A French cleat allows me to remove or install a mantel like this simply by using two pieces of wood that interlock with one another. One of which is actually attached to the wall and the other one in my case is attach to the mantel. The way you do it is you basically take one piece of lumber. It can be a three quarters of an inch thick, an inch thick. There is not too much difference and you use a table saw set it at 45 degree angle to split that piece of wood in half and once it is cut, those two pieces of wood match together very much like this. You attach the lower piece, the piece that goes on the wall so that the chisel point faces up and out. And when the piece is attach to mantel comes down you can see how it interlocks and it is impossible for it to come forward. There you go. The hardest part really that the French cleat project is actually moving the mantel. So just get you measurements right, take your time with your cuts, screw it to the walls, screw it to the mantel, drop it in place and you are done. I am Tim Carter, ask the builder. If you want to discover more home improvement tips go to askthebuilder.com