Attaching French Cleats

There are many ways to display glass panel artwork, including hooks, frames, and shelves. But what if you wanted a panel to look as if it were floating in front of a wall without any hardware obstructing the view? One way to do this is by attaching a basic French cleat to the panel with a silicone adhesive.

In this lesson, you'll learn how to design and calculate basic requirements for a French cleat hanging system, what materials and tools you'll need, and how to set up the work area. We'll also cover how to apply and cure the adhesive and how to hang the piece.

More Information

Attaching French Cleats - Additional Information PDF
Includes a list of products used in this lesson.

What Size French Cleat Should I Use? PDF

HELPFUL RESOURCES
Glass Cleaning Basics PDF
Glass Cleaning video
Safety in the Kiln-Glass Studio PDF
Bullseye Kilnforming Notes PDF
What to Expect from Bullseye Glass

FEATURED PRODUCTS

• Dow-Corning 995 Silicone Sealant (8617)
• Spartan Glass Cleaner (8236)
• Two-part French cleat
• Acetone
• Painter’s tape
• Caulking gun
• Ruler
• Thin sharpie marker
• Digital scale

ARTIST CREDITS

Ted Sawyer, Note I-V, 2008
Four kilnformed glass panels, each: 48” x 24” x .25”

Jessica Loughlin, an ever changing constant, 2013
Kilnformed glass, 22.875” x 35” x 1.5”

Cobi Cockburn, A State of Illumination, 2013
Kilnformed and coldworked glass, 45.25” x 45.25” x 1.375”

Nathan Sandberg, Again, 2010
Kilnformed glass, 15.5” x 18.5” x 1”

Klaus Moje, The Portland Panels, 2007
Four fused and diamond-polished glass panels, each: 74.5” x 47.25”

Jeffrey Sarmiento, Museum (Turbulence), 2008
Fused, enameled and watercut glass, 15” x 20.875” x 1.5”