Cleat
A small piece of wood fastened to a surface to serve as a support, guide, or attachment point, commonly used in French cleat mounting systems for shelves and cabinets.
In-Depth Explanation
Cleats are versatile fastening elements used throughout woodworking and construction. The most well-known application is the French cleat system, where a board is ripped at a 45-degree angle and one half is mounted to the wall while the other is attached to the back of a cabinet or shelf. The mating bevels interlock to create a strong, easily adjustable mounting system. Simple rectangular cleats are also used as shelf supports inside cabinets, ledger strips to support stair treads, and nailing strips for attaching trim or panels. Cleat material should match the load requirements. The French cleat system has gained enormous popularity in workshop organization, allowing tools and storage to be rearranged at will.
Usage Example
I mounted a French cleat system across the entire workshop wall so I can rearrange tool holders and shelves anytime.