Joinery | Connections
Construction joinery refers to the process of joining different pieces of wood or other materials together to form a structure or component. This can be done using various techniques, such as nailing, screwing, gluing, and doweling. Joinery is a crucial part of the construction process, as it helps to ensure that a building or other structure is strong, stable, and able to withstand the various forces it will encounter. Some common types of construction joinery include butt joints, where two pieces of wood are joined together at their ends; lap joints, where one piece of wood overlaps another; and mortise and tenon joints, where a projection on one piece of wood fits into a recess on another piece.
A joiner is a tradesperson who specializes in the fabrication and installation of woodwork, such as doors, windows, and staircases. Joiners typically work in a workshop, using hand and power tools to create precise, high-quality wood products that are ready for installation on a construction site. A carpenter is a tradesperson who works with wood and other materials to construct, install, and repair structure. Carpenters may also do some joinery work, but they are generally more involved in the overall construction process, including measuring, cutting, and fitting materials.
Japanese wood joinery is known for its use of interlocking joints that do not require nails or other fasteners to hold them together. Instead, the joints are carefully crafted to fit together perfectly, creating a strong and stable connection. Japanese wood joinery is highly prized for its beauty, durability, and craftsmanship, and is often used in the construction of temples, shrines, and other traditional buildings in Japan.
Some of the strongest types of wood joinery include mortise and tenon, dowel, and biscuit joints. These joints are created using various techniques, such as inserting projections into recesses, using dowels or biscuits as connectors, and securing the joints with glue or other fasteners. These methods create strong, stable connections that can withstand significant force.