Hospitality Jargon Explained

Joinery is the craft of connecting pieces of wood—or other materials—using specialized techniques and tools to create functional and visually appealing structures such as doors, windows, furniture, and architectural elements.

It involves a wide range of methods designed to produce joints that are both strong and aesthetically refined. While traditional joinery techniques remain highly valued for their craftsmanship and durability, modern joinery also embraces engineered wood products and innovative materials to meet evolving design and construction needs.

	Examples of Joinery: Doors and Windows: Frames, panels, and other components are joined together to create these essential building elements.  Common Joinery Techniques: Mortise and Tenon: A strong and versatile joint where a tenon (a projection) is inserted into a mortise (a hole).  Lap Joint: Where two pieces of wood overlap and are joined.  Finger Joint: A joint where interlocking fingers are cut into the ends of two pieces of wood.  Tools of the Trade: Joiners use a variety of hand and power tools, including saws, chisels, planes, drills, and jointers.
Staircases	The precise joining of steps and risers is a key aspect of joinery.
Timber Framing	Traditional joinery techniques are used to create strong, interlocking timber structures.
Butt Joint	What it is: A butt joint is a simple woodworking joint where the ends of two pieces of material are joined together, often with glue, nails, screws, or other fasteners.  Definition: A butt joint is created by butting the end of one piece of material against the edge or face of another.  Common Uses: Butt joints are frequently used in framing, floor joists, and deck construction, where they are often reinforced with metal brackets or other hardware.  Strength: While simple and quick to make, butt joints are not inherently strong and often require additional reinforcement for stability.  Reinforcement: Butt joints can be strengthened with glue, nails, screws, dowels, splines, or metal plates.  Variations: There are several variations of butt joints, including edge-to-edge, face-to-face, and end-to-face joints, each with its own advantages and disadvantages.  Alternatives: For stronger joints, woodworkers often prefer other types of joints, such as mortise and tenon joints, dovetail joints, or box joints.  Other Applications: Butt joints are also used in welding, where two pieces of metal are joined by welding in a straight line.
Dovetail Joint	What it is: A dovetail joint is a series of overlapping, flared connectors that join two pieces of wood.  How it works: One piece of wood has a series of "tails" (wedge-shaped pieces) cut into its end.  The other piece of wood has a series of "pins" (grooves cut out) that fit into the tails.  The interlocking shape of the pins and tails creates a tight, strong joint that resists being pulled apart.  Why it's used: Strength and Durability: Dovetail joints are known for their exceptional strength and ability to withstand stress and weight over time.  Applications: They are commonly used in furniture, cabinets, log buildings, and traditional timber framing, particularly for drawer construction.  Types of Dovetail Joints: Through Dovetail: The most basic type, where the tails extend completely through the end of the board.  Half-Blind Dovetail: The tails are not cut all the way through, creating a more concealed joint.  Secret Mitered Dovetail: Used for corner joints, where the dovetails are cut on the angled edge of the boards.  Sliding Dovetail: Used for drawer slides, where one piece slides into the other.
Rabbet	What it is: A rabbet is a recess or groove cut into the edge of a piece of wood, creating a shoulder.  How it works: The rabbet is designed to receive the edge of another piece of wood, creating a flush or overlapping joint.  Common uses: Rabbet joints are commonly used for: Joining sides of woodwork, such as kitchen cabinetry and drawers.  Creating an inset in the back of a cabinet to hold the back panelling.  Forming the joints for the ends of shelving.  Single Rabbet Joint: The most common type of rabbet joint is a single rabbet, where only one of the mating parts is rabbeted.  Lock Rabbet Joint: A more complex variation is the lock rabbet, which creates a stronger, more secure joint.  Advantages: Stronger than a simple butt joint.  Creates a flush or overlapping surface.  Provides a large glue surface area.  Disadvantages: Vulnerable to cross-grain stress.  Requires precise cutting and alignment.  May not be suitable for all woodworking projects.  Terms: Rabbet: The recess or groove cut into the edge of the wood.  Rebate: The British English term for a rabbet.  Dado: A groove cut across the face of a piece of wood, with two vertical sides.  Groove: A groove cut along the length of a piece of wood, with two vertical sides.
Dado	What it is: A dado joint involves cutting a channel (the dado) across the grain of a piece of wood, creating a slot where another piece can fit snugly.  How it works: The dado is cut across the width of the wood, and the edge of a corresponding piece is then inserted into the channel, creating a strong, interlocking joint.  Why it's used: Dado joints are popular for their strength and are commonly used in applications like shelving, cabinets, and drawers, where a secure and often hidden connection is needed.  Groove vs. Dado: While both grooves and dados are channels cut into wood, a dado is cut across the grain, while a groove is cut with the grain.  Rabbet vs. Dado: A rabbet is a notch cut on the edge of a board, while a dado is a channel cut across the grain.  Tools: A table saw with a dado blade or a router with a dado bit are commonly used to cut dado joints.  Half Dado: A half dado is formed with a narrow dado cut into one part, coupled with a rabbet of another piece, which is used to hide gaps due to varying material thicknesses.  Strength: Dado joints are known for their strength and durability, making them a reliable choice for various woodworking projects.