Root > Joints > Frame
Frame Joints
Whereas case joints join boards end to face, frame joints are primarily concerned
with joining end to edge. Many design options are available to allow you to produce
strong joints that can overcome the inherent weaknesses of end grain to long grain
joints.
Frame-and-panel construction techniques were developed as a way to compensate for
wood movement. Wood has a propensity to expand and contract the most in the direction
of the growth rings (when viewed from the board's end). This movement is most
often twice the amount of movement across the grain lines. Therefore any large board,
whether composed of a single board or of multiple smaller boards joined together,
will exhibit a considerable amount of expansion from edge to edge. Projects that
are composed of large boards joined together will frequently experience joint failure
due to the natural wood movement.
By constructing a frame around a floating panel, the panel can expand and contract
safely within the confines of the frame, and the frame will experience only minimal
fluctuations due to the narrow boards used for frames. Whereas traditional frames
were used panels primarily for their practicality, many of today's panels also
add a considerable amount of visual appeal to the frame.
Frames are primarily used as components in case construction, and can be found serving
as case sides, back, top, doors, and drawer-fronts. Frames are broken down by their
primary use:
A face frame is applied to the exposed outer face of a case to add visual
detail, hide raw wood edges, stiffen and reinforce, and to provide edges and support
for doors and drawers. The basic face frame is composed of a vertical stile along
either side, and a horizontal rail across the top and bottom. The rails always run
between the stiles, like rungs in a ladder, and not the other way around. To remember
which is which, think of a horizontal railing at the edge of a balcony,
or the fact that stiletto shoes have vertical heels.
A web frame is usually an internal element used to support internal case
components like drawers, and to provide internal separation of components. Web frames
still have rails that run horizontally across the case, but the stiles that run
from the front of the case to the back are referred to as runners. These runners
are located between the rails, which is the opposite of face frame construction.
Though the basic frame has two stiles and two rails, more elaborate frames can be
constructed by adding more rails, or additional vertical members called mullions
or muntins.
Horizontal rails and vertical stiles are sometimes embellished with various moldings.
Alternately, vertical stiles can be embellished with various curves, ogees, and
beads to produce a Greco-Roman column appearance.
The following joints are classified as frame joints:
Root > Joints > Frame