Joiners work with wood to create furniture, cabinets, and window frames using traditional techniques that rely on pegs and tenons. The distinction between joiners and carpenters is not always clear, and the term “woodworker” can refer to someone who creates jointed objects or finely detailed work. Woodworking has a long history in cultures around the world, with the modern trade originating in Medieval Europe. In the UK, joinery is divided into bench and onsite specializations, while in the US, the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Woodworkers of America no longer considers woodworking one of their trades.
A joiner is a craftsman who works with wood. Over the years, the precise meaning of the term has changed, and its usage is not always consistent. The distinction between a joiner and a carpenter is not always clear. In some cases, the term “woodworker” refers to someone who creates objects that fit together with joints rather than nails, while sometimes it refers to a woodworker who produces finely detailed work, with or without nails.
In traditional joinery, wooden items such as furniture, chests, cabinets and window frames are created such that pegs and tenons fit together to form a tight, tight joint. This technique originates from the medieval period, when wooden objects were constructed without expensive iron nails. Traditional joinery techniques are still widely regarded as a sign of quality in home furnishing.
Woodworking is one of many wood crafts with traditions going back centuries. Cultures around the world have used woodworking techniques to create furniture and other objects out of wood. Traditional Chinese woodworkers are known to use carpentry to produce strong yet elegant chairs, tables and chests. The origins of the modern woodworking trade, however, lie in Medieval Europe.
The term “cabinet maker” originated in the 14th century, coming from English into French. The word derives from the French for “to join” and initially referred to a carpenter who did lighter work, usually specializing in ornaments. In American English, the term is rarely used, although some names preserve older usage. The main woodworking union in the United States in the early 21st century is the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Woodworkers of America (UBC), founded in 1881, but woodworking is no longer considered one of their trades. UBC uses the older definition of a cabinetmaker as a craftsman who works without nails.
In the United Kingdom, where the term is more widely used, the craft is generally divided into two specialisations. Bench joinery is the creation of wooden components in a workshop environment, while onsite joinery and carpentry handles the assembly and installation of wooden components at the construction site. In general terms, site carpentry refers to the creation of wooden structures, while joinery refers to the assembly of smaller wooden components such as windows, stairs, shelves and doors. Woodworking is another aspect of woodworking. Although glazing, the installation of window glass, is a separate craft, some woodworking companies have expanded from simply creating frames to installing complete windows.
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