External joinery mortice and Tenon methods which lasts longest query

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deema

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Being a bit of a traditionalis, I’ve always made my & M&T joints such that the meeting faces where a ‘perfect fit’, and once together we’re are as far as possible invisible. However, that leaves a sharp corner, at the transition between the long and shirt grain, ie on the edge of the cheeks of the tenons. Paint doesnt stick to sharp corners and over time, the joint can open up at the edge, water get in and it starts to rot. However, the modern way seems to be to add a round over to all edges, such that when the joint comes together there is a v grove at the intersection. This then has v groove protector placed over it which both seals the end grain and also helps to reduce the size of the v groove. There is no sharp corner and the paint / finish will adhere properly. I can see that in theory his is a better way of making the tenon for external applications, but it relies heavily on the v groove protector / filler to keep the end grain dry.

I don’t really like the look of the joint with a v groove, but that’s just personal choice. I have no experience of the longevity of M&Ts made this way, does anyone else have, what’s the view? Old way or new way, which creates external joinery that lasts the longest?

This is the uTube thats got me wondering

 
The old ways produce longest lasting - obviously or they wouldn't still be here to look at.
For windows most common was normal wedge M&Ts, often plus 1/4" pegs through close to the join line, to keep it tightest at the line. But proper maintenance is the biggest issue
 
The old ways produce longest lasting - obviously or they wouldn't still be here to look at.
For windows most common was normal wedge M&Ts, often plus 1/4" pegs through close to the join line, to keep it tightest at the line. But proper maintenance is the biggest issue
Proper maintainance...they swear they'll do it, but so much easier to blame the fella that made 'em.
 
I used to think the sign of quality joinery was crisp corners and invisible joints and this is what I always aimed for.

As you say these days it's all radiused corners and V joints, I prefer the traditional look but the modern way does make sense as paint doesn't stick to sharp corners.

All my external joinery now gets a 3mm radius but I don't do it on the joints for the filler stuff yet. I have been using the Teknos end grain sealer for a while which seems quite good,

I think @RobinBHM used to promote the filling the joint method in the past?
 
I do see a bit or rounded corners in joints, but apart from the video not found anyone in my travels that actually does it. Everyday being a school day, I’d love to know if it’s a step up and inwards for widow longevity.
 
I do see a bit or rounded corners in joints, but apart from the video not found anyone in my travels that actually does it. Everyday being a school day, I’d love to know if it’s a step up and inwards for widow longevity.

It is principally part of a design condition for manufactures and forms part of their warranty and service life planning, as generally they are members of the Wood Window Alliance, which has, as well as implementing BS standards, its own specifications that its members have to follow, Jeldwen for example.

"Accoya" also include detailing elements in their "approved user" specifications.
 
That’s really interesting HOJ, I’ve had a scout around both the Accoya and the Wood Window Alliance, and regrettably (it may be my poor searching) they don’t make public their required standards. I find that rather interesting, as the public can’t actual as a consequence determine if a member has made a product to the standard of the body. I can’t see much if any value as a consequence of the membership, a slight aside, but what am I missing. A yardstick to me is only as good as the measurement it allows you to make, one with no measurement reference is just a stick.
 
the timber window industry seems like a mish mash of techniques none seem to be tested for longevity or durability beyond seeming to make sense.
surely when making stuff with accoya isn't it a moot point. it's gonna last anyway. more interesting would be using those products with say red deal. how would that impact on its durability?
ejma designed a window that was tested to be superior( although it looked naff)
the scandis designed the hp window using friction stays etc. but none addresses the issue of longevity in non durable species by designing out traps and complete painting.
 
I don’t really like the look of the joint with a v groove, but that’s just personal choice. I have no experience of the longevity of M&Ts made this way, does anyone else have, what’s the view? Old way or new way, which creates external joinery that lasts the longest

I spent many years evolving my joinery methods and a V groove at the joints is massively important for longevity of paint.

door and sash rails expand and contract, cracking paint across the joint. With a V groove formed by 2 pencil rounds, there is a full paint film thickness.
I used to use V joint filler, but in fact end grain sealer is fine.


Every sharp edge externally should be avoided, so the same thing applies to edges of sash and frame. Also cill groove where there is an external plant on cill.


Joinery paint suppliers like Teknos, Remmers, Sikkens etc will provide technical advice on joinery detailing for paint.


Every large joinery manufacturer, without exception will do V joints.



Some joinery paints like Teknos are formulated to be pretty soft and will be more resistant to joint cracking than others, like Sigma. But they will all fail at some point.
 
getting decent wood is the first problem......
I buy my wood, well the best I can get and store it for at least 6-10months in a covered airy shed, with no sunlight on the wood.....
I used a Sikkens product that was something like oil but dried like varnish...with a slight stain....
just a quick scratch with a Scotch brite type pad and it could be repainted.....
it soaked in really well....all my stuff got at least 3 coats before fitting and another one to cover the finger marks etc once fitted......
It was also excellent when it came to UV damage.....
Unfortunatley I cant buy it here.....but I use something similar but needs recoating every 3-4 years for that fresh look.....
most of my wood stuff suffers extremes of UV and heat with 50degC in direct sun all day for at least 20 weeks.....and it works better than paint......
 
I spent many years evolving my joinery methods and a V groove at the joints is massively important for longevity of paint.

door and sash rails expand and contract, cracking paint across the joint. With a V groove formed by 2 pencil rounds, there is a full paint film thickness.
I used to use V joint filler, but in fact end grain sealer is fine.


Every sharp edge externally should be avoided, so the same thing applies to edges of sash and frame. Also cill groove where there is an external plant on cill.


Joinery paint suppliers like Teknos, Remmers, Sikkens etc will provide technical advice on joinery detailing for paint.


Every large joinery manufacturer, without exception will do V joints.



Some joinery paints like Teknos are formulated to be pretty soft and will be more resistant to joint cracking than others, like Sigma. But they will all fail at some point.
Hadn’t realised that it was an actual pencil round into a V, that’s quite pronounced but I’m sure it does the job, I learnt many years ago not to have sharp edges on outdoor paint work.
I was referring to the sort of V's you get on interior furniture – which cover a multitude of sins. Ian
 
Hadn’t realised that it was an actual pencil round into a V, that’s quite pronounced but I’m sure it does the job, I learnt many years ago not to have sharp edges on outdoor paint work.
I was referring to the sort of V's you get on interior furniture – which cover a multitude of sins. Ian

The window tooling by people like whitehill has the option of including a pencil round on the profile and scribe cutters.


On internal furniture, like shaker doors I’ve done it both with and without. If a small chamfer is run along the edges before assembly, then doing it on the tenons is the only option. Done well I think it looks ok.
 
Is any of this covered by the latest BSI standards for wooden windows and doors? It is many years ago I read through them, and don’t have a copy of the latest version of the standards? I’ve been through the data sheets / technical stuff on Sikkins web site and didn’t find anything about surfaces, I have to say, it may just be me, but I’m finding this very interesting.
 
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I'm also interested being at the stage of making a number of windows having the tackle and the understanding but not really having a proven model to work from( except 100 year old texts)
so many varied approaches its hard to know what's best tbh. one thing I am certain of is wooden windows that look like upvc are largely pointless.( introducing maintenance into an otherwise maintenance free schedule with little discernable aesthetic advantage.
 
one thing I am certain of is wooden windows that look like upvc are largely pointless.( introducing maintenance into an otherwise maintenance free schedule with little discernable aesthetic advantage.

There are a couple of houses I work at which have had Accoya doors and windows fitted, the quality is excellent but the spray finish is so good they certainly don't look like wood. One of the front doors has been on about 3 years and it doesn't look any different to the day it was fitted which I guess is a good thing.

Keep it quiet but I have just had 2 PVC windows fitted at my mothers house, they are in a flush casement style (called R7's if anyone interested) and finished in a grey colour, they are really nice and actually look more like wooden windows than some wooden ones I have seen 🙄
 
I think unless we make a large investment its impossible to compete with a proper window specialist. they are really fast. I rely on giving an all round service especially on older house. ie repairs before Xmas i was reproducing a large cyma recta moulding and sham timber frame for around an arts and crafts house involving adzework hollows and rounds leadworking fitting cast guttering etc etc.
joiners up the road make mostly windows and doors including insulated panels. not trad stuff more high performance. lovely stuff and it goes all over the country.
 
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