What Is Finger-Jointed Lumber?
What Is Finger-Jointed Lumber?
Finger-jointed lumber is an engineered wood product made from scraps of wood. The scraps are cut into short lengths, the ends are then “finger-jointed” together to form a longer and stronger piece of wood.
This type of potentially waste reducing manufacturing process can be beneficial for the environment and it can also result in a stable, strong product that is less prone to warping, shrinking or cracking than solid wood as well as being easier to work with.
Finger-jointed lumber can be used for a wide range of applications such as furniture making, door frames, window frames and other carpentry projects.
What Are The Advantages Of Finger-Jointed Lumber?
Finger-jointed lumber offers a number of advantages when compared to traditional lumber. It is much less prone to warping and twisting, providing a more consistent level of quality than regular lumber.
It also allows for longer lengths of the same wood species in shorter lengths, making it ideal for use in long staircases or beams that need to span large distances.
Additionally, finger-jointed lumber can be produced with fewer knots and slivers than regular lumber due to its process of gluing together smaller pieces which reduces waste and provides a smoother finish.
What Are The Disadvantages Of Finger-Jointed Lumber?
Finger-jointed lumber has its disadvantages too.
- While it is strong and versatile, the joints can come apart over time due to weathering or moisture infiltration.
- In addition, the glue used for finger-jointed lumber is not waterproof, so if the material comes into contact with water, it may weaken the joint.
- Some people are also concerned about off-gassing from some of the glues used in finger-jointed lumber construction.
- There can also be a significant price difference between solid wood and finger-jointed wood as well.
Is Finger-Jointed Lumber Stronger?
Finger-jointed lumber is made by laminating together pieces of wood that have been cut with interlocking fingers.
It is usually used for doors, frames and mouldings, as it offers greater stability than standard wood due to its increased joint strength.
Depending on the type of finger-jointing used, the strength of the joint can vary from very weak to remarkably strong.
On average, finger-jointed lumber will be slightly stronger than traditional lumber when it comes to resistance to bending and pulling apart due to its use of multiple joints for added strength.
However, when it comes to shear force or cutting applications, conventional lumber is often preferable due to its superior ability in these areas.
What Are The Two Types Of Finger-Jointed Lumber?
Finger-jointed lumber, also known as jointed timber, is a type of wood that has been cut into various lengths and then joined together using a finger joint.
There are two main types of finger-jointed lumber: edge-glued finger joints and end-glued finger joints.
Edge-glued finger joints involve cutting the wood pieces along the edges and then gluing them together at an angle to form long boards.
End-glued finger joints involve cutting both ends of the lumber pieces at a 45 degree angle and then joining them side by side with an adhesive or mechanical fastener such as nails or screws.
Both types of finger jointed lumber offer strength, stability and cheaper prices than solid lumber due to their reduced material waste.
