Joiners work to create architectural woodwork, doors, windows, stairs etc. Shop and kitchen fitting also fall under the remit of a joiner providing the materials used are wood. In the USA joiners are often create things known as “finish carpentry” or “millwork”. Joiners are more commonly known as carpenters however they are two different professions. Carpenters often create rough pieces which may not be viewed where as joiners are more finite in their skills. Joiners aim to create a piece of furniture without the use of metal or glue to hold the piece together. Instead the wood is used to create joints which will hold over decades and hundreds of years. Different types of joint are; mortise and tenon, dowel joint and pocket-hole.

Even more finite still are the cabinet makers. Famous cabinet makers such as Thomas Chippendale produced original furniture which has not only stood the test of time due to their design but also through the quality of work. Throughout the 1700’s the rich and upper class in Britain would pay for neoclassical and regency style furniture to be custom made for them from the Chippendale workshop.

This still happens today, furniture can be made to measure either for practical uses or to be created as an heirloom. Made to measure furniture, or custom joinery is a thriving industry as the skills of a joiner are being lost as generations chose not to take up the profession. They often specialise in one type of furniture and master their art although most joiners are skilled in making all types of furniture and architectural items.

There are two common types of joinery, European and Japanese. Also the Chinese have been using methods of joinery for seven thousand years which create furniture without glue or nails.