Are Joiners a dying breed?
On the face of it, it does appear that there has been a decline in the joinery profession and that as a result there are fewer joiners around. This though is actually far from true, it is only the terms joiners and joinery that are dying out. There are though still regions of the world that use the terms.
In the United States the use of joiners and joinery are rarely used even though the biggest carpentry union, the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America, still retains the terms. Joiners are now more commonly called carpenters, finishing carpenters, mill workers or woodworkers. It is though necessary to distinguish between professional joiners and other woodworkers.
Joiners are generally perceived to a more skilled artisan than a simple carpenter, which is why the term finishing carpenter comes into existence. Carpenters traditionally are dealt with structural work and unfinished wood. Joiners though are woodworkers who make and install finished wood articles, like doors, windows, and flights of stairs at the biggest scale. Professional joiners also work in more intricate joinery areas of kitchen cabinets and wooden fittings.
In the construction industry there has been a gradual demarcation of job roles and now the general term carpenters is used. Most carpenters on a construction site will be able to turn their hand into most areas that would be expected of woodworkers. When specialized work is required then specialized carpenters or professional joiners are called upon. Therefore the term joinery is rarely used on the construction site, and joiners are now more often to be found in workshops, where the name millwork comes from.
Woodworkers when working in workshops will make use of chisels, planes and routers to form the wood. These woodworkers will then use glue or joints to bring the wood together. Highly skilled woodworkers can create really intricate joints that make joins and corners appear seamless.
That isn’t of course to say that joinery is only for professional woodworkers. Many people love to work with wood and it is one of the most popular hobbies around. Many people will potter around with wood, chisels, hammers and glue in an attempt to create a small item for their home, be it a spice rack, or small cabinet. This is perfectly possible for the amateur woodworker to achieve, although chances are it may take a number of years and attempts to create something worthy to be hung on the wall in a kitchen.
For a truly professional finish they professional joiners should be hired. The chances of finding one in the local directory though is slim, at best you might find someone who is classed as a carpenter. Joinery though is a different skill, so if possible find out what work they have done before, whether they have made cabinets or other joinery item.
Joiners are not a dying breed; they have just had their name changed. It is though always possible to distinguish the work of a carpenter from a professional woodworker.
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