Elm for Joinery

Using Elm in joinery

joinery elm

Elm has been used for traditional joinery work for centuries most likely because it was easily available in the large dimensions required for chair seats, although it is increasingly hard to find.

The colouring of Elm is dull grey/brown which can be darker in larger trees, which makes it a great alternative to the yellow brown of Oak and Chestnut. The grain and texture are coarse and not necessarily straight.

Elm is only slightly durable so care must be taken in the detailing of Elm windows and doors, but it does have good strength properties. It can be difficult to work if not straight grained, flat boards. Elm is also resistant to painting and other treatments but gluing, painting and staining all work well.

Available in Air Dried or Kiln Dried T&T boards, dimensions are relative to the size of Elm logs which make up the raw materials. This can mean lengths up to 4.0m and widths up to 300 or 350mm and 600mm across the heart.

Elm for Joinery

Using Elm in joinery

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