How to Spot Quality Joinery: A Guide for Homeowners and Designers
Whether you're a homeowner commissioning a bespoke front door or an interior designer commissioning cabinetry for a renovation, understanding the signs of skilled joinery can save you time, stress, and money in the long run.
At Sutherland Joinery & Boatbuilding, we specialise in traditional and bespoke joinery crafted to the highest standards. In this guide, we break down what to look for when assessing the quality of joinery in furniture, windows, built in cabinets and more.
1. Precision
The most telling mark of quality joinery is the accuracy of its joints.
Tight, seamless joins are a must—there should be no visible gaps.
Traditional methods like dovetail, mortise and tenon, and finger joints are a sign of craftsmanship. These are stronger, longer-lasting, and more attractive than simple butt joints or fasteners. That’s not to say there isn’t a place for modern construction in quality builds, more on that in another post.
The joins should be consistent throughout the piece, indicating a skilled hand and careful planning.
Look closely at drawers, frames, and cabinetry corners as well as for even gaps around and between doors.
2. Consistent Finish and Detailing
A true craftsman will ensure every surface and edge is clean, smooth, and well-finished.
The grain should be sympathetically matched across panels and doors.
Sharp edges are usually eased slightly to prevent chipping and splintering over time.
Paint or varnish should be even and clean, with no drips, brush marks, or bare spots.
In heritage joinery, period-accurate detailing such as mouldings, beads, and sashes should reflect the original style—not just mimic it.
3. Symmetry and Proportion
Whether it's a simple shaker door or a decorative fireplace surround, good joinery balances proportion and layout.
Panels and frames should be aligned and evenly spaced.
Openings like drawers and cabinet doors should be square and even, not skewed, and operate smoothly.
In bespoke projects, pieces should be tailored to the space, avoiding excessive filler panels or irregular gaps.
It’s this attention to proportion that gives a room elegance and cohesion.
4. Hardware and Functionality
No matter how beautiful the woodwork is, functionality should never be compromised.
Hinges and runners should be smooth, strong, and correctly aligned.
Drawer slides should extend fully without sticking.
Cabinet doors should close flush with minimal force and remain aligned over time.
In quality joinery, hardware is carefully chosen not only for performance, but also to complement the style of the piece.
5. Material Selection
Quality starts with what you can't always see at first glance: the timber itself.
Look for solid hardwoods or high-quality veneered plywood for structural elements.
Grain should be tight and consistent, with no signs of warping or excessive knots.
All materials should be sustainably sourced
At Sutherland Joinery, we select materials based on durability, aesthetics, and environmental responsibility.
6. Bespoke Details
Small details can add a lot to a design without giving it an overpowering feel of obnoxious grandeur. We like to consider some of the following:
Custom profiles and mouldings
Design integration with existing architecture
Thoughtful problem-solving in tight or awkward spaces
This level of detail is what transforms a standard kitchen into something more special, or a simple window frame into a heritage feature.
Why It Matters
Poor-quality joinery may look acceptable on the surface but often warps, rots, or fails within a few years. It is especially important with external joinery to have a high level of understanding of how the weather may affect the piece and how this can be mitigated. Quality joinery is an investment—it improves the feel of your space, increases property value, and will serve you well for decades.
Final Thoughts
Whether you’re renovating a Georgian townhouse, commissioning new wardrobes for a modern home, or designing a yacht interior, knowing how to spot quality joinery gives you confidence in your decisions and results to be proud of.
At Sutherland Joinery & Boatbuilding, we take pride in delivering craftsmanship that’s as functional as it is beautiful. Every cut, joint, and finish is made to last.
Thinking about your next project?
Contact us to discuss bespoke solutions, material choices, or get a quote tailored to your vision.
