Do you think all kitchen drawers are made alike? Well, think again! Dovetail drawers offer many benefits that regular drawers can’t match.
Continue reading to find out just what these benefits are!
What Are Dovetail Drawers
Dovetail drawers require a different type of construction than standard kitchen drawers and are usually regarded as a higher-quality drawer option for homeowners.
The difference between dovetail drawers and other more-traditionally constructed drawers lies in the type of joint used in dovetail drawers.
The type of joint constructed for dovetail drawers is called a ‘locking joint’. The dovetail ‘locking joint’ is built from wedge-shaped channels cut into the wood that interlock with one another from either side of the drawer, creating a box.
The wedge-shaped pieces are called ‘tails’ and ‘pins’. Once the two sides are assembled, they provide a very strong joint that is quite resistant to force.
The dovetail joint is so strong that oftentimes, when a drawer breaks, it is not at the point of the joint.
Not only is the ‘locking joint’ itself strong, but its surface is large enough to offer a considerable area for gluing. Glue is stronger than wood; therefore, the more space available for gluing allows for an even stronger drawer box.
Due to the construction of the joint, dovetail drawers also offer the largest storage space. British dovetail drawers, which we have been talking about, allow for the largest possible drawer, regardless of the type of furniture.
French dovetail drawers are a proper choice for specialty furniture, like pieces with curved fronts. Joints on French dovetail drawers are constructed slightly differently, with the drawer side sliding upward into a long groove at the drawer’s front.
The advantages of dovetail drawers are in the construction of their joints. They offer a more substantial drawer with a larger holding capacity.
While these drawers are often associated with higher quality, this is not always the case. There are many options for drawer construction, and picking the correct drawers for your kitchen cabinets should include strength and storage.
