Tongue and groove joint
Contents |
[edit] Introduction
An edge-to-edge, tongue and groove joint (also referred to as T&G, tongue & groove, tongue-in-groove or tongued and grooved) is a carpentry term used to describe materials that join together in a specific manner described below.
[edit] Joining technique
The locking mechanism is made with a tongue (male) ridge projection on one edge and a matching groove (female) slot recession on the other edge. The tongue of one piece fits into the groove of the corresponding piece to form a strong, flush joint that may be glued in place if a permanent joint is required.
There are also loose tongue and groove joints. This technique is used on materials that are given grooves on facing edges and joined with a separate (or loose) piece of material that fits between the two and locks them together. Again, glue is often used to secure the joint.
Tongue and groove joints are variations on the mortise and tenon joint, but instead of joining two pieces at a right angle (like a mortise and tenon joint), the tongue and groove connection creates a strong, smooth parallel joint.
[edit] Common applications
This traditional fitting method is often used on natural materials (such as timber or cork), but it can also apply to artificial materials (such as plastic, vinyl or engineered timber). It was once commonly used for flooring and furniture joinery, but other methods have now become widely used.
Tongue and groove treatments can also be used on interior walls such as floor to ceiling timber panels, moulding or wainscoting. Wainscoting is a type of wall panel that is both functional and decorative. It was historically made from timber, but it is now available in other materials. Wainscoting is typically found on the lower portion of an interior wall.
It can also be used as cladding on a building’s exterior surface. The term 'cladding' refers to components that are attached to the primary structure of a building to form non-structural, external surfaces. This is as opposed to buildings in which the external surfaces are formed by structural elements, such as masonry walls, or applied surfaces such as render.
The tongue and groove connection method is the basic concept behind Tongue Larssen interlocking sheets of metal used to create protective retaining walls. These sheet piles can have beneficial driving qualities and provide a strong, close-fitting joint to form an effective water seal because of their uniform section shape. Tongue Larssen sheet piles can be used for water control purposes, such as coastal protection, tide control, flood barriers and so on.
[edit] Advantages and disadvantages
In addition to their smooth appearance and strong bond, tongue and groove joints can be fairly easy to fabricate and instal without causing damage to the edges when they are fitted together. For flooring installations, the tongue and groove technique is suitable for floating floors and is commonly incorporated into click and lock flooring installations. However, unlike basic tongue and groove flooring, click lock flooring joins at the interlocking edge and then gets snapped into place through the application of firm, downward pressure.
In any type of installation, tongue and groove joints can be difficult to disassemble or repair once the glue has set between the panels.
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
Featured articles and news
Can your business afford to ignore mental well-being?
£70 - 100 billion annually in UK construction sector.
Mental health in the construction industry
World Mental Health Day 10 October.
Construction awards provide relief in wake of ISG collapse
Spike in major infrastructure awards, housing up but short of targets, are ISG collapse impacts yet to come.
Biodiversity net gain with related updates and terms
Only 0.5% of applications subject to BNG in the context significant proposed changes to planning.
As political power has shifted from blue to red
Has planning now moved from brown to green?
The role of construction in tackling the biodiversity crisis
New CIOB Nature of Building digital series available now.
The Nature Towns and Cities initiative
Grants of up to 1 million for local councils and partners.
The continued ISG fall out October updates
Where to look for answers to frequently asked questions.
Building safety remediation programme for Wales
With 2024 October progress updates.
In major support package for small businesses.
Conservation and transformation
Reading Ruskin’s cultural heritage. Book review.
Renovating Union Chain Bridge.
AI tools for planning, design, construction and management
A long, continually expanding list, any more to add?
Robots in the construction industry
From cultural characterisations to construction sites.
Empowering construction with AI integration
New horizons with a human touch.
Key AI related terms to be aware of
With explanations from the UK government.