What is a Mortise and Tenon

Mortise and tenon refers to a type of joint made up of two components:the mortise and the tenon. The mortise refers to the hole or slot, and the tenon portion of the joint refers to a peg which is inserted into the mortise. These pieces can then be joined using a wood glue during the assembly process.

Standard Mortise and Tenon joints will connect pieces at a 90 degree angle, but there are custom angles and variations possible from this joint type. After the pieces are correctly sized and fitted, the glue is applied to allow the pieces to dry. Occasionally, a mortise and tenon joint will incorporate an added nail or screw for added security.