Frame and Panel Construction

Many of the Amish Craftsmen that build our furniture use a woodworking technique that is called frame and panel.

This technique adds an attractive detail to doors and sides of our case goods. A panel is cut that “floats” inside a frame. This allows for expansion and contraction which reduces that possibility of the wood splitting or warping.

The basic frame and panel construction consists of two rails, two stiles and the panel. The vertical parts of the frame are called stiles and the horizontal parts are called rails. The panel portion is tapered and fits in to groves that are rabbited into the frame.

The panels are usually made as a raised panel where the panel surface is flush with the frame or are made as flat panels that give the piece an inset appearance.