Take a second and think about how much your drawers hold each day. Whether it’s kitchen utensils or clothes, drawers are tasked with storing many of our everyday items. That’s why strength matters so much when you’re choosing the right drawer for your project.
Drawer box construction is one of the most important factors in determining how well a drawer holds up over time. In this article, we’ll show you how dovetail and standard drawer construction differ and how it impacts a drawer’s durability. You’ll learn the key differences as well as the benefits and limitations of each type, so you can choose the right drawer construction method for your project.
Let’s take a closer look at dovetail drawer versus standard cabinet drawer construction.
Dovetail drawers get their name from the type of joint that connects the sides with the front and back of the drawer. The angle of the interlocking “tails” and “pins” mimics the look of a triangular dovetail, thus the name. For centuries, these joints were cut by hand with saws and chisels, but today’s modern tools make dovetail drawer construction easier, faster, and more consistent. Dovetail joints can be close together or farther apart, depending on the design and strength requirements, and the angle can vary as well.
Standard drawers use butt joints or rabbetted joints that are glued and nailed together to connect the sides of the drawer. This means that standard drawers are faster and easier to build, but they aren’t as durable as dovetail drawers. Standard drawers are best suited for lighter applications, such as office desks.
Dovetail drawers and standard drawers have a few key differences, and the table below compares dovetail vs standard drawers across a few different categories.
|
|
Dovetail |
Standard |
|
Joint type |
Dovetail |
Butt, rabbetted |
|
Load capacity |
Supports larger loads |
Less ability to handle large loads |
|
Typical lead times |
Longer lead times than standard due to more time-consuming construction process. |
Shorter lead time due to simple construction |
|
Maintenance |
Little maintenance needed as joints are glued and interlocking |
Maintenance needed to repair weak joints or corners that split under heavy loads. |
|
Material |
Hardwoods, quality plywood, melamine |
Plywood, MDF, less expensive hardwoods |
|
Advantages |
Highly durable with high tensile strength. More surface area for glue. Design that showcases craftsmanship. |
Faster production speed. Less expensive than dovetail drawers. |
Above all, dovetail joints have incredible joint stability. This strength gives dovetail drawers superior longevity compared to standard drawers, helping them resist wear and tear and last for years without becoming weak or loose.
The superior joint construction of dovetail drawers also offers an unexpected benefit. Because much of the strength comes from the joint itself rather than the thickness of the material, dovetail drawers can be made with thinner materials than standard drawers without sacrificing durability.
In addition to joint strength, dovetail drawers are made with the finest grain hardwoods. This drawer construction technique remains the gold standard for creating a highly durable, dependable drawer with superior load capacity compared to standard drawers that are held together with glue and nails. These drawers also offer crisp drawer operation and a beautiful look.
Because the joints in standard drawer construction are weaker than dovetail joints, the biggest limitation to this type of drawer is that there’s a greater chance they will fail over time. Dovetail drawers also have a few drawbacks, and in some situations, a standard drawer may be the right choice.
Dovetail drawer construction is very secure, but it takes more time to cut and assemble the pieces than with standard drawers. This adds to their strength, but it also adds to their cost. If you’re choosing drawers for applications that won’t need to be very sturdy, for instance, a desk drawer that will primarily hold a few office supplies, and are on a tighter budget, standard drawer construction may be fine.
Every project has its own budget, design, finish requirements, drawer slide types, and uses, and choosing the right drawer construction will help you meet all of the project’s needs. For projects with a larger budget or expected uses that require a heavier-duty drawer, dovetail drawers are definitely the way to go. High-end cabinet designs also benefit from the beauty and durability of dovetail drawers.
While some dovetail drawer manufacturers may have longer lead times, Eagle Woodworking is proud to offer fast lead times on all drawer projects. We understand how vital project deadlines are, so our drawer projects have 1-2 week lead times. Never miss your installation date again, thanks to our reliable lead times.
Explore our dovetail drawers to learn more.
Dovetail drawers are a good choice for high-end projects or projects with high-use cabinets. Quality custom dovetail drawers are a great option for projects where craftsmanship will be at the forefront, or the cabinets will see frequent use.
Dovetail drawer construction is more complex than standard drawer construction, but Eagle Woodworking specializes in manufacturing these drawers and offers 1 to 2 week lead times for our hand-finished dovetail drawers. If you keep this in mind when mapping out your project timeline, you can order the drawers you need a few weeks ahead of dovetail drawer installation, and they’ll be ready when you are.
Because of the craftsmanship involved in dovetail drawer construction, they typically cost more than standard drawers, but they will last longer and look better, balancing out any price increase.
You can use a few reinforcement techniques to help standard drawers come closer to dovetail drawer durability. Using corner brackets or glued rabbets will provide additional strength, though it may still not match the strength of dovetail drawers.
Choosing the finest-grade wood types, like maple, white oak, and walnut, adds greater durability and beauty to each dovetail drawer. Hardwoods are ideal for resisting scratches and dents, which is perfect for drawers in high-traffic areas that will see a lot of use.