Tip for Gluing-up a Solid Wood Frame & Panel
Stub tenon and groove joinery and frame and panel construction are pretty common — we use them all the time. But when the panels are made from solid wood, it adds a whole new twist.
The biggest thing to remember is that the solid wood panels will expand and contract across their width with changes in humidity. To prevent the frames from breaking apart when this happens, I cut the panels a bit narrower (1⁄8") than the opening. This gives them a little room to move.
This also means the panels can’t be glued into the grooves. Instead, they’ll need to float. But that poses a problem for keeping a consistent reveal on the panels. To overcome this problem, I held the panels in place with a centered dab of glue at the top and bottom. This will keep the panel centered while still allowing it to expand and contract. Note: The white areas in the illustration show where glue should be applied.