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All pieces are constructed with tried and true techniques. Sound joints are what makes a piece of furniture last. There are a variety of joinery types that are "sound" and suit the piece depending on budget and use. For instance, a hall table or some other "delicate" table would benefit from a mortise and tenon joint. However, if the customer was trying to keep costs down, a pocket hole or doweled joint would be just fine for this piece. You are not going to be standing on a hall table, so as long as the cuts are true and square, the piece will last just as long.
Another tradeoff is possible on drawer construction. A dovetailed joint is the strongest joint possible for a drawer box while also showing off the drawer in the best light. However, with today's superior drawer slides, an interlocking glue joint will last just as long as the dovetail joint. The strength lost by this joint will not be an issue since the drawer slides with a lot less friction than the old wood slides of yesteryear.
Other considerations that can affect the cost of a piece without affecting the quality of the piece depends on whether the piece will be painted or stained. This comes into play on cabinetry in many situations. Face frames can be nailed, pocket hole screwed, or simply glued to their carcasses. If the cabinets are going to be painted, the cost can be lowered by nailing the face frames to the case. Thus eliminating the clamp time for the glue joint. The nail holes can then be filled and painted over with no harm to the final piece.
Some furniture craftsman would sneer at such techniques, but we come from the point of view if it will not suffer the quality of the piece, we do not have a problem doing it to keep the costs lower. However, if the customer wants the "purist" joints on all cases, we have no problem with that as well.
However there are some things that should not be altered. For instance, all bed or dining room table joints should be constructed with mortise and tenon joints entirely. These joints are subjected to high stress and the joint is the only joint that will not fail over time.
All of these issues can be discussed at design time with the customer if the interest is there.
Regardless of the construction techniques, all of our pieces are warranted based on normal use. If anything goes wrong with the piece, or you are not satisfied with the wear of the piece, let us know and give us a chance to repair or replace the piece.
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