Are finger-jointed panels a cheaper version of the full strip ones?
Not at all. On contrary, producing finger-jointed boards is a more costly process than manufacturing the full strip ones. There are, however, two main reasons for undertaking it. First, by finger jointing, we make use of any piece of wood too short to be used as a continuous lamella. We can eliminate loose knots and other structural imperfections and bind the remaining healthy sections together. The wood is thus used to its full potential and we avoid wasting this precious natural resource. The finger-jointed boards are, therefore, the natural expression of an environmentally conscious approach. Second, the finger jointing process eliminates most of the tensions existing in the wood structure. The resulting finger-jointed board will therefore have a greater dimensional stability than a full strip one. From our own experience, contractors, woodworkers, and individuals rather concerned about reliable structural features, such as solidity and durability, prefer the finger-jointed panels.
