Reinforcing joints thumb|A countersunk doweled joint Dowel: A small rod is used internal to a joint both to help align and to strengthen the joint. Traditional joints such as butt joints are used with natural timbers as they do not need materials other than the timber itself. Dowel joints are also useful for pegging together weaker, cheaper composite materials such as laminate-faced chipboard, and where limited woodworking tools are available (since only simple drilled holes are needed to take the dowels). The wood species of a dowel may be different from the overall piece to balance strength with cost, and some joinery may leave a dowel end visible as part of the piece's design.
Reinforcing joints thumb|A countersunk doweled joint Dowel: A small rod is used internal to a joint both to help align and to strengthen the joint. Traditional joints such as butt joints are used with natural timbers as they do not need materials other than the timber itself. Dowel joints are also useful for pegging together weaker, cheaper composite materials such as laminate-faced chipboard, and where limited woodworking tools are available (since only simple drilled holes are needed to take the dowels). The wood species of a dowel may be different from the overall piece to balance strength with cost, and some joinery may leave a dowel end visible as part of the piece's design.