All four of the screen doors at Heartwood are made with half-lap
joints. I used that joinery design because it is far easier to make
compared to mortise and tenon and obviously stronger than doweling.
Call me lazy.
So I was happy for hearing my brother tell me that an article in one
of his woodworking magazines did a research test on the various
joining methods, including the above and biscuits, and found that the
half-lap joint is the strongest.
If anyone has ever tried to take apart a half-lap joint, they will nod
in agreement. Modern glue well applied results in a joint that if
wrenched apart will rip wood from opposing sides.
I have been happy with the screen doors, two of cedar, one pine, one
cherry. Door joints take a helluva beating; they are stressed each
time a door is slammed and no doors are more regularly slammed than
screen doors. I know I am not alone in enjoying the sound. If the door
maker is clever and fine tunes, there will be a double slap, first
loud then gentle, when a screen door let go at it widest opening.
Whee! Here I come, world!
The only criticism one might make of the half-lap is that end grain is
exposed. Beauty being in the eye of the admirer, aesthetics is a
personal judgement. As for me, I find exposed construction to be
beautiful.