verstek

Verstek is the Dutch term for a miter cut and the corner joint formed when the ends of two pieces are cut at an angle and joined to create a corner. The most common form is the 45-degree verstek, used to produce clean, square corners in picture frames, mouldings, and door casings. For corners that are not right angles, the two cuts are complementary to the desired angle; for example, a 90-degree corner uses two 45-degree cuts.

To produce verstek, the craftsman marks the cut angle with a protractor or angle gauge and then makes the cuts with a miter box and backsaw, a powered miter saw, or a similar tool. A precise fence or stop block helps ensure both pieces receive identical angles. Fitting typically involves dry-fitting, then making fine adjustments before gluing. While glue can form a strong joint, many framers reinforce verstek corners with nails, splines, or dowels for added rigidity, especially in longer or stressed frames.

Applications and considerations: Verstek joints are valued for their appearance and ease of construction, particularly in picture frames and decorative mouldings. However, a simple miter joint is relatively weak in structural loads compared with other joints such as mortise-and-tenon or dowel joints. For high-stress applications, additional reinforcement or alternative joinery may be used, or the frame may be designed to minimize load on the corners.

See also: miter joint, bevel cut, picture frame construction.