Uses

• Tongue-and-groove timber is most commonly used in the construction of hardwood floors. In addition, exterior timber clapboard and interior wall paneling employ this method.
  
  

Installation

• The boards are laid successively, with the tongue of the second board fitting into the groove of the first. Nails can be used to secure the board to the substrate behind, by nailing at a 45-degree angle through each tongue.
  
  

Advantages

• Tongue-and-groove joints produce flush, flat surfaces with no visible nails. The interlocking mechanism restricts excess board movement, resulting in firm stable flooring or cladding.
  
  

Species

• Depending on the application, a range of hardwood and softwood species can be joined using the tongue-and-groove method. Pine, jarrah, oak, maple, walnut and ash are all common hardwood species used for flooring.
  
  

Types of Joints

• When installing wall cladding, boards with additional beading along the edge can be used to cover the tongue-and-groove joint. For thicker materials, multiple tongues and grooves can be used.