Plugs Proud & Plugs Flush

At times, it’s what’s underfoot that matters, the truth your toes touch more than that which is right in front of your face. Today we return to Rosslyn’s icehouse, both within and without, for a quick look at plugs proud and plugs flush.

What in the world, you may wonder, am I referring to? Plugs proud? Plugs flush? Yes and yes.

Let’s start by shifting gears to finish carpentry. Wood plugs are used in finish carpentry to conceal screw holes (as well as holes made for other fasteners) in order to achieve a cohesive, unblemished finish. Plugs are cut from the same species as the wood where they will be installed, and every effort is made to match up the grains of the plug and the installation site. When successfully matched and installed, wood plugs ensure seamless integration with the surrounding woodwork resulting in an aesthetically appealing finish.

Now let’s consider the difference between “plugs proud” and “plugs flush”. If you look above at the second image in this post, you may be able to discern a difference between the four wood plugs on the beech landing tread at the top of the icehouse loft staircase. Top left is an example of a flush plug, but the three others are all proud of the surface they’re plugging. In the flush example, the surface of the plug and the surface of the tread are level. But the proud plugs extend above the surface of the tread. The top right is the bests example of a proud plug.

Now let’s step outside onto the garapa deck on the west side of the icehouse. Consider the two plugs in the picture frame border adjacent to the stone step descending from deck to stone terrace. The upper plug is more discernible than the lower plug in this photograph. Do you see them?

In both the grain has been well matched, but the lower is better camouflaged into the garapa decking. The difference is much evident in this next photograph which clearly demonstrates that one plug (on the right) has been trimmed perfectly flush with the deck. That’s not true with the plug on the left.

When installing plugs a finish carpenter takes especial attention to the alignment and positioning of woodgrain and coloration. After plugs are glued and cured, the finish carpenter trims the proud plugs to the surface of the adjoining wood with a chisel and/or flexible flush-cut saw. A light sanding (in the same direction with the grain) helps everything blend smoothly together.

Once in a while a plug (or even a few plugs) slip through the cracks. Time for a couple of simple, subtle tweaks to perfect these plugs!

Plugs Proud & Plugs Flush

Tuning grain-to-grain,
current conjoined, time to trim,
chisel meets hardwood.