According to Merriam Webster, a dowel is a “peg of wood, metal, or plastic without a distinct head, used for holding together components of a structure.”

Timber dowels from Porta are much more than that.

Handrails and curtain rails are amongst the most common uses for dowels but they're certainly not the only way to include them as part of a DIY project.

If you require renovation inspiration, Porta dowels can help bring your vision to life.

They can create additional texture, depth, and warmth, whilst allowing your imagination to run wild.

It is this versatility, combined with your creative juices, that make dowels a winning feature for many homes.

Biophilic Design

Biophilic design embraces the notion that incorporating aspects of nature – such as plants and natural light – into architectural design has a positive effect on humans.

It is believed to improve both physical and mental health and well-being. With 86 per cent of Australia's population living in urban areas, biophilic design is the best solution for integrating nature into any habitat.

Timber plays a major role in biophilic design. Seeing its grain evokes feelings of being in a forest, which is shown to reduce stress levels. Studies support the use of timber to reduce autonomic stress responses in humans, making it a preferred material for biophilic design.

Timber manufacturers design dowels to complement biophilic design.

Timber battens are commonly used to raise the surface of a material or as a secondary framework and can also be used to create unique DIY furniture ideas. When paired together, battens and dowels work in unison to pull off almost any design you can conceive.

Dowel Projects

At Porta, we have helped create fresh and contemporary designs with biophilic aspects for several clients using our timber dowels.

Our team of design experts was tasked with a vision for Hella Good, an offshoot of Melbourne staple Stalactites. Hella Good needed its own fresh and contemporary identity, whilst paying homage to the Greek legend that inspired it.

One of the ways we invoked thoughts of Stalactites at Hella Good was by recreating the famous ceiling in its parent restaurant. Hundreds of metres of timber dowel in varying lengths and diameters were used to create the abstract feature.

Other creative ways we used timber dowel in this project:
- Tasmanian Oak timber and dowel were paired to create a wall extending up to the ceiling.
- High eating tables and stools were constructed of timber dowel.

A total of 3,000 dowels were installed as part of the design. The result was a fresh, stylish, and appealing “cave” atmosphere that allows guests to connect with nature whilst enjoying a delightful meal.

While it may be a bit more than the average DIYer needs, it serves as an inspiration for how dowels can be used.

DIY Inspo

One idea for incorporating dowels into a DIY furniture project is to create a headboard from half-dowel rounds. The project uses 30 x 2.4 lengths of 30mm Porta Dowel Half Round in Tasmanian Oak and 2 x 30mm one-quarter Round Dowel in Tasmanian Oak.

Porta is your timber dowel supplier in Australia. Our timber dowel specialists can help you select the right dowel for your project.