Screen door and joinery

Mortise and Tenon joints are very strong. That said, any door is going to take a lot of twisting and racking. A screen door is pretty much an empty frame and will probably be even more likely to have this happen.

The dowels will go a long way in making sure everything stays together.

Lew gives great advice! I think the extra effort will give you a nice look too. Nothing beats the hand-crafted look.

-- Randy, Tupelo, MS ~ May I become more like the Master Carpenter every day.

If the choice is between dowels and M&T no contest go with M&T it might make it easier if you use loose tenons it cuts down on set up and I believe it’s stronger than intergral tenons.

-- Jim from Heirloom Woodshop, custom furniture ,maker, woodworking school, heirloomwoodshop.com

I’d go with galvanized nails with your nail gun. Which are technically miniature steel dowels and much less hassle.

-- miles125, Alabama.."Architecture is frozen music""

I would peg at least the 4 corners, stiffing those up will limit the stress on the internal parts.

Where did you get the plans from? I’ve been thinking about building one myself.