There might be several ways to go, depending on the desired artistic effect. 1) Mortise-and-tenon everything. 2) If the lintel extends past the outermost posts, you might notch the lintel in four places to accept the posts. This can be either square notches or V-notches or even semicircular, depending on what kind of saws so have and how deep they can cut. Sounds like a fun project.

And it brings back a memory. Our family home had a front door with sidelights about the size of yours. One Christmas the four kids got together and had a pair of custom stained-glass sidelights made to replace the plain panes.

You say simulated timber looking....does that mean you are not using square timbers, but are using Oak planks to look like square timbers? If square timbers, mortise and tenon is great, but a job for experienced professionals. You can waste a lot of good lumber learning. If you make a mistake, you can't put the wood back....Oak is expensive!

For a nice trim job, check magazines and such for ideas. I can imagine a lot of good looks, you have to find the one to match the rest of your house. Can't have a Colonial frame in a Tudor house, if you know what I mean. Even the finish is important...there's rough sawn, antique, distressed, smooth and varnished, see what I mean?

I love Oak, it's beautiful wood. Smooth and varnished, with the joints slightly set in....

You would be better off posting this question in a woodworkinf forum like wood on-line. Plenty of wood experts there.

You find this very interesting

Hi,

You have had some good direction and advice in the previous posts. As stated previously , a lot depends on the theme or existing look of the rest of the house. I have been a carpenter for over 30 years in Florida and have had the opportunity to work on projects ranging from historic mansions to labor shanties. I'm just an average carpenter but from observing over the years, I have acquired a sense for what looks right. The most difficult thing is getting additions or modifications to look like they "belong" , in other words look like an integral part of the structure.

Having said that , one look that I have seen used successfully with many variations, is a butt joint with the edges and ends relieved or eased ( slightly rounded over). This can be accomplished with a router/round over bit or even sandpaper held in the palm of the hand.This can be combined with contrasting color pegs, square or round.

I suggest that find a Master Carpenter in your local area who specializes in Mortise & Tendon joint construction, which is an art upon itself and learned over a period of years.. It's very difficult to duplicate if you have never done this type of work before. Additionally, you need to employ some very specialized and expensive hand tools, especially a whole bunch of very finely sharpened wood chisels!

Normally I cheer on the DIYer wanting to try on new things, but in this case do yourself a big favor and save some money, material, time and a ton headaches buy letting a true Craftsman do the work for you. Perhaps, he or she may be willing to teach you some of the craft!!!!

Good luck, and let us know how you made out, okay?

Most door frames have 4no. mortise & tenon joints in them. The horns are simply cut off to suit the intended length of the lintel and of the threshold when the frame is installed in the doorway aperture.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Post-and-beam