Custom wood design is all around you. In fact, well-crafted woodwork is one of those design elements that never really goes out of style.
You may see woodwork – aka millwork – the moment you enter someone’s home, a retail store or a doctor’s office. And if you spend any time online, you’ve likely noticed architectural woodworking trends in storefront designs for all kinds of businesses.
That’s because wood offers a versatile and beautiful way to build and embellish the world around us — and it has for centuries.
But where does all this woodwork come from? Are there specialty wood carpenters who create and construct the custom wood design we see everywhere? Is there a difference between carpentry and architectural woodworking?
We’re glad you asked! Mock Woodworking is an architectural woodworking company that’s been elevating homes and businesses with wood since the 1950s.
Firms like ours are responsible for creating the woodwork you see in commercial buildings and residences. The work we call architectural woodworking refers to any custom-made wood products found in a building’s interior or exterior, like doors, flooring, shelves, tables, wall paneling and more.
If that all sounds like carpentry, you’re right! There’s a lot of overlap between carpentry and architectural woodworking – but they’re not exactly the same thing.
To help you understand the distinction between these roles, we’ve broken down the differences between a wood carpenter’s work and what an architectural woodworking company does. This differentiation makes it easier to see how Mock Woodworking brings to life the vision homeowners and business owners have for their spaces.
The Main Difference Between Woodworking & Carpentry
All custom wood design requires expertise, creativity and skill. And all craftspeople who contribute to a custom wood product have reverence for our medium and spend years honing the ability to shape it.
The main difference between woodworkers and carpenters boils down to the purpose and scope of their creations. Let’s look at each one:
Architectural Woodworking
Think of architectural woodworking as the “big picture” focus of a project. This occupation encompasses elements of several fields, including architecture, construction, engineering and design. It’s a highly artistic and creative pursuit that involves high-level problem-solving, task delegation and project management, as well as deep knowledge of woodworking tools and processes. It also requires imagination to see how a client’s desires or vision can be brought to life through the fine details of custom wood design and creation. Architectural woodworkers spend a fair amount of time collaborating with other professionals to develop the overall scope of a project, then make sure every aspect gets accomplished, both in the workshop and on the job site.
Wood Carpentry
A wood carpenter tends to focus more on the function of wood constructions rather than their artistry. These skilled craftspeople build and install cabinetry, door frames, drywall framing, furniture and more to exact specifications. Their skills are honed over time, and they often adhere to a craftsman’s creed that keeps them connected to generations of carpenters who came before them. Wood carpenters often work in the field installing elements of a specific project, though they will also spend time in the workshop crafting pieces designed by the architectural woodworker for later installation.
What Architectural Woodworking Firms Do
We work alongside architects and builders to bring their vision to life in wood — and other materials, depending on the project. And that process is as much about artistry as it is about creating something functional like a table to eat off or a door to keep out the cold. That’s why architectural woodworkers have extensive knowledge of different furniture styles, design practices and woodworking techniques. We also embrace sustainable wood and woodworking processes, bringing another level of expertise to the custom wood design we help create.
Our role in a project typically involves these steps at a high level:
Project Planning
When an architect or builder comes to Mock Woodworking with an idea for creative wood retail displays or other architectural woodworking projects, we respond with recommendations on how to execute them within the desired budgetary framework. Decades of combined experience allow us to help clients accurately define their needs and achieve their goals, including everything from cost estimating and budgeting to material selection.
Samples and Prototypes
In many cases, a sample or prototype will assist in making decisions on construction details, visual appearance and final finish. Our expert wood carpenter craftsmen get to work in our Zanesville, Ohio facilities to produce samples and prototypes that precisely match sketched drawings, architectural blueprints or existing wood samples.
Create Woodwork
Our team of skilled wood carpenters uses a combination of the latest technology and Old World know-how to craft unique woodwork for each project at our Ohio workshop facilities. We pride ourselves on delivering impressive attention to detail, especially with the elegant finish work we bring to every project that’s hard to find anywhere else in the industry. When architectural woodworkers and wood carpenters work together like this, the benefits of wood features in commercial business design truly come to life.
Installation
After our team creates the woodwork, our networks of experts install the custom wood design elements based on our exacting expectations for final product quality. They utilize techniques that reduce exposed fasteners, ensure structural integrity and minimize the need for touch-ups — all while following AWI installation standards.
Architectural and Specialty Custom Wood Design From Mock Woodworking
From big-picture design creativity to refined artistic details to the final finishes, wood carpenters and architectural woodworkers work together to create beautiful and functional custom wood designs. Check out some of the impressive projects in our portfolio to get an idea of our fine craftsmanship and breathtaking artistry.
Custom architectural and specialty woodwork from Mock Woodworking offers limitless possibilities to bring your custom wood design vision to life. Contact our team to discuss your project today. Let us estimate your job and demonstrate how we can make your venture a success.