Millwork is commercial woodwork used in building homes and public buildings, including window and door frames, crown moldings, decorative trims, furniture, and stairs. The definition has expanded to include synthetic materials, but quality varies based on raw materials and craftsmanship.
Millwork is generally defined as any type of woodwork produced commercially in a mill. Often, several examples of this type of woodwork are finished pieces that can be installed with little or no modifications as part of the process of building a home or public building. However, crafting also includes creating sections of lumber for use in the building process.
Almost every building contains some type of millwork. In addition to the lumber used to build the frames for houses and other buildings, many of the specific features of the space are created using different types of architectural workmanship. This can include items like window frames, door frames, and crown moldings. Design elements such as mantels around fireplaces and interior and exterior doors used in the project are also considered part of this class of wood products.
Another example of this type of woodwork produced in a mill is decorative trim that is used along baseboards or as part of a chair rail design. Trims of this type can be very simple or can include attractive beading, grooves or various types of patterns that help enhance the overall look of the space. While sometimes included in the initial design, siding can be added later as a means to change or update the look of the home.
Other examples of milling work are also found in the house and other types of structures. This category includes kitchen and bathroom furniture made of wood. Shutters and blinds constructed with wood components also qualify as this type of woodwork. Examples of this type of woodworking are also a flight of stairs, as well as bookcases and shelving contained in pantries and closets.
In the past, the designation of millwork applied only to building materials and wooden elements. However, the increased use of synthetic materials has caused some to redefine the meaning somewhat. Many practitioners now consider any item composed of a combination of wood and synthetic elements to properly qualify as millwork. This includes products that use pressed wood chips in the design. Some disagree with this expanded definition and argue that only products made entirely of solid wood can properly be identified as millwork.
As with many products, the quality of a particular type of woodwork will depend on the choice of raw materials and the care that is given to the creation of the work itself. Custom pieces created with great care tend to be of high quality, while mass-produced pieces made from inferior woods generally meet basic standards, but nothing more. Due to the variation in quality, different types of products created by the mill can be purchased at a wide range of prices.
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