Architectural woodworking is a term that is in itself quite difficult to define, and there are several different schools of thought on this. The view of the woodworker is somewhat different from that of the architect. This kind of woodwork is the part of the structure of a building that is made of wood and can be seen on the surface from the architect’s viewpoint. In other words, it’s not the unseen bits hidden in the frame of the building and roof.

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Woodworkers talk here of balustrades, stair rails, doors, fireplaces, cabinets, wooden window frames, skirting boards, intricately carved cornices, or anything else which is attached to, or built inside a structure. However, architectural woodwork is not a subject that is studied in schools and colleges from a practical point of view. Students learn woodwork and the rest follows as they discover their own artistic preferences and talents. The budding architectural woodworker needs to start by learning the basic techniques to perfection.

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Architectural woodwork demands a very high standard of skills and there are official standards covered by building regulations in UK, US, Australia and many other countries. These rules and regulations cover things like the construction and design of stairs, windows, balustrades and other wooden structures where good, safe and sturdy work is essential. So, the would be architectural woodworker needs to have a thorough grounding in milling, which is the cutting down of large pieces of rough wood to smaller workable pieces, and to learn the finer arts of cabinet making.

A woodworker who cannot make a good solid dovetail joint, fix a secure butt joint, or mitre two pieces of wood together and get the angle perfect, will never develop into a skilled architectural woodworker.

To be an expert and succeed at this, an in-depth knowledge of different woods, their uses and their properties is essential. When this is combined with the skill to use the correct tools and a real feel for the wood itself, a somewhat ordinary woodworker can develop architectural skills and move into the field of woodwork design on a whole new level.