AAU-EiABC Workshop Training (carpentry)

Chair of construction Materials & Geotechnics

Definition of Carpentry 
Carpentry can be defined as the art of working with timber in order to construct and maintain
buildings, furniture, and other objects.

A carpenter is one of the most necessary and most used of all building trades due to their
specialized knowledge and the techniques that they use when working with wood.  Here is what you
need to know about carpentry.

Types of Carpentry
While the term carpenter is used to refer to anyone that works with wood, there are actually different
types of carpentry.  The two main types of carpentry include:

 Rough Carpentry – this is all carpentry work that doesn’t require a neat finish as it will be
covered up by walls or other items. Structural carpentry is the most common type of rough
carpentry and these carpenters are very skilled in quickly erecting the structural components of a
building, such as beams, posts, and rafters.  Rough carpenters commonly work in roofing and
framing.
 Finish Carpentry – finish carpentry refers to all carpentry work that will be visible once a
building has been completed, and as such, finish carpenters work to a high level of detail.  The
type of work that finish carpenters do includes decking, flooring, building staircases, installing
windows and doors, erecting pergolas or other structures, install trim and moulding, and so on.

However, there are also other types of carpentry that you can find and these include:

 Formwork Carpentry – this type of carpentry focuses on erecting and dismantling the
formwork that is needed for the pouring of concrete.  The formwork is the “frame” that holds the
concrete in place while it cures.
 Cabinetmaking – this is a specialized branch of carpentry that focuses on building cabinetry
for kitchens, bathrooms, laundries, offices and so forth.  Furniture making is also a component.
 Trim Carpentry – a trim carpenter is one that specialises in installing the trims and
mouldings into a room such as mantles, skirting boards, cornices, architraves, ornamental trim
and so forth.
 Green Carpentry – a green carpenter is a carpenter that is skilled and trained in the same
way as a standard carpenter but they have a particular interest and skill set in using
environmentally sustainable methods and materials in their projects.
 Scenic Carpentry – these carpenters specialize in the erecting and dismantling of scenery
and sets that are used in films, television, and plays.
 Ship’s Carpentry – a ship’s carpenter is one that specialises in ship building, maintenance
and repair techniques.  They are needed on steel ships as well as wooden ships.

Compiled by Geremew T. November, 2011