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Casework Vs Millwork - The Differences & Applications
Casework Vs Millwork - The Differences & Applications
Millwork is any woodwork manufactured in a mill, such as doors, wall paneling, molding, and trims. It is
typically custom-made for both decorative and practical purposes. In contrast, casework is a form of
modular carpentry. It involves manufacturing box-shaped items such as cabinets, storage boxes, and
bookshelves.
While they have certain similarities, they also have distinct features that set them apart in terms of CAD
drafting and manufacturing perspective.
The main difference between them is that millwork is custom-made—built to solve a client’s specific needs.
For example, custom wood bulletproof doors, created to provide security, but also maintain aesthetics.
On the other hand, manufacturers make casework from a range of materials in finishes and colors.
Understanding the differences between millwork and casework will help you determine the best fit for your
needs and budget.
Table of Contents
Overview of casework
What is casework?
Casework means making boxes or box-shaped furniture. It typically involves manufacturing prefabricated
or modular wooden parts that are delivered for final assembly on-site.
Typically, casework is mass-produced using standard sizes, materials, and designs, which makes it
affordable.
Clients or designers choose from various vendors and styles to get the functionality and look they want.
Movable casework is referred to as modular casework.
Consistency and repeatability. Casework provides simple solutions that allow consistency and
repeatability, especially when working on large projects with several phases.
Flexible and interchangeable. Modular casework is available in various coordinated components,
which makes it easy to change or adapt the furniture to new configurations. Also, because it’s not a
permanent installation, moving modular casework to different locations is easier.
Lower cost. Casework is more cost-effective because of the mass-production element.
Overview of millwork
What is millwork?
Millwork refers to any wooden object manufactured at a lumber mill. It is custom-made to a client’s
specifications, often resulting in unique designs that are also aesthetically pleasing. It usually involves
building items intended for both practical and decorative purposes, such as displays for museums, galleries,
and other prestigious buildings.
What are some examples of millwork?
Examples of millwork include armoires, embellishments, mantels, trims, wall paneling, doors, display
counters, and crown moldings.
Unique in design. Since they are custom-made, millwork items are often one-of-a-kind in dimension,
form, and materials.
Wide range of applications. You can create architectural millwork for any industry or property,
including healthcare, retail, and hospitality, as well as commercial, residential, and industrial real
estate purposes.
Aesthetically pleasing. Millwork allows clients to add details and a personal touch to the design
aesthetic. You can get custom paneling or cabinet drafting done to create beautiful pieces with intricate
designs that enhance both interiors and exteriors.
Quality. It gives you the freedom to choose and control over the quality of the materials in terms of
the type of wood, texture, staining, or color. It also has a high return on investment.
Manufacturers make millwork according to client specifications, including design and measurement. Hence,
most millwork items are often a solution for a specific construction problem. On the other hand, casework
pieces are pre-manufactured and readily available off the shelf. They are mass-produced, standard-sized
items, typically available in various popular material designs and colors.
Fit
Wood casework takes a one-size-fits-all approach. Unfortunately, the item may not always fit where it needs
to, which may affect the general aesthetics of your design.
Also, you may end up incurring additional costs to make needed adjustments. In contrast, millwork is made
for the specific dimensions and measurements of the available space. It will always fit into the geometrical
space intended for it and blend with the existing aesthetic, becoming a natural part of the environment.
Installation time
Since casework items are pre-fabricated, all you need to do is take them out of the delivery boxes, set them
up, and consider your project complete. So, casework installation time is short. Traditional millwork
products have a longer installation time because they have a longer process.
It starts by measuring the dimensions of the space, which are then translated into technical drawings that
form the basis for fabrication. These products may also require professional installation, which can further
increase installation time.
Materials
Millwork gives the client control over all the aspects of the product, including the materials used. For
wooden casework items, the manufacturer has control. However, in most cases, the manufacturer will
provide an item in different types of wood, colors, materials and finishes, giving you a variety to choose
from. The cost of the products will vary depending on the type of materials used.
Architectural drawings
Millwork pieces with complex designs and specific measurements depend on detailed and precise diagrams
for accuracy. These diagrams, known as architectural drawings, provide the additional guidance needed by
the woodworker about the design and the finished product. For casework, manufacturers build the furniture
according to a set of predetermined standards.
They do not rely heavily on drawings from the customer. For example, if the wood item needs QCP
(Quality Certification Program) certification, it must meet the required AWI (Architectural Woodwork
Institute) standards for wooden casework.
Customization
Another significant difference is the manufacturing process. For millwork, each piece is custom-made, so
two pieces will never be alike. In contrast, wooden casework pieces are mass-produced and boast
consistency and repeatability.
Price
Millwork requires skilled professionals because of the level of complexity, even more so if the design is
ornate and requires handcrafting. CAD drafters need time and detailed attention to decide the space
decoration, utility, and uniqueness. So, the compensation for work done tends to be higher. Casework
products are faster to produce and tend to be reasonably cheap due to the mass-production element.
The final state of the product
Once custom millwork products are installed, they become permanent fixtures that cannot be easily
removed or changed. In contrast, the modular or semi-finished form of casework pieces gives you more
flexibility to move or swap products.
Retrofitting
Customer needs are ever changing, and wear and tear are inevitable with constant use. Hence, as time goes
by, you may need to replace, renovate, or upgrade your wooden items. It is easier to remove and replace
old wooden casework with newer, much-improved products since they have been made in similar standard
dimensions. However, since millwork is custom-made, it will be much harder to retrofit.
By comparison, millwork tends to be more expensive, but it caters to a customer’s needs and is generally
made from higher-quality materials.
So, purchasing casework items is the ideal choice if you want to keep costs down. Millwork is the correct
choice when you want customized cabinetry or woodwork. Other reasons for choosing one over the other
are outlined below.
Dependence on
Yes No
architectural design
Modular casework provides a cheaper alternative. Here, if you work with a reputable manufacturer,
designers can choose reasonably high-quality options from multiple vendors to maximize the potential of
the overall design concept. This allows you to create a custom-built millwork look without sacrificing
modular casework’s cost and flexibility advantages.
While millwork can be more expensive, it provides high-quality products with beautiful finishes that are far
better than casework. What is right for you will depend on your specific needs and requirements.