Many different kinds of materials and processes are used in the contruction of modern buildings, and there are inevitably a few terms that come up where you aren't quite sure of the meaning. Not only that, but skills in carpentry are gained through both experience and study, and people often pass on their knowledge using different words to refer to the same thing.

Plus there are different sub-sets of skills and terms since there are different kinds of carpentry, such as finish carpentry, trim carpentry, cabinetmaking, framing, shipboard carpentry, formwork carpentry and more. Some of the terminology you may come across will overlap with that of woodworking, civil engineering, or architecture. We humbly hope the Onlinetips.org Carpentry Glossary may be of some help.

For example, the focus of the cabinet maker is the production of cabinetry. Although the cabinet maker may also be required to produce items that would not be recognized as cabinets, the same skills and techniques apply.

A cabinet may be built-in or free-standing. A built-in cabinet is usually custom made for a particular situation and it is fixed into position, on a floor, against a wall, or framed in an opening. For example modern kitchens are examples of built-in cabinetry. Free-standing cabinets are more commonly available as off-the-shelf items and can be moved from place to place if required. Cabinets may be wall hung or suspended from the ceiling.

Cabinets may have a face frame or may be of frameless construction (also known as European or euro-style). Modern cabinetry is often frameless and is typically constructed from man-made sheet materials, such as plywood, chipboard or MDF. The visible surfaces of these materials are usually clad in a timber veneer, plastic laminate, or other material. They may also be painted.

Photo by mistagregory, Creative Commons Attribution License