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The Difference between Woodworking and Carpentry

Written by Saturn Construction on January 28, 2022. Posted in Blog.

As people make remodeling or renovation plans for their homes, they can find themselves needing woodworking and carpentry services. When the time to search for these services comes, however, some people can be unsure which professional to call: a woodworker or a carpenter. People often use these terms interchangeably, but each field is notably different. To help, we will outline the differences between a woodworker and a carpenter and how you can figure out which one you need and when.

The Differences between Woodworking and Carpentry

While these two fields seem like the same thing to most people, there are slight but notable differences.

Woodworking is the skill of making items from wood.
Carpentry is a trade involving cutting and joining timber to construct buildings or other structures.

Generally, a helpful way to think about the difference is this: woodworkers make items out of wood, and carpenters typically install those wooden items or furnishings. That is the main difference between the two trades, and each one entails different services and skills.

Woodworking

Woodworking is the craft of constructing and building objects out of wood. These objects can range from bowls and musical instruments to furniture such as tables or cabinets. Many people think of woodworking as an art form or making art from wood, and while many woodworkers make art, woodworking also encompasses many other professional and industrial applications. For example, all of the tables, chairs, cabinets, and other furniture and furnishings you see in a big box retail store are made by woodworkers or automated woodworking equipment.

Carpentry

A Carpenter’s job is to construct, install, and repair various wood structures. A critical difference between woodworking and carpentry is the scale and types of objects made within each field. While woodworking ranges from art to everyday furniture, which tends to be relatively small, a carpenter’s job is to build or install structures or more functional objects. Some of the items a carpenter will build or install include roofing, frames, flooring, molding, and more. Often carpenters will specialize in certain aspects of a projects. For example, one carpenter will build the framing of a home kitchen, while another one will install and apply the finishes or trim to the cabinetry.

Other Differences

One other notable difference between these two professions is their locations and work environments. Woodworkers are more likely to be working off site in professional woodworking facilities or large industrial production places. Carpenters are more likely to work on residential or commercial buildings on job sites. The specific tools each field uses also differ: woodworkers use tools such as circular saws, jigsaws, routers and lathes, while carpentry tools overlap with construction tools, such as nail guns and levels.

How Do You Know Which One To Work With?

So now that you see some of the differences between each field, how should you know whether you need woodworking or carpentry for your remodeling or renovation projects? The answer depends on what types of services you need.

If you are building or remodeling your home and need someone to install flooring, roofing, cabinets, or other structural aspects, then you need a carpenter.
If you want new furniture and want someone to build it, such as a new kitchen table or cabinets, you need a woodworker.

Contact Saturn Construction LLC for Woodworking and Carpentry Services

Are you planning on remodeling or renovating your home or business? Saturn Construction LLC can help. We are qualified and experienced carpenters, woodworkers, and contractors that can provide many woodworking and carpentry services. Our team has years of experience providing construction and carpentry services to many residents and business owners in Southeastern Pennsylvania. In addition, we can build and install the furniture and furnishing you want for your home or business. Contact us today to get started on your home remodel or for more information on our services.

The Role of Cabinet Makers in Different Types of Cabinetry

Written by Saturn Construction on November 19, 2021. Posted in Blog.

Cabinet makers are specialized woodworkers who design, fabricate, and assemble cabinetry. Their duties and skills range from cutting and shaping the wood to design to installation and more. So how involved will these woodworkers be in the entire process, from design to installation, depending on the kinds of cabinets their customers buy? Here is how cabinet makers are involved with your project and how that may change depending on what cabinets you purchase.

The Different Types of Cabinets, And How Cabinet Makers Are Involved In Your Project

Cabinets are grouped into four distinct categories based on the quality of construction and how homeowners, cabinet makers, and contractors use them throughout a remodeling process. These four types are ready-to-assemble (RTA), stock, semi-custom, and custom. While the cabinet maker is involved in constructing the various cabinet pieces, their range of used skills and techniques varies depending on the project.

Ready-to-Assemble (RTA)

For homeowners looking for the most affordable cabinet options, look for ready-to-assemble (RTA) cabinets. RTA cabinets are the kind of cabinets you find at chain home stores, ones where you need to assemble them yourself. In this instance, a cabinet maker constructs the components of a cabinet to be assembled by someone inexperienced in woodworking. The designs of these cabinets tend to be simple since the maker and manufacturer need to account for people of different DIY skill levels putting the cabinets together and perhaps even installing them.

Stock

Stock cabinets are mass-produced and just about fully assembled, ready to be installed at your home. Cabinet makers will have assembled all of the components of stock cabinets, trimmed and glued the multiple wooden pieces together, and may even install the cabinet depending on whether the homeowner opts to go the professional route over the DIY one. Stock cabinets are constructed from modular units and typically use particleboard covered with plastic laminates or solid wood. These cabinets may offer a relatively limited range of accessories, so if you want or need certain accessories (or sizes), you may have to look towards more custom cabinets.

Semi-Custom

Semi-custom cabinets allow for some size adjustments and a wide selection of materials and styles. For a semi-custom cabinet, you may be working much more closely with the cabinet maker than if you were to purchase an RTA or stock one. For example, a homeowner who wants custom doors and drawers may work either directly with the cabinet maker or indirectly through a sales representative. In addition, the construction process may be much more involved and complex than with RTA or stock cabinets. The cabinet maker may have to use their knowledge of wood and metal to find better materials and use more complicated and higher-quality construction methods.

Custom

At the highest end is entirely custom cabinetry. These cabinets are wholly made-to-order and offer the most diversity in style, material, finishes, and accessories. Like the semi-custom cabinets, you may be working closely with the cabinet maker on the design, materials, and installation of a custom cabinet. Intricate and complex construction and assembly techniques are often utilized with custom cabinets as part of their quality, such as dovetail joints. A cabinet maker has the opportunity to make full use of all of their skills, training, and knowledge when working with custom cabinets.

Contact Saturn Construction LLC for Woodworking and Cabinetry Services

Do you want to improve your home cabinets, bringing new life with quality wood and other materials? Saturn Construction LLC can provide you with the woodworking services you need. Our team of highly qualified carpenters, cabinet makers, and woodworkers has many years of experience in various cabinet styles, and other carpentry services, serving many residents and business owners in Southeastern Pennsylvania. In addition, we are experienced contractors who can build and install the furniture you want for your home or business. To get started on your home remodel or for more information on our services, contact us today.