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.
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.
