Wood is one of the oldest natural resources and humans have been working with wood as far as history goes.
From using stones to make wooden weapons to building ships that sailed the oceans, carpentry has been an integral part of human evolution.
Did you know castles were built of wood before being made from stone?
With so many different types of carpentry work available everywhere, it can get a little overwhelming.
We are here to break down various types of carpentry, its applications, and some unique styles from all over the world, for you.
Broadly speaking carpentry can be broken down into 6 types of specialists…
1. Rough Carpentry
These specialists generally do all the structural work. That includes framing, formwork, and roofing.
2. Trim Carpentry
All the ornamental work is done by a Trim Carpenter. They specialize in moldings and trims on surfaces such as mantles and skirting boards.
3. Joister
When a floor surface is fixed, they lay floor joists on them.
4. Cabinet Maker
Along with cabinets, they make furniture like dressers, wardrobes, etc.
5. Framer
They specialize in building frameworks.
6. Roofer
They specialize in the building of rafters, beams, and trusses.
With so many amazing types of carpentry, you might be wondering what else they can be applied to.
Well, carpentry is very useful in building up mockups of complicated engineering projects.
NASA has famously built full-sized replicas of their space capsules as well as minor things like the instrument panels.
Being one of the earliest construction techniques, it has many styles and methods from around the world.
Parquetry (France)
The word ‘Parquet’ comes from the Old French word – ‘parchet’, which means a small, enclosed space.
French Parquetry is an advanced technique primarily used for flooring.
They use small blocks of wood which are arranged meticulously to form a mosaic or a pattern.
They are extremely precise and can be seen most famously at the Palace of Versailles.
Sampo-Zashi Joinery (Japan)
Reserved for the most experienced carpenters, this Japanese technique joins wood together without using nails.
It is a combination of the reliable dovetail joint and the precise mortise and tenon joints.
The Japanese preferred wood to construct their houses because of the shock-absorbing quality that wood naturally has.
It can withstand earthquakes and high-speed winds better than other materials.
Dongyang Wood Carving (China)
Dongyang, from the Zhejiang Province in China, was popular for its ornate wood carvings.
They have extremely deep dimensions and detailed compositions that depict people, horses, and nature.
Thought to be carved for the Ming and Qing dynasties, this style of carpentry had wide-reaching influences.
Furniture Design (Scandinavia)
Though a comparatively recent example, Danish furniture design brought about a revolution and is easily the most recognizable anywhere in the world.
The movement, led by Kaare Klint, was an interpretation of a modern approach to furniture.
They leaned towards both form and function.
Using richer materials and natural textures made the furniture stand out in contrast to older bulkier designs.
A famous example of this would be IKEA which proudly carries on the tradition of minimal design with maximum function.
Conclusion
In the world we see around us, carpentry is a part of its basic building block.
This humble craft, perfected over centuries has given us both wonder and comfort, and Australia is a proud land that has nurtured carpentry in men as well as women.
Carpentry has evolved from an art form to a necessity.
So if you have a carpentry job, talk to our expert carpenters on the Gold Coast.
