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Millwork

Millwork refers to custom, shop-built, wood components for interior finish construction. This applies to both residential and commercial work.

These are items such as custom wood chair rails, bases, built-in bookcases, paneling, doors, cash units, display fixtures and so on.

The project interior designer or architect produces the millwork drawings. These drawings provide information about each custom designed piece. Style, dimensions, type of wood, finishes and desired details are drawn and noted.

Millwork items are primarily wood, although glass and metal parts are also included within a fixture. For example, a cabinet for entertainment equipment can have a metal swivel device for the television and a metal rack for DVD storage. Or a display case has a wood base with a glass showcase on top.

Wood refers to solid wood, wood veneer, mdf or plywood. Information on the drawing indicates the specific type for solid or veneer, maple, pine, oak, etc. The finish is also noted. For example, stained, lacquered or plywood with a plastic laminate finish.

On smaller projects, millwork drawings are typically pages within the construction drawing set. On larger projects it is common practice to create a separate set of drawings. As a separate set the pricing and construction process is simplified. The company working on this portion of the project has all items clearly laid out for them.

A separate set of drawings also works well for chain stores. The head office will have the custom fixtures designed and drawn. They will then contract out large quantities of standard fixtures directly to a woodworking shop. This enables them to mass-produce items typical to their stores, such as cash units or display cases. By producing more than one at a time they are able to negotiate a better overall price.

Typically, the general contractor sub-contracts the millwork portion of a project to a woodworking company.

The contracted company will produce shop drawings when a request is noted on the designers’ drawings. Shop drawings show exact construction methods in detail, including the finish. They are submitted to the interior designer or architect for approval before building starts. This ensures items are build as intended for the project. It also ensures everything is built in a proper fashion acceptable to the project standards. Approved shop drawings are then used for building.

The following is an example of a millwork drawing. The drawing has been reduced to fit on this page. It is only to provide an overview, not to shown any specific information.



The drawing will typically show a plan view of the item. Front, side and rear elevations are used when required to explain the shape. Sections are used when necessary to provide information for various segments. All are dimensioned. Specific materials and finishes are noted.

Wood Joints in Millwork

Construction Drawings


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