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Like many specialized industries and crafts, the millwork trade has its own terms and vernacular relating to products available for construction projects. The vast majority of terms originated centuries ago during the golden eras of Greek and Roman public architecture. Many of these terms had unusual names such as cornice, plinth, volute, capital, corbel, finial, and keystone. These architectural details were typically made by stone masons to add interesting detail for structures. Only the extremely wealthy could afford to use these elements in private residences. Much later in human history wood millwork replicas appeared in interior spaces of grand residences throughout Europe. Casing around windows and doors, base along the floor line, and exotic crowns at the ceiling edge adorned every room throughout the mansion. Several rooms would feature additional details such as wainscoting on the walls, coffered ceilings with large beams and paneled recesses, and perhaps curved wood doorways and vaults for added flair. Many of these features would showcase an unusual profile molded into the wood to provide uniqueness to the residence. However, most common residences could not afford these details that were hand made by millwork craftsmen. Instead, simple millwork was used such as a “mop board” at the floor line and flat boards around windows and doors. | A reputable custom millwork shop can guide you through the mystifying array of available millwork to achieve the end result you desire. | | The Industrial Era forever changed the primary residence. Not only was machinery available to produce millwork more economically, the overall affluence of the population meant that more homes could add millwork details to show the status of its owners. The Victorian Age is a perfect example how grandiose homes appeared, heavily adorned with wood details, in nearly every community throughout the country. Today, thanks to technological advances in machinery and cutting tools, high quality custom millwork can be produced for a very reasonable price. Architects, builders, and homeowners can select fashionable millwork that offers style and pizzazz at a small percentage cost to the entire project. A reputable custom millwork shop can guide you through the mystifying array of available millwork to achieve the end result you desire. Confused about back bands, bead boards, plinths, rosettes, dentils, picture moldings, chair rails, and astragals? No need to worry because the customer service from a custom millwork business will take the time to explain the terms and help you decide if those items are necessary for your project. You do not have to be a millwork expert because the custom millwork shop representative can serve that function for you. They can also assist you in laying out coffered ceilings and wainscot panels before the actual work is started. In summary, the relationship with a custom millwork business is a huge advantage toward achieving the décor of your dreams. Oh, what is an astragal? It is typically a profiled molding applied along the length of one door in a pair of doors in order to conceal the gap between the doors when closed. Now you know!
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