Whether you're embarking on a home improvement project or simply exploring new ways to update your home, millwork is a smart place to start. Millwork is one of the features that helps make a house a home while adding character and adding to the functionality of the space. But what is millwork? Keep reading to learn about millwork in all of its forms, why it's a must-have in your home, and how it differs from similar woodwork products.

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What Is Millwork?
Benefits of Adding Millwork to Your Home
Millwork vs. Casework

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What Is Millwork?

What is millwork in construction and home remodeling? Millwork is an umbrella term for a variety of wood products that are traditionally created by carpenters and other craftspeople in a sawmill and then added to a home's interior. These pieces can be customizable or made-to-order to fit within specific dimensions or to fulfill a decorative purpose within a home. Millwork encompasses a range of home features and woodworking details that may already be present in your home, or that you can use to add to your home's beauty and function. Below, we highlight types of millwork commonly found inside the home.

Millwork Examples

• Wainscoting – Review these guides on What Is Wainscoting? and How to Install Wainscoting in 10 Steps to learn more.
• Chair Rails
• Beadboard
• Wall Paneling
• Crown Molding – Read What Is Crown Molding? and How to Install Crown Molding in Your Home for more info and installation tips!
• Baseboards – Check out What Is a Baseboard? and How to Install Baseboard in 10 Steps to learn more.
• Doors & Door Frames (trims & casings) – Review Your Go-To Guide to Interior Door Types and our guide on How to Install a Door to explore your style and installation options.
• Cross Heads
• Window Frames (trims & casings)
• Fireplace Mantels
• Stair Components (steps, stair trim, banisters, posts) – Read What Is a Banister? to learn more about this type of millwork.
• Decorative Corbels & Brackets
• Ceiling Medallions
• Decorative Appliques, Moldings, & Embellishments

Benefits of Adding Millwork to Your Home

With a better understanding of what millwork is, review this section to discover just how beneficial millwork can be to your home!

• Polishes & Adds Interest to Interiors: Millwork helps draw attention to walls/ceilings, doorways, windows, and fireplaces when used in the form of crown molding, casings, or mantelpieces. Similarly, paneling and wainscoting add texture while also helping to cover imperfections or markings.
• Creates a Cohesive Look Throughout Your Home: Millwork, whether in the form of wall paneling, crown molding, casings, or decorative corbels/brackets, can serve as a way to connect every room in your home when implemented throughout each room. This is especially helpful if you want to maintain a sense of cohesion while exploring different design styles or color palettes from room to room!
• Increases Your Home's Value: Whether you're planning to refinance or sell your home, millwork – especially in the form of crown molding – can significantly increase your home's resale value. This is because of the aesthetic beauty and character it adds to the home. Millwork is also a great way to get a renovated look without making significant changes to your home's layout or architecture.
• Adds Function & Durability: Millwork is mostly used for decorative purposes, but that doesn't mean it can't also serve important functions! Baseboards add a polished look to your walls while protecting them from damage caused by feet or vacuum cleaners bumping into them. Similarly, door and window frames help define entrances and windows while creating a protective seal from outside weather – keeping your room the perfect temperature and minimizing energy costs.

Millwork vs. Casework

Now that you know how to define millwork, let's go over how to distinguish it from a similar type of woodwork – casework. The main difference is the types of wood products they each produce. While millwork focuses on paneling, trim, and decorative moldings, casework focuses on box-shaped items like cabinets, drawers, built-in bookshelves, or kitchen islands. Millwork is used mainly for decorative purposes, while casework is all about storage and function. Also, millwork is typically customized or made-to-order, while casework products are more likely to be produced by manufacturers in large quantities for lower production costs and easier installation.

Tip!

Now that you have a comprehensive millwork definition to work with, read over these guides on Types of Molding and Types of Floor Trim for Your Home for a more in-depth look at millwork options!

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