Look around you. Chances are you see something that has been made by a skilled carpenter. Whether it is a cabinet, a wooden chair, your door, or the small trimmings that line your walls, carpentry work is all around us.
The art of carpentry has been around for a long time. Jesus was a carpenter by trade, so was his father. There are many references in the Bible of carpenters, and it is safe to assume from all the wood works and wooden structures throughout history that carpentry specialists have been around for ages.
If you are in need of a skilled carpenter, you should know which type of carpenter to hire. Generally, there are 5 types of carpenters, though there are two types that make up most of the world’s carpenters.
Rough Carpenters
The first type is the rough carpenter. Usually they are involved in structural construction work, framing and roofing. The jobs that a rough carpenter does also include:
- Pre-construction work – these include bracing, formworks and scaffolding
- Floor construction, frames, insulation and partitions
- Deciphering of construction blueprints, measurement of materials and distance, dimensions of a structure
- Cutting of wood products
- Assembling of wood and metal structures
- Understanding of the types of damage that can affect woods
- Digging post holes, construct support structures, woodworking
When looking for a rough carpenter, the same rules apply when looking for other specialists. You should choose one with experience and one that has a good track record. Also ask for past work samples. Asking around can help.
Finish Carpenters
Finish carpenters are the ones that work on the style, look and image of a finished structure. Not to be confused with carpenters from Finland (though there are Finnish finish carpenters too), the types of jobs that finish carpenters do are:
- Decking
- Roofing
- Sidings
- Interior trimming
- Remodelling
- Drywall detailing
- Intricate woodworks
Finish carpenters are usually much more expensive to hire, but combined with their experience and skillful work, you can be sure that whatever wood project you need to have done will be done in an artistic and clean manner.
Basically, rough carpenters do the dirty of work while finish carpenters clean it up. Think of it this way, a rough carpenter will do the frame and walls of the house, while a finish carpenter will work on it to make it appealing.
The Other Three Types
The other three types of carpenters are:
- Cabinet Makers – these make interior cabinets or storage facilities
- Trim Carpenters – these do the ceiling trimmings, mouldings and windows
- Ship Carpentry – these are tasked to do nautical woodwork projects and shipbuilding
Carpentry is a broad industry, so when you need to have work done, be sure to know which type of carpentry specialist you would need. You wouldn’t get a cabinet maker to make a ship now would you?
If you are looking for a skilled carpenter near you, check out our list of carpentry companies to find the right one for you.

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