Many people wonder what the difference is between joinery and carpentry. More to the point, when you need something made of wood, do you call a joiner or a carpenter?
The thing is, there are lots of similarities between joiners and carpenters. Confusingly, in the UK the use of either term is dependent on location. For example, in the South of England people tend to use the term carpenter whereas in the North of England people prefer to use the term joiner.
Joinery and carpentry are both wood-based construction trades. They do share a number of similar skills but there are differences. Understanding these differences will help you decide whether your job needs a joiner or carpenter.
The Core Differences Of A Joiner
Simply put, a joiner constructs items by joining pieces of wood, a carpenter will then take these items and fit them on site and would also undertake tasks such as fitting locks and door furniture. So, if you want a door or a window made or repaired you will require the services of a joiner. If you require installations of wooden fixtures on site, you will need the services of a carpenter.
Another important distinction is that joiners construct items at a bench, in a workshop. Once these items—such as interior and exterior doors, windows, stairs, tables, bookshelves, cabinets—are completed they are passed to carpenters who use their skills to install them on-site.
Furthermore, the equipment used by joiners and carpenters are very different. Joiners are based in workshops where they utilize large and heavy machinery like mains electricity-powered saws used to create and cut joints. Carpenters use relatively light portable tools that can be moved around while on-site.
What Work Does A Joiner Specialise In?
Joiners use a range of specialized tools, including chisels, planes, and saws, to craft intricate wooden components. Their work is typically done in a controlled environment, allowing for greater precision and finer detailing, focusing upon high-quality craftsmanship every time!
Common tasks for Joiners include:
- Crafting bookshelves and tables
- Manufacturing window frames
- Constructing interior and exterior doors
- Creating custom furniture
- Designing staircases
What Work Do Carpenters Specialize In?
Carpentry works with both wood/metal fits together various materials including screws/nails utilizing portable tools allowing flexibility regarding location often found assembling structures onsite ensuring functional aesthetically pleasing outcomes crafted care sustainably sourced timbers!
Typical duties for Carpenters include:
- Installing roof beams
- Setting up partition walls
- Laying floors
- Installing staircases
- Fixing window frames
- Adding skirting boards
- Installing cabinets and shelves
How To Choose Between Joiner And Carpenter?
When deciding between hiring either professional consider:
- Assess Your Project: Determine whether your project requires creating an item from scratch (joinery) installing it (carpentry).
- Expertise Matters: Hire according expertise relative project’s requirements.
- Collaborative Efforts: Larger projects like house renovations/new builds consider hiring both—a joiner crafting bespoke elements followed skilled carpenter precise installation.
- Skill Overlap: Remember good craftsmen possess basic knowledge across trades specialization yields best results.
For instance:
Need custom-made wooden staircases? Hire both—a joiner craft beautifully specifications followed skilled carpenter ensuring perfect installation!
In summary: get built (joiner) ; get fitted (carpenter) !
