16 Types of Carpentry Every Aspiring Carpenter Should Know

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Carpentry is one of the oldest and most versatile trades, with specialties ranging from home framing to fine furniture making. Whether you’re drawn to structural builds, intricate woodworking, or custom furniture, there’s a path in carpentry that fits your passion.

I’ve worked in nearly every area of carpentry over the years—from rough framing massive homes in Montecito to crafting detailed finish work in high-end remodels. If you’re new to carpentry or looking to refine your skills, here’s a breakdown of the major types of carpentry and what makes each one unique.

If you are looking to boost your skills as a carpenter or woodworker then hop over to this ultimate guide to get started.

The Areas and Fields of Carpentry

Most carpenters work in two primary areas of construction: Residential Carpentry and Commercial Carpentry.

• Residential Carpentry focuses on building and renovating homes, including everything from framing to finish work.
• Commercial Carpentry involves working on larger-scale projects like office buildings, shopping centers, and infrastructure, often requiring specialized materials and techniques.

Beyond these areas, carpentry is broadly categorized into Rough Carpentry and Finish Carpentry. There is a lot of overlap for many carpenters like myself who do quite a bit of both sides of carpentry.

• Rough carpentry focuses on structural construction, such as framing houses and building large-scale structures. Rough carpentry has some sub-categories that some carpenters choose to specialize in, but it primarily consists of framers.
• Finish carpentry, on the other hand, deals with the finer details that give a project a polished look, like trim, cabinetry, and furniture making. Like rough carpentry, some finish carpenters choose to specialize in one area of finish carpentry.

Below, we’ll explore various specialties, noting which primary category they fall under.

Rough Carpentry: The Backbone of Construction

Like I mentioned, rough carpenters focus on structural builds, ensuring the framework of homes, buildings, and decks is strong and stable. This is basically all framers which I’ll share next.

What It Involves:

• Focus: Framing houses, roofing, building decks, and large structural work.
• Key Skills: Measuring, cutting, heavy lifting, and working with power tools.
• Some Tools of the Trade: Circular saw, framing square, nail gun, chalk line.

Pro Tip: If you enjoy hands-on, large-scale construction and working outdoors, rough carpentry is a great fit.

I remember working on my first big framing job, standing on a freshly built subfloor, looking up at the skeleton of a house taking shape. There’s something incredibly rewarding about knowing your work is the backbone of a structure that will stand for decades.

Framing Carpentry

Framers specialize in constructing the skeletal framework of buildings, including walls, floors, sheathing, and roofs. They also typically will do siding on the exterior of the home/building.

What It Involves:

• Focus: Building the structure of homes and buildings.
• Key Skills: Blueprint reading, measuring, cutting, structural integrity.
• Some Tools of the Trade: Framing nail gun, circular saw, speed square.

Roofing Carpentry

Roof carpenters are kind of a sub-specialty that construct and repair roof structures. Not to be confused with the roofers who ensure they are weatherproof and durable. Sometimes there is overlap there though.

What It Involves:

• Focus: Constructing and repairing roofs.
• Key Skills: Roof framing, installing trusses, waterproofing.
• Some Tools of the Trade: Roofing nail gun, chalk line, shingle cutter.

Joisting Carpentry

Another sub-specialty is Joisting Carpentry, which focuses on constructing floor joists that support floorboards and ensure level and stable flooring. I’ve never seen these guys in the field but they are out there. Typically framers cover all joisting in my experience.

What It Involves:

• Focus: Installing structural floor joists.
• Key Skills: Measuring, cutting, leveling, weight distribution.
• Some Tools of the Trade: Level, circular saw, framing hammer.

Formwork Carpentry: Building Concrete Structures

Formwork carpenters are rough carpenters that create molds for concrete structures, such as bridges, foundations, and large commercial buildings on the commercial side. On the residential side of things, they form up foundations, retaining walls, and sometimes whole homes.

What It Involves:

• Focus: Large-scale construction, infrastructure projects, and foundations
• Key Skills: Blueprint reading, structural integrity, precision measuring.
• Some Tools of the Trade: Rebar cutter, concrete vibrator, clamps.

Pro Tip: Understanding structural engineering is crucial in formwork carpentry.

I’ve spent countless hours in the trenches forming up foundations, especially in Montecito where high-end homes demand precision. Working with rebar, setting forms, and pouring concrete is tough labor, but there’s a deep satisfaction in knowing you’ve built something strong and lasting.

While rough carpentry forms the backbone of any structure, finish carpentry is what brings the final vision to life. After the foundational work is complete, finish carpenters step in to add the fine details that enhance functionality and aesthetics. Their precision and craftsmanship transform raw construction into beautifully polished interiors.

Finish Carpentry: The Art of Precision and Detail

Finish carpenters handle the final touches that make a home or project look polished and professional. There are numerous specialties that many finish carpenters choose to work in like I mentioned before, while most finish guys choose to do it all.

What It Involves:

• Focus: Trim work, crown molding, baseboards, doors, and cabinetry installation.
• Key Skills: Precision cutting, sanding, staining, and detailed measuring.
• Some Tools of the Trade: Miter saw, coping saw, brad nailer, level.

Pro Tip: Attention to detail is crucial—even a small mistake in finish carpentry is noticeable.

Some of the most high-stakes work I’ve done was in finish carpentry—when you’re installing crown molding in a multimillion-dollar home, every cut has to be perfect.

Cabinet Making: Custom Storage and Functional Design

Cabinet makers specialize in fine woodworking, crafting custom cabinets, shelving, and built-ins. This is a typical specialization in finish carpentry. Cabinet guys solely do cabinet work.

What It Involves:

• Focus: Kitchens, bathrooms, built-in shelving, and high-end closets.
• Key Skills: Joinery, precision measuring, wood finishing.
• Some Tools of the Trade: Table saw, router, dovetail jig, clamps.

Pro Tip: If you love precision work and creating functional yet beautiful designs, cabinet making could be your niche.

Building custom cabinets taught me how to think about both aesthetics and practicality. There’s nothing more satisfying than seeing your work become a centerpiece in someone’s home.

Furniture Building: Crafting Timeless Pieces

Furniture builders design and construct custom tables, chairs, dressers, and more. They aren’t really a part of home construction, but they are indeed carpenters with a high level of skill. They are known as woodworkers.

What It Involves:

• Focus: Handmade furniture, woodworking shops, fine craftsmanship.
• Key Skills: Wood selection, joinery, sanding, finishing.
• Some Tools of the Trade: Jointer, planer, chisels, bandsaw.

Pro Tip: Mastering dovetail and mortise & tenon joints will separate your work from mass-produced furniture.

Some of my favorite projects were crafting a toy chest and a small picnic table for my kids from reclaimed wood. It’s a challenging process but incredibly rewarding to create something both functional and beautiful.

Specialized Types of Carpentry

Beyond the primary categories, these types of carpentry encompass various specialized fields:

• Trim Carpentry: Installing and finishing decorative elements like moldings, baseboards, and window trims.
• Ship Carpentry: Constructing, repairing, and maintaining the wooden components of ships like hulls, decks, and masts.
• Cooper Carpentry: Specializes in crafting barrels, casks, and other wooden containers.
• Green Carpentry: Focuses on environmentally friendly building practices, using sustainable materials and energy-efficient designs.
• Scenic Carpentry: Involves building sets for movies, TV, theater, and events, often working with a mix of wood, metal, and foam. This specialty type of carpentry involves both rough and finish aspects.
• Restoration Carpentry: Specializes in preserving and restoring historic buildings, furniture, and architectural woodwork.
• Luthier (Instrument Carpentry): Focuses on crafting and repairing wooden musical instruments such as guitars, violins, and pianos.
• Set Carpentry: Similar to scenic carpentry but specifically focused on temporary stages, exhibitions, and trade show booths.
• Prop Carpentry: Builds custom wood props for theater, film, and television productions, requiring detailed woodworking skills.

Finding Your Carpentry Specialty

Each type of carpentry requires a unique skill set. If you’re unsure where to start, ask yourself:

• Do you enjoy big builds? → Try rough carpentry.
• Do you love precision and detail? → Finish carpentry or cabinet making might be for you.
• Are you creative? → Furniture building or scenic carpentry could be a great fit.
• Do you love the outdoors? → Rough framing might be ideal.

There’s no wrong path within the types of carpentry—find what excites you and start mastering the skills needed for that specialty. Carpentry is a journey, and every project will help you grow as a craftsman.

Career Path and Salary Table

Carpentry Type	Category	Average Salary (US)	Career Path
Framing Carpentry	Rough	$40,000 – $60,000	Apprentice → Journeyman → Contractor
Roofing Carpentry	Rough	$42,000 – $65,000	Apprentice → Journeyman → Specialist
Joisting Carpentry	Rough	$45,000 – $70,000	Apprentice → Journeyman → Structural Specialist
Formwork Carpentry	Rough	$50,000 – $80,000	Apprentice → Journeyman → Project Manager
Ship Carpentry	Rough	$45,000 – $75,000	Apprentice → Journeyman → Master Shipwright
Trim Carpentry	Finish	$45,000 – $70,000	Apprentice → Finish Carpenter → Custom Woodworker
Cabinet Making	Finish	$40,000 – $65,000	Woodworker → Custom Cabinet Maker
Furniture Building	Finish	$35,000 – $80,000	Woodworker → Master Furniture Maker
Scenic Carpentry	Finish	$40,000 – $75,000	Set Builder → Lead Scenic Carpenter
Green Carpentry	Finish	$45,000 – $85,000	Sustainable Builder → Green Construction Expert
Cooper Carpentry	Specialized	$38,000 – $60,000	Apprentice → Journeyman → Master Cooper
Restoration Carpentry	Specialized	$50,000 – $85,000	Apprentice → Historic Carpenter → Restoration Expert
Luthier (Instrument Carpentry)	Specialized	$45,000 – $100,000	Apprentice → Journeyman → Master Luthier
Set Carpentry	Specialized	$40,000 – $75,000	Stagehand → Set Carpenter → Lead Set Designer
Prop Carpentry	Specialized	$40,000 – $80,000	Prop Maker → Master Prop Carpenter
Framing Carpentry	Rough	$40,000 – $60,000	Apprentice → Journeyman → Contractor
Formwork Carpentry	Rough	$50,000 – $80,000	Apprentice → Journeyman → Project Manager
Ship Carpentry	Rough	$45,000 – $75,000	Apprentice → Journeyman → Master Shipwright
Trim Carpentry	Finish	$45,000 – $70,000	Apprentice → Finish Carpenter → Custom Woodworker
Cabinet Making	Finish	$40,000 – $65,000	Woodworker → Custom Cabinet Maker
Furniture Building	Finish	$35,000 – $80,000	Woodworker → Master Furniture Maker
Scenic Carpentry	Finish	$40,000 – $75,000	Set Builder → Lead Scenic Carpenter
Green Carpentry	Finish	$45,000 – $85,000	Sustainable Builder → Green Construction Expert

These are only estimations from the Bureau of Labor Stats and actual salaries vary widely by types of carpentry, employer, and location.

Types of Carpentry Questions Answered

Conclusion & Next Steps

Carpentry is a rewarding and versatile trade that offers endless opportunities to build, create, and refine your skills. Whether you’re drawn to rough carpentry and large-scale construction or prefer the fine details of finish work, there’s a specialty for everyone. The key to becoming a skilled carpenter is to keep learning, keep building, and keep refining your craft.

If you’re serious about improving your carpentry and woodworking skills, I invite you to explore more in-depth guides to help you along the way:

• Best Woodworking Tools for Beginners – Get started with the essential tools you need.
• Basic Carpentry Skills – Learn the core skills every carpenter should know.

Additionally, if you want more hands-on tips, step-by-step guides, and expert insights, join my email list to get exclusive content straight to your inbox. I’ll share practical advice, project ideas, and insider knowledge that will help you become a more confident and skilled carpenter.

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