carpenter needs to be skilled in several different areas, from learning how to work with wood, to knowing how to read blueprints. There are certain skills that are common to all carpenters. They all can, for example, work well with hand and power tools. They know how to read blueprints and then convert them into workable designs. They also know how to cut and measure wood, and then assemble them to create buildings or smaller structures.
While this is the foundational knowledge required to be a carpenter, carpenters also tend to specialize in different areas. Some go on to work on homes and large buildings, while others choose to exclusively build ships. If you want to be a carpenter, then it would be useful for you to know what the different kinds of carpenters out there are. This can help you to make an informed choice regarding which direction you want your career to take.
Who is a Carpenter?
A carpenter is someone who is adept at woodwork. They need to know how to measure and cut wood, as well as how to assemble them together to create desired designs. Carpenters can both work indoors, as well as outdoors. They need to know how to secure timber and other raw materials, and need to have certain basic skills that are essential to their career. These include:
Understanding Designs and Working With Clients
A carpenter needs to be able to understand what the client wants from them. They should be able to guide their clients in a way, where due to their professional advice, the client gets the desired results they want. They should also be able to interpret blueprints for their clients as well, and know how to make workable designs from those blueprints.
Building, Repairing and Maintaining Projects
Carpenters should be capable of shaping and cutting timber, with the help of required power tools. They should know how to install wooden fixtures, as well as how to maintain and repair them. They should also be adept at assembling wooden components together to create large structures.
Using Tools and Equipment
Every carpenter should know how to use the tools of the trade. These include hand tools, like chisels, claw hammers, tape measures, and more. They should also be comfortable with using power tools, such as power drills, sanders, and more. Aside from these, carpenters should also know how to maintain their workbenches, scrap bins, as well as other organizational equipment.
The Seven Types of Carpenters
There are seven types of carpentry work you can pursue. Despite all having the same basic set of skills, carpenters spend developing specialized skills, by devoting themselves to one or more kinds of carpentry. Here are the seven kinds of carpenters you should know about:
1. Rough Carpenters
Rough carpenters work exclusively with buildings, by planning, constructing and maintaining structures. They can work on residential, commercial, as well as industrial projects, providing carpentry support through the project. They know how to construct wooden framing, roofing, as well as other structures.
They can be called in to work during the initial construction phase of a building, as well as during home renovations and repairs. They work both indoors and outdoors. A rough carpenter needs to have knowledge of structural integrity, and should help boost cost-efficiency in the project. Rough carpentry is a commonly undertaken path, and such carpenters need to be able to quickly assemble posts, beams, and other parts of a building.
2. Trim Carpentry
Carpenters that specialize in building moldings and trims of a room are known as trim carpenters. They create structures such as mantles, cornices, architraves, and more. Trim carpentry can further be categorised, based on the kind of materials the trim carpenter chooses to work with. There are two kinds of trim carpentry. The first of these, is green carpentry. Trim carpenters who choose to work with sustainable materials, and install eco-friendly structures and installations, are known as green carpenters.
The other kind of trim carpenter, is a scenic carpenter. They work on film sets, helping construct wooden supports as and when needed.
3. Cabinet Carpentry
Carpenters who choose to exclusively work on cabinets, dressers, wardrobes, and other similar structures, are known as cabinet carpenters. They may also create wooden furniture as well, such as patio furniture, or indoor furniture for homes or offices.
4. Joister
A jointer is a carpenter who constructs floors. They are responsible for creating, installing, as well as fixing floor surfaces. They need to know how to maintain structural integrity, as well as durability of floors. Since joisters are involved in wooden flooring finishes, they require more attention to detail, in order to create polished finishes.
5. Ship Carpentry
A ship carpenter works exclusively in shipbuilding. They need to meet client demands, and ensure both the structural integrity, as well as the appearance of ships, are in order. Previously, many ship carpenters were hired to create replicas of ships. These days, shop carpenters can also be hired to work on new cruise liners, to construct freight ships, as well as small boats.
6. Framers
Framers are carpenters who build framing for houses and buildings. They are different from rough carpenters, in that they often work alone. Rough carpenters may need to work in large groups to ensure that all the work gets done in time.
Framers, on the other hand, maybe asked to work alone, or maybe hired exclusively for a project.
7. Roofer
Carpenters who specialize in constructing roofs for homes and other buildings are known as roofers. They need to know how to build rafters, trusses, beams, and other roofing structures that are involved in the construction of a building. A roofer needs to ensure that the roofs they construct are durable, as well as structurally sound.
A roofer can work both on commercial as well as residential projects, working to help support the project with their skills. They may also be asked to repair or renovate a roof, after the initial construction is over.
Conclusion
Although all carpenter are adept at woodwork, and are able to cut, shape, measure and assemble wooden components, many choose to specialize in fields of carpentry. There are altogether seven different kinds of carpentry you can choose, ranging from ship carpentry to roof carpentry. Some carpenters work on-site, in construction locations, such as rough carpenters. Others, like cabinetmakers, can choose to operate out of shops of their own. Carpenters can also choose to work exclusively to create wooden handcrafted goods, and other ornate products. This list should be able to guide you towards the kind of carpenter you want to become.
Irrespective of the kind of carpenter you choose to be, you may still encounter the same career risks, that all carpenters are exposed to. A client who is unhappy with your work, for example, could sue you. This could lead to expensive legal battles, which you would have to pay for, out of your own pocket. Consider insurance for carpenters as a way to protect yourself against common career risks. From legal battles to business interruptions, carpenters insurance can help you build financial security in your career.
