What is Millwork?

If you’ve ever undertaken a significant home improvement project, you’ve likely heard of millwork. While the term is used frequently by contractors, you may have wondered, “What exactly is millwork?” Simply put, millwork is a broad term referring to any building materials—particularly those that serve a decorative rather than a structural function—that were traditionally produced in a sawmill. Common examples of millwork include:

• Doors and doorframes
• Window frames
• Trim
• Shelving and mantels
• Moulding
• Wall paneling

What materials is millwork made from?

Traditionally, millwork only included materials made from raw lumber, but this definition has been significantly expanded over the years. Today, millwork may encompass products made from pine and oak, as well as less common woods such as fir, poplar, hickory, and maple. Additionally, products made from aluminum, steel, fiberglass, particleboard, composite materials, and medium-density fiberboard (MDF)—which is composed of wood-mill byproducts—may be considered millwork.

What is the difference between millwork and casework?

Adding confusion to the definition of millwork is the fact that not everything produced in a sawmill qualifies. For example, flooring is usually distinguished from other types of millwork products. Another distinct category is known as casework, which refers to boxed pieces such as bookcases, drawers, or cabinets. While some homeowners seek out custom-built casework, it is more often mass produced in standard dimensions, which reduces the overall cost of the materials and facilitates an easy installation process.

How much does millwork cost?

Since millwork encompasses so many different products and materials, it is difficult to identify a single price range. For example, the cost of replacing an interior or exterior door may range from $150 to nearly $2,000; the installation of new trim may range from $700 to $1,300; and a new mantelpiece may cost anywhere from under $500 to $700. As with other home improvement projects, the final cost will depend on factors such as the type of product installed, the quality of materials used, and the expertise of the installers.

Millwork from Arizona Door Store

At Arizona Door Store, we understand that choosing the right millwork for your home can be overwhelming. As a family-owned and operated company dedicated to providing expert personalized service for both homeowners and contractors, our team is here to help guide you through our vast selection of millwork and other products, including interior and exterior doors, moulding, and hardware. Many of our doors are locally made in Arizona using high-quality materials, with a wide variety of style options ranging from sleek and modern Shaker-style doors to charming and rustic barn doors and everything in between. Contact us today to learn more about what we offer!