This glossary offers plain-language orientation for owners, designers, builders, and project teams. Definitions can vary by standard and contract. For formal requirements, use the definitions in the documents governing the project. The Architectural Woodwork Institute glossary is a useful industry reference.
Architectural woodwork
Shop-fabricated wood and wood-based products made for an architectural interior, such as paneling, trim, custom doors, built-ins, and casework. The exact scope depends on the project documents.
Casework
Cabinet and storage assemblies, including base, wall, and tall cabinets, shelving units, display fixtures, and related work surfaces when included. See Millwork vs. Casework.
Millwork
A broad term for fabricated architectural components traditionally associated with a mill. In current construction usage it can include trim, mouldings, paneling, doors, built-ins, casework, and ornamental work.
Running trim
Repeated linear profiles such as base, casing, crown, chair rail, and picture moulding.
Profile
The cross-sectional shape of a moulding or edge. A physical sample is often the best source when matching existing trim.
Reveal
An intentional visible line or offset between adjacent surfaces or components.
Scribe
Extra material or a fitted edge used to follow an adjacent wall, floor, ceiling, or other field condition.
Substrate
The underlying material to which a veneer, laminate, finish, or other surface is applied.
Veneer
A thin layer of wood applied to a substrate. Species, cut, leaf matching, sequence, grain direction, and finish all influence appearance.
Flitch
A bundle of veneer leaves kept in the order produced from a log so their grain can be selected and matched across panels.
Book match
A veneer arrangement in which adjacent leaves are opened like pages of a book, producing a mirrored grain relationship.
Slip match
A veneer arrangement in which adjacent leaves are laid in sequence in the same orientation rather than alternated.
Sequence match
Planning veneer leaves in order across a group of panels or components to control the visual progression.
Solid wood
Lumber or components made from wood rather than a veneer-faced panel. Solid wood changes dimension as environmental moisture conditions change.
Engineered panel
A manufactured sheet product used as a substrate or structural component, such as plywood, particleboard, or medium-density fiberboard. Products have different performance and use characteristics.
Decorative laminate
A manufactured decorative surface bonded to a substrate. Specifications should identify the product type, color, texture, finish, thickness where relevant, and treatment of edges and seams.
Face frame
A frame attached to the front of a cabinet body. Doors and drawers relate to that frame rather than directly to the cabinet-box edges.
Frameless casework
Cabinet construction without a separate front face frame; doors, drawers, and hardware relate directly to the cabinet body.
Overlay
The relationship in which a door or drawer front covers part of the cabinet face or body edge.
Inset
A door or drawer front fitted within the surrounding frame or cabinet opening rather than over it.
Shop drawing
A fabrication-focused drawing showing how the proposed work interprets project requirements. Review does not transfer design responsibility unless the contract expressly says so.
Submittal
Information submitted for project review, which may include shop drawings, product data, samples, hardware information, and other required documentation.
Control sample
An approved physical sample used as a reference for evaluating specified visual characteristics such as color, grain, texture, or finish.
Mockup
A representative assembly used to review materials, details, interfaces, workmanship, or finish before broader fabrication or installation.
Field verification
Confirming site dimensions or conditions before fabrication or installation. The responsible party and required timing should be stated in the project documents.
Finish carpentry
Field fitting and installation of visible interior components such as trim, paneling, doors, and other finish work.
Factory finish
A finish applied under controlled shop or factory conditions before delivery. Samples and specifications should define the expected appearance and performance.
Punch list
A documented list of incomplete, damaged, or nonconforming items identified near project completion for correction or resolution.
Continue with What Is Millwork?, the custom millwork specification guide, or CRMM’s Architectural Millwork service.
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